Hector Camacho got shaken by Edwin Rosario and instantly went from a blazing speed merchant who would stand and trade to a full-on runner for the rest of his (highly successful) career. Can anyone think of any other fighters who had their career arc changed by a single punch, either one that he took or one that he landed?
tarver's entire career is really down to one punch against jones douglas' career essentially ended with one right hand by holyfield cooper's legacy comes down to one left hook though i wouldn't say it changed his career liston's legacy is forever tarnished by a right hand anchor punch by ali was ken buchanan the same after the duran nut shot?
A case could be made for the overhand right by Earnie Shavers that put Holmes down in their title fight. Larry getting up from that (and going on to win, obviously) gained him a lot of popular acceptance as being a 'real' champ in his own right and got him out from under the shadow of Ali -- at least much farther out than he had been. That punch allowed him to become his own man and be perceived as a worthy champ.
Rahman's right hand detonated on Lewis' chin... Curry taking that left hook from McCallum spelled the end, whether it was directly or indirectly responsible for Curry's tailspin. The dozen(s) of punches Zarate landed on Zamora changed Zamora forever... He went from an undefeated knockout puncher to a guy barely treading water... That was it for him. Curry landing that left hook on McCrory... He wasn't the same after that...
I don't think Curry's kayo of McCory really counts. Milton was nothing special going in, despite his title strap. After that loss he became a sort of Chop Chop Corley of his era. On the other hand, Juan Meza vs Jaime Garza does qualify.
Yeah that McCrory was being groomed as potentially special I thought... He was an undefeated Kronk fighter with serious potential and got iced.... That Meza-Garza fight I still need to see.... I've read about it of course...
Weaver knocking out Tate the way he did ruined that guy's career. To a smaller extent, Douglas landing that combo on Tyson and putting him in a heap was definately a pivotal point in his career and the end of rising up the mountain. It was going to be sliding down the mountain time. Another one that comes to mind is Big George landing that uppercut and Knocking Smoking Joe off his feet. It really was amazing for anyone seeing it live at the time. He kept getting up, but that punch changed his career and nothing was ever easy for Frazier again. He became a whole different level of fighter after that big shot.
Nobody mentions Marciano? Also wouldn't call it career changing but Benitez KOing Hope with that right
Froch last seconds of the 12th against Taylor if he had lost that he wouldn't of gone in the super six i think.
Michael Moorer against George Foreman. Instead of being the beast at lightheavy that he was and instead of being an exciting heavyweight fighter due to his vulnerability and hard punching, he is remembered as the guy who Foreman beat to regain the title at age 45.
Cuevas being sent to the canvas by that overhand right by Hearns. He got up but fight was stopped and he was never the same. He went from a holy terror to a mediocrity despite still being in his early 20's.
The right hand Larry Holmes hit Gerry Cooney with in the second round.Poor Gerry never truly recovered.