Taking a slight twist from this Calzaghe/Jones free-for-all... When has there been an example of a fighter widely recognised as "shot" before a fight, come out and beaten his opponent? Was Foreman considered "shot" when he won the title at 40-something? The most obvious example I can think of is the "Rumble in the Jungle". Was Ali "shot" or just a severe underdog?
Not shot, but no one gave Sugar Ray Leonard a chance against Hagler. Despite not winning, some could say De La Hoya put on a performance no one expected him too, I scored that fight a draw. Oleg Maskaev vs Rahman is a good example. Holyfield vs Tyson and then the second Lewis fight. Hopkins vs Winky, then Hopkins vs Tarver - again, people calling him past it and he still dominated.
I was getting ready for a few Hopkins fans to pipe up with "Hopkins vs Calzaghe" as an example by claiming Hopkins won.
