Siderski’s Top Five Shocking Boxing Moments of the Past 35 Years

By Dave “Mythical” Siderski (Who else would it be by?)

As smart as any of us might think we are, we never know what is around the corner. Life invariably throws us curveballs, some filled with ecstasy and excitement, others with pain and disappointment. In this respect, the world of sport is a great metaphor for life. We can theorize, analyze, speculate or argue as much as we want. Ultimately, no one knows the outcome until it’s decided on the field or in the boxing ring.

In 35 years of following boxing, I’ve been privileged to witness countless memorable moments, ranging from the glorious to the ignominious. The five moments that follow are the ones that stick out the most to me as the most shocking and completely unanticipated that I’ve ever witnessed.

#5) November 5th, 1994: Foreman KO’s Moorer

When a 38 year old George Foreman launched his comeback in March 1987 the boxing world scoffed. We snickered as a paunchy Foreman worked his way through the flotsam and jetsam of the Heavyweight ranks, scoring 23 consecutive victories (22 by stoppage). However, once big George went the distance with Evander Holyfield, no one was laughing.

Make no mistake about it he could still fight. Big George had reinvented himself both in and out of the ring. Foreman, no longer a reckless slugger, had learned patience and discipline in the ring while retaining the crushing power that destroyed Joe Frazier and Ken Norton. A surly, dour man in his youth, Big George was now the lovable character who pitched Foreman Grills and made jokes about training on cheeseburgers.

Fast forward to November 5th 1994. Now 45, Big George was a decided underdog against undefeated Heavyweight champion Michael Moorer. The younger, faster Moorer dominated the first 9 rounds. However, in the 10th, Big George struck with a thunderbolt straight right which left Moorer stretched out on the canvas. More than 20 years after losing the title to Ali in Zaire, George Foreman once again stood on top of the world as Heavyweight Champion, putting an exclamation point on perhaps the most improbable comeback in boxing history.

#4) December 8th, 2012: Marquez ices Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao has won world titles in eight world classes, ranging from 106 to 154. Starting with an 8th round stoppage win over Oscar De La Hoya, in December 2008, he went on an incredible run including dominant victories over Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Joshua Clottey, and Antonio Margarito. At that point, Pacquiao rivaled Floyd Mayweather, JR., as boxing’s biggest attraction.

By December 8th, 2012, a controversial decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez, along with a decision controversial decision loss to Timothy Bradley had taken some of the luster off Pacquiao star. Then came Pacquiao-Marquez IV. In retrospect, Manny may have been better off ducking Marquez, who had given him fits in three previous meetings. Pacquiao actually had the better of the match early. However, late in round 6, Marquez landed a devastating counter right. Manny keeled over face first, out cold.

The fact that Marquez beat Pacquiao may not have been that much of a surprise. However, the manner in which it happened was stunning. Floyd Mayweather, JR. had now gained definitive separation from Pacquiao as the best fighter in the world. His supremacy over Pacquiao was firmly etched in boxing history with his lopsided victory over Manny this past May 2nd.

#3) November 25th, 1980: Leonard-Duran II: “No Mas”

Roberto Duran is, arguably, boxing’s best fighter of the past 40 years. It is precisely his greatness, ferocity, and courage in the ring that make this particular moment incomprehensible.

Five months earlier, on June 20th, 1980, Leonard-Duran faced off in a classic aptly named the “Brawl in Montreal”. This was a special night which elevated the legacies of both men. Duran, with brilliant and ruthless aggression, defeated a man who would ultimately join him in the pantheon of boxing’s preeminent legends. At the same, Leonard established himself as a gritty, tenacious competitor who refused yield in the face of defeat.

If Leonard-Duran I was one of the greatest fights in boxing history, Leonard-Duran II was among its most bizarre. Sugar Ray wisely changed his strategy, choosing to box on the outside while Duran seemed to lack the fire he had five months earlier. The unthinkable occurred in the 8th round as an exasperated Duran turned his back in disgust and uttered the astonishing and infamous phrase: “No Mas”.

Only Duran himself really knows what was going through his head on that autumn evening in New Orleans. In any case, this was an aberration and should not take away from his legacy. Duran’s career exemplified greatness both before and after that fight. That said “No Mas” has to be among boxing’s most shocking moments ever, simply because it was so out of character for the legendary Duran.

#2) June 11, 1997: Holyfield- Tyson II: “The Ear Bite”

This story actually starts seven years earlier when Holyfield emerged at the top contender to Mike Tyson’s crown in 1990. Then a guy named Buster Douglas intervened and Mike was subsequently sent to prison which put an end to the potential matchup. Iron Mike subsequently returned to the ring in 1995 and picked up where he left off with a string of knockout victories.
Tyson and Holyfield finally signed to meet in November 1996, in what seemed a colossal mismatch. At age 34, coming off a stoppage loss to Riddick Bowe, Evander was considered to be shot. However, he apparently had more left than we realized, dominating and bullying Tyson, en-route to an 11th round stoppage.

Fast forward to June 1997, when Holyfield and Tyson faced off again in a rematch. The first two rounds were a repeat of the first fight with Holyfield manhandling Tyson. Then, in the third, an enraged Tyson, mistook Evander’s left ear for a piece of prime New York Sirloin and chomped away. Referee Mills Lane, presumably as shocked as anyone watching, penalized Tyson but allowed the fight to continue. A crazed looking Tyson repeated the action, biting Holyfield’s right ear. Lane was forced to issue a disqualification bringing an end to one of boxing’s most bizarre spectacles.

#1) February 11, 1990: Buster Douglas shocks the world

Some might forget how invincible Mike Tyson appeared to be in the late 1980’s. He combined the crushing power of George Foreman and Sonny Liston with hand speed unseen in the Heavyweight division since the days of Muhammad Ali. The incredible force of nature that was Tyson laid waste to the Heavyweight division like Samson among the Philistines.

It appeared that Iron Mike would rule the Heavyweight division for a long time to come. There was no one on the horizon who had any chance to beat him. Fast forward to the night of February 11th, 1990 at the Tokyo Dome. Tyson was defending against non-descript contender Buster Douglas, who had lost to the likes of: David Bey, Mike White, Jessie Ferguson, and Tony Tucker. Douglas was a 42-1 underdog according to the one Las Vegas casino that was willing to give odds on the fight.

Apparently, someone forgot to inform Buster of the futility of his challenge. Douglas showed no fear and dominated from the outset, winning round after round using his size and reach and landing hard shots that kept Mike off-balance. But Iron Mike was just too good to lose to this guy, of course he would take over at some point. In the 8th, he tantalized us, landing a vicious right uppercut that sent Douglas crumbling to the canvas.

However, it was mirage. Douglas quickly reassumed command. The end came in the 10th when landed a vicious combination concluding with a left that sent Mike to the canvas. The classic shot of Iron Mike grabbing for his mouthpiece will be a picture forever etched in boxing history. On a night that seemed more like a dream than reality, we had witnessed, arguably, the greatest upset in the history of sports.

Ok, so there is it, my top 5 shocking moments in boxing over the past 35 years. I’d like to hear what all of you intelligent and astute boxing fans out there think. Remember there is no, one right answer! It’s the discussion and debate that makes the process enjoyable! Thanks!

 

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