Top 10 Craziest Moments in the History of Boxing
Boxing is often referred to as “the sweet science,” but it’s also one of the most unpredictable and chaotic sports in the world. Over its long history, professional boxing has been the stage for some truly bizarre, shocking, and downright crazy events. From in-ring madness to out-of-the-ring controversies, here are some of the wildest moments that have left an indelible mark on the sport.
1. Mike Tyson Bites Evander Holyfield’s Ear (1997)
One of the most infamous incidents in sports history occurred on June 28, 1997, during the highly anticipated rematch between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. The bout was dubbed “The Sound and the Fury,” but no one could have predicted the extent of the chaos that would unfold.
In the third round, frustrated by Holyfield’s headbutts (which Tyson believed were intentional), Tyson shocked the world by biting off a piece of Holyfield’s right ear. The fight was stopped momentarily, and after the action resumed, Tyson bit Holyfield’s other ear. The fight was then halted, and Tyson was disqualified, leading to one of the most controversial endings in boxing history. Tyson’s actions resulted in a $3 million fine and a suspension from boxing, but the incident remains a defining moment of his career.
2. The Long Count: Dempsey vs. Tunney (1927)
The “Long Count” is one of the most debated and iconic moments in boxing history. On September 22, 1927, heavyweight champion Gene Tunney faced former champion Jack Dempsey in a rematch of their 1926 bout. In the seventh round, Dempsey knocked Tunney down with a vicious combination. However, instead of immediately going to a neutral corner, Dempsey stood over Tunney, delaying the referee’s count.
Once Dempsey finally moved to the neutral corner, the referee began his count, which gave Tunney extra time to recover. Tunney managed to get up at the count of nine and went on to win the fight by unanimous decision. The controversy over whether Tunney should have been counted out or not still sparks debates among boxing historians.
3. The Fan Man Incident (1993)
On November 6, 1993, during the heavyweight championship bout between Riddick Bowe and Evander Holyfield at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, an unexpected and bizarre interruption occurred. As the two fighters were battling in the seventh round, a man on a powered paraglider, later dubbed the “Fan Man,” suddenly descended into the outdoor arena and crash-landed on the ring ropes.
The parachutist, later identified as James Miller, was quickly pulled out of the ring by security and beaten by members of the crowd. The fight was halted for 21 minutes while the situation was brought under control. Despite the disruption, the bout resumed, and Holyfield won the fight by majority decision. The Fan Man incident remains one of the most surreal moments in boxing history.
4. The No Mas Fight: Duran vs. Leonard II (1980)
The rematch between Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard on November 25, 1980, was one of the most anticipated fights of the decade. In their first encounter, Duran had handed Leonard his first professional loss, winning the WBC welterweight title. However, the second fight would end in one of the most shocking and puzzling moments in boxing.
In the eighth round, Duran suddenly turned his back to Leonard and waved his glove, uttering the now-famous words, “No más,” meaning “No more.” Duran’s decision to quit the fight stunned the crowd and left many questions unanswered. Later, Duran claimed he was suffering from stomach cramps, but the exact reason for his surrender remains a topic of debate. Leonard was awarded the victory, and the “No Mas Fight” became a part of boxing lore.
5. Mitch Green vs. Mike Tyson: The Street Fight (1988)
On August 23, 1988, former heavyweight contender Mitch “Blood” Green confronted Mike Tyson outside of a clothing store in Harlem, New York. The two had fought in the ring two years earlier, with Tyson winning by unanimous decision. However, Green, who had been a vocal critic of Tyson since their bout, sought to settle the score outside of the ring.
The altercation quickly escalated into a street fight, with Green reportedly taunting Tyson before throwing a punch. Tyson, never one to back down, responded with a powerful right hand that shattered Green’s nose and closed his eye. The brawl became a tabloid sensation, and Green later filed a lawsuit against Tyson, seeking damages for the injuries he sustained.
6. The Riots of Madison Square Garden (1996)
On March 11, 1996, Madison Square Garden was the scene of one of the most chaotic nights in boxing history. The fight between Riddick Bowe and Andrew Golota was supposed to be a showcase for Bowe, but Golota had other plans. Throughout the fight, Golota repeatedly hit Bowe with low blows, drawing warnings from the referee.
In the seventh round, after yet another low blow, the referee finally disqualified Golota. The decision sparked a riot inside the arena, as members of Bowe’s entourage stormed the ring and attacked Golota and his team. Chairs, fists, and bottles were thrown, and the melee quickly spread to the crowd. It took police nearly half an hour to restore order, and dozens of people were injured in the brawl.
7. James “Buster” Douglas Knocks Out Mike Tyson (1990)
The biggest upset in boxing history occurred on February 11, 1990, when James “Buster” Douglas, a 42-1 underdog, shocked the world by knocking out the seemingly invincible Mike Tyson in the tenth round. Tyson, who had been undefeated and had demolished all his previous opponents, was expected to make quick work of Douglas.
However, Douglas fought the fight of his life, outboxing and outlanding Tyson from the opening bell. In the eighth round, Tyson landed a powerful uppercut that knocked Douglas down, but Douglas got back up and continued to fight. In the tenth round, Douglas landed a brutal combination that floored Tyson for the first time in his career. Tyson was unable to beat the count, and Douglas was crowned the new heavyweight champion. The upset sent shockwaves through the boxing world and remains one of the sport’s most incredible moments.
8. The Gloves Controversy: Luis Resto vs. Billy Collins Jr. (1983)
One of the most disturbing incidents in boxing history occurred on June 16, 1983, when Luis Resto fought Billy Collins Jr. at Madison Square Garden. Collins, an undefeated prospect, was expected to win the fight, but Resto dominated him, inflicting severe damage over ten rounds. After the fight, Collins’ trainer, who was also his father, shook hands with Resto and noticed that Resto’s gloves felt unusually thin.
It was later discovered that Resto’s trainer, Panama Lewis, had removed the padding from Resto’s gloves, turning them into dangerous weapons. Collins suffered permanent eye damage from the fight and was never able to box again. The scandal led to criminal charges, and both Resto and Lewis were banned from boxing. Tragically, Collins died in a car accident less than a year later, a death many believe was related to the trauma he suffered in the fight.
9. The Riot at the Battle of the Bay (1982)
The “Battle of the Bay” was the nickname given to the fight between Salvador Sánchez, the WBC featherweight champion, and Azumah Nelson, a relatively unknown fighter from Ghana, on July 21, 1982. The fight, held at Madison Square Garden, was supposed to be a showcase for Sánchez, but it turned into a war.
Nelson, a late replacement for another fighter, gave Sánchez everything he could handle. The bout was closely contested, with both fighters exchanging brutal blows. Sánchez eventually won by TKO in the fifteenth round, but the real chaos came afterward. Fans of Nelson, frustrated by what they perceived as a premature stoppage, began to riot, throwing chairs and causing a massive brawl in the stands. The event highlighted the passion and intensity of boxing fans and remains one of the wildest post-fight scenes in the sport’s history.
10. The Chavez-Taylor Controversy (1990)
The March 17, 1990, fight between Julio César Chávez and Meldrick Taylor for the WBC light welterweight title is considered one of the greatest and most controversial bouts in boxing history. Taylor, a brilliant boxer with incredible hand speed, outboxed Chávez for most of the fight and was ahead on the scorecards heading into the final round.
However, Chávez, known for his relentless pressure, continued to pursue Taylor, landing punishing shots in the later rounds. In the final seconds of the twelfth round, Chávez knocked Taylor down with a powerful right hand. Taylor got up at the count of six, but the referee, Richard Steele, controversially stopped the fight with just two seconds remaining, giving Chávez the win by TKO. The decision was met with outrage, as many believed Taylor deserved to win based on his performance throughout the fight. The controversy surrounding the stoppage is still debated today.
Conclusion
Boxing is a sport filled with drama, excitement, and unpredictability, but some moments go beyond the expected and enter the realm of the truly crazy. Whether it’s in-ring antics, shocking upsets, or post-fight chaos, these events have become legendary, adding to the rich and sometimes bizarre tapestry of boxing history. These moments remind
