Rahman evokes memories of Douglas
April 20, 2001 – Some say altitude or poor preparation will play their part in South Africa tomorrow, but should 20-1 underdog Hasim Rahman rise to the occasion and defeat world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in Carnival City, his victory will rank as one of the greatest upsets in heavyweight history.
For many, this fight evokes memories of Mike Tyson vs Buster Douglas. Joe Queijo recalls that amazing night in Tokyo 11 years ago and the other great upsets that have thrilled and astonished in the heavyweight division.
John L. Sullivan vs James J. Corbett – September 7, 1892, New Orleans
John L. Sullivan was a man’s man. He could out-drink and out-brawl anyone. This bull of a man took the bareknuckle world title with a ninth round trouncing of Paddy Ryan, who he destroyed in one and three rounds respectively in return bouts.
The unbeaten Sullivan was held to a draw by England’s Charley Mitchell and fought an incredible 75 rounds with Jake Kilrain, who failed to come out for the 76th round. Sullivan became the first heavyweight champion of the modern era fighting with gloves under Queenbury rules. Sullivan was hugely popular in the US and was considered invincible by the American people.
James J. Corbett was wholly different. He was a bank clerk early in life while boxing as a hobby. This scientific fighter learned his trade quietly before facing noted black fighter Peter Jackson. Jackson was an excellent boxer, who Sullivan refused to meet because of his colour. After Corbett fought a tremendous battle with Jackson, grabbing a draw after 61 rounds, he got his big bout with Sullivan.
Sullivan attacked non-stop from the first bell. Corbett retreated in the early rounds, content to keep a distance from Sullivan’s bludgeoning fists. But the champion got progressively more tired as Corbett started to let his own blows fly and, in the 21st round, Corbett let loose a cracking left hook followed by a straight right which sent Sullivan tumbling to the canvas where he failed to rise.
Sullivan never fought again while Corbett was himself knocked out by Bob Fitzsimmons, and subsequently failed in two title shots against James J. Jeffries.
Max Baer vs James J. Braddock – June 13, 1935, Long Island.
Max Baer was one of heavyweights most colourful figures in and out of ring. He was bereft of the finer boxing skills, but was a courageous fighter with a bone-cracking right hand. He was outscored six times early in his career, but scored some notable kayos, chief among them was a 10th round hammering of former champ Max Schmeling. Baer had just floored brave Italian Primo Carnera 11 times en route to a 11th round kayo to win the world heavyweight title, before turning his attentions to the unsung Braddock.
The challenger was a quality light-heavy, who had failed in a title shot against the great Tommy Loughran. His career and life took a downturn when he lost 18 of his next 32 fights and was forced onto government welfare to support his family. He was brought in as cannon fodder for young prospect Corny Griffith, but scored an impressive third round kayo and two more victories led to his shot at Baer.
Baer expected to swat his smaller challenger away with one mighty blow and so clowned away all the early rounds. Yet Braddock kept his cool as his educated left jab kept finding its way home. Incredibly, he held off Baer’s late rounds rally to clinch the world title on points.
Braddock was renamed the “Cinderella Man” and even managed to floor Joe Louis before being kayoed. Baer was himself stopped in four by Louis, but managed to stop tough contender Tony Galento until two defeats by future Louis challenger Lou Nova finished his career.
Joe Louis vs Max Schmeling – June 19, 1936, New York.
Joe Louis, aka the Brown Bomber, was a heavyweight sensation. He had a pulverising jab; terrific punching power in both fists and was one of the best finishers of all time. He had 23 kayos in 27 wins on his undefeated ledger when he faced German hero Schmeling.
Schmeling had been the first fighter to win the world heavyweight title by disqualification. He did this against Jack Sharkey, then made one title defence before losing his belt on a horrendous decision to Sharkey. A 10th round kayo loss to Max Baer had all but finished his world title aspirations.
Schmeling told the world’s press beforehand that he had seen a chink in the Brown Bomber’s armour. He showed his talk wasn’t hype by flooring Louis with a cracking right hand counter in the fourth. Again and again, Schmeling countered Louis’ jab with a smashing right before finally winning in the 12th when a fearsome barrage sent Louis to the mat to be counted out.
Schmeling did not get his promised shot at Braddock. Louis, instead, kayoed the champion, but the two did finally meet again with Louis winning by a electrifying first round kayo. Louis would post 25 title successful defences, 22 inside the distance, and become an all-time great.
Larry Holmes vs Michael Spinks – September 21, 1985, Las Vegas.
Larry Holmes was one of the greatest heavyweights ever. He had a tremendous jab, fast right and a champion’s heart. He won the WBC title with a Herculean decision over Ken Norton and subsequently beat an old Muhammad Ali, along with future champions Mike Weaver, Trevor Berbick and Tim Witherspoon.
His 13th round knockout of undefeated white hope Gerry Cooney and off-the-floor kayo of Earnie Shavers were worthy clips from the champion’s highlight reel. Holmes was undefeated in 48 contests, with 20 title defences, and one fight away from equalling Rocky Marciano´s record of 49 straight wins when he met Michael Spinks.
Spinks was the undisputed world light-heavy champ and brother of former heavyweight champ Leon Spinks, who had been kayoed in three by Holmes. The undefeated Spinks had dominated the light-heavies without too much difficulty, but was not expected to last the 15 rounds against Holmes.
Yet Spinks fought superbly. Much like Braddock against Baer, he used his faster jab to outslick his heavier foe. Holmes fought hard in a close contest, but found it hard to pierce Spinks´ tricky defence and lost a bitterly-disputed split decision.
A rematch saw Holmes nearly stop Spinks, but again lose on points in a bout he deserved to win. Spinks then kayoed a comebacking Cooney, but was massacred himself in 91 seconds by Mike Tyson. Holmes also got kayoed by Tyson, but later defeated unbeaten Ray Mercer and lasted the distance against Holyfield.
Mike Tyson vs Buster Douglas – February 11, 1990, Tokyo.
Mike Tyson galvanised the world boxing scene by becoming undisputed heavyweight champion and destroying all his rivals with frightening ease.
Buster Douglas, on the other hand, was merely considered a competent foe. Yes, he had an excellent jab and straight right, but his chin and stamina were both considered highly suspect. After all, he had been kayoed by David Bey, journeyman Mike White and Tony Tucker in an abortive attempt at the vacant IBF crown.
Spurred on by the recent death of his mother, Douglas fought a tremendous bout. He bullied Tyson from the outset and found “Iron Mike” easy to hit with his superb jab. Tyson was clearly losing when he suddenly felled Douglas with a vicious right uppercut at the close of the eighth.
The challenger was given a long count and survived, but showed his recuperative powers by staggering Tyson in the ninth and then flooring him with a cracking uppercut of his own in the 10th. Tyson barely rose and was rightfully stopped by referee Octavio Meyran in a simply stunning triumph for the huge underdog.
Douglas lost his crown in three dismal rounds to Evander Holyfield later that year and soon retired. He fell into a coma from too much sugar intake, but recovered to return to the ring. He scored some impressive looking victories, but was then shockingly kayoed in a round by Lou Savarese.
Tyson, who was since won and lost the WBC and WBA heavyweight crowns, is still active today and hoping to secure a crack at world champion Lennox Lewis.
Hasim Rahman, of course, will have other ideas. |
