By Jonah Sharf On August 11, 1984, the late “Sweet Pea” Pernell Whitaker won the lightweight gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics. Whitaker went on to win world championships in four different weight classes in his professional career. From 1993 to 1997, The Ring magazine ranked him as the best active pound for pound…
Category: Boxing
Today in Sports History: June 28
By Jonah Sharf On June 28, 1997, Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield’s ear during the third round of their rematch. The penalty resulted in his immediate disqualification, and he was not able to return to boxing until January of 1999. The bite was purportedly a retaliation to Holyfield’s headbutts during the first fight, which Tyson…
Today in Sports History: May 2
By Michael Romanelli On May 2nd, 2015, the “Fight of the Century” between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao took place. Going into the fight with a very defensive strategy, Mayweather made it difficult for Pacquiao to land his punches. The fight would go a full twelve rounds, with Floyd winning via unanimous decision. To…
Today in Sports History: February 25
By Jonah Sharf On February 25, 1964, Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, defeated Sonny Liston by technical knockout, winning the heavyweight boxing title for the first time. A heavy underdog (7-to-1), Clay was just 22 years old going against the far more experienced Liston, handing him just the second loss of his career….
Today in Sports History: February 11
By Jonah Sharf On February 11, 1990, Buster Douglas, a 42-1 underdog, knocked out Mike Tyson in the 10th round of their 12-round fight to complete one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. While always thought of as a decent fighter, Douglas was given practically no chance by oddsmakers, writers, and fans alike, as…
Today in Sports History: December 3
By Jonah Sharf On December 3, 1982, Thomas Hearns beat Wilfred Benitez by majority decision to win the WBC and vacant The Ring light middleweight/super welterweight titles. This came a little over a year after losing his welterweight title to Sugar Ray Leonard, and he defended his titles for two years until he moved up…
Today in Sports History: November 6
By Jonah Sharf On November 6, 1993, Evander Holyfield defeated Riddick Bowe in a 12-round decision in their second fight, winning the WBA, IBF, and lineal heavyweight titles. Despite the intense fight and a championship title changing hands, the fight wasn’t the biggest story that night. Instead, the majority of the media and fan attention…
Today in Sports History: November 5
By Jonah Sharf On November 5, 1994, George Foreman won the WBA, IBF, and lineal heavyweight titles by defeating Michael Moorer by knockout in the 10th round. With the win Foreman became the oldest world champion in heavyweight boxing history, a claim he still holds today—the title of oldest world champion in any weight class…
Today in Sports History: October 29
On October 29, 1960, Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, made his professional boxing debut. Clay won by a unanimous decision in six rounds. Clay would go on to win the heavyweight title and shortly thereafter changed his name to Ali. Ali is considered to be one of the greatest boxers of all time,…
Today in Sports History: October 25
By Jonah Sharf On October 25, 1990, Evander Holyfield knocked out Buster Douglas to win the undisputed heavyweight title. Holyfield was initially expected to fight Mike Tyson for the title, but Douglas beat Tyson in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, winning the championship. Holyfield took advantage of this, knocking out Douglas in…
