Worst Boxing History Fouls: Although boxing is sometimes referred to as a gentleman’s sport, not all boxers are kind people. Because combatants must abide by regulations and are limited to using their fists as weapons, the sport was labelled as gentleman’s only. It was therefore thought of as a more advanced fighting technique.
A fighter that feels overpowered by their opponent’s skill level frequently fouls. Usually, the goal of illegal shots is to throw off the opponent’s momentum and alter the course of a battle.
The Top 10 Most Adverse Fauls In Boxing History
Are you ready to find out who and what the worst fouls in boxing history were? Let’s begin working through our list.
1) Richard Grant vs. James Butler
These two clashed in 2001 during a benefit function organised for American victims of the 9/11 attacks. Butler took off his gloves, lost the bout by majority decision, and then did one of the most despicable things in boxing history: he sucker punched Grant.
The worst thing was that, as is common in boxing after fights, he claimed he was getting closer to Grant to exchange pleasantries and congratulate him on winning. Rather, Butler delivered a powerful overhand right-hand blow to Grant, knocking him down cold.
Grant’s jaw was dislocated and his tongue was cut by the hit. Butler served four months in prison after being rightfully charged with criminal assault for the unlawful punch. The fact that Butler had no other explanation for the attack beyond being a bitter loser was what infuriated the fans more than the punch itself.
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2) Jack Britton vs Benny Leonard
One of the strangest fouls in boxing history brought the match to a conclusion. Many people thought Leonard was intentionally trying to get disqualified since it was so absurd. Throughout the battle, Briton had the better of the exchanges, and when Leonard floored him with a strong body shot, it seemed like he was winning.
As the referee began counting, Britton stayed on one knee to gather his composure. Leonard struck Britton in the head with an unexpected lunge, causing the referee to rule him out. The most reasonable explanation led to the rapid spread of accusations that Leonard had been told to dive.
3) Roy Jones Jr. Vs. Montell Griffin
When RJJ faced Gryphon to defend the WBC light heavyweight championship, he was 34-0, and many were anticipating another spectacular outcome. Nevertheless, early in the bout, Gryphon led the scorecards and appeared to be headed for an upset.
But in the tenth round, Jones dropped Gryphon with a huge right hand that left him clumsy. Gryphon chose to take a knee in an attempt to regain consciousness, but Jones appeared displeased by this and pummelling him with two illegal blows. Jones was disqualified for it and suffered his first defeat as a professional boxer.
4) Floyd Mayweather Jr. Vs. Victor Ortiz
Towards the close of the fourth round of their 2011 title match, Victor Ortiz gave Mayweather some of the most obvious headbutts in recent boxing history. The moment the action halted, referee Joe Cortez took off Ortiz’s point.
Ortiz attempted to apologise to Mayweather by keeping his hands down, but Cortez signalled for the fight to continue. Floyd made eye contact with Ortiz once before unleashing a devastating left hook-overhand combo that left him unconscious. Because of how filthy Ortiz fought, many boxing fans thought he deserved it, making it one of the most contentious moments in history. However, a lot of boxing aficionados thought Mayweather’s shot was cheap.
5) Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Marco Antonio Barrera
When Barrera countered right to put Marquez on his hands and knees, the 2007 bout between the two ended in dispute. Barrera briefly appeared to be considering his next move as he stood over Marquez but then struck him with another right hand.
Barrera lost a point and the original knockdown was waived off for the infraction. Later, Marquez prevailed in a ruling.
6) Zab Judah Vs. Floyd Mayweather
While Judah had a strong start against Floyd, throughout the second half of the bout, things began to go wrong for him. displeased that Mayweather performed better than him. Judah gave Floyd a low blow and then punched him in the back of the head.
Floyd’s uncle, Roger Mayweather, was already in the ring when the referee abruptly stopped the fight. One of the boxing world’s most iconic events resulted from the ensuing brawl. And then they resumed the fight.
7) Evander Holyfield Vs. Mike Tyson II
When Holyfield defeated Mike Tyson in their first fight, it was the biggest victory of Holyfield’s career, and their rematch was eagerly awaited. The majority of that battle was also controlled by Holyfield, which made Tyson angry and bite his ear. Tyson’s boxing licence was suspended as a result of the violation.
8) Andrew Golota II vs. Riddick Bowein
It’s possible that this is the first instance in boxing history where a boxer delivered three straight low strikes. It was even more confusing because Golota was disqualified for low blows in their previous bout. He was given a DQ for the groyne shots.
9) Ken Buchanan vs Roberto Duran
In one of the dirtiest fights in boxing history, Duran committed practically every conceivable infraction, and aside from a warning, he got away with almost everything. The most significant foul of the thirteenth round was a low blow that completed flush. Because Buchanan was unable to come out of the 14th round due to the punch, Duran won by controversial TKO.
10) Freddie Norwood vs. Derrick Gainer
The referee lost control of the ring multiple times throughout this battle, resulting in numerous fouls. Though the two fighters exchanged illegal attacks, it was Gainer’s low punch that ended the fight, with the referee holding Norwood.
Gainer was shockingly not disqualified by the referee, and Norwood was unable to recover. Rather, he gave him the technical knockout victory.
These are the 10 Worst Boxing History Fouls. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.