Boxing in this year delivered its share of “can’t miss” matchups, but nothing set social media debates ablaze quite like these three jaw-dropping upsets. So, let’s take a closer look at how these shockers played out:
Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. Tim Tszyu
We all assumed that Tim Tszyu, fresh off multiple signature wins, would keep rolling in the junior middleweight division. But Bakhram Murtazaliev had other ideas. Despite Tszyu’s body attack, Murtazaliev boxed beautifully behind a punishing jab and initiative changed very quickly with 3 knockdowns in the 2nd round. In the 3rd round, Murtazaliev unleashed heavy combinations that ended in a dramatic stoppage - delivering a major shake-up in a weight class already brimming with talent.
Watch Murtazaliev vs. Tszyu highlights: Watch
Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois
If the heavyweight division thrives on spectacle, this fight was a perfect example. Anthony Joshua came in as a veteran of mega-events, while Daniel Dubois was a younger contender with raw power yet to be fully tested. Early on, Joshua looked composed, but it all changed very quickly when already in the first round Dubois got a knockdown. Then came the moment that changed everything: Dubois landed a thunderous overhand right in the middle rounds, sending AJ crashing to the canvas. The stunning knockout turned the O2 Arena into a frenzy.
Watch Joshua vs. Dubois highlights: Watch
Jaime Munguia vs. Bruno Surace
On paper, Jaime Munguia was on the hunt for marquee showdowns at super middleweight - until he collided with Bruno Surace, a French underdog few had on their radar. The early rounds saw Munguia doing enough to edge ahead on the scorecards, even scoring a knockdown against his opponent, but Surace refused to back down, trading with the harder-hitting Mexican star. In a single moment Surace unleashed a right hand that dropped Munguia cold, scoring one of the year’s most spectacular upsets. That single punch altered the trajectory of both fighters, giving Surace newfound clout and leaving Munguia back at the drawing board.
Watch Munguia vs. Surace highlights: Watch
Each of these upsets serves as a testament to boxing’s enduring unpredictability. In each bout, the favorite initially looked comfortable - until they weren’t. If this past year taught us anything, it’s that even the brightest stars can fade under the right (or wrong) punch, and that a true underdog story never goes out of style.
Image Credit: Top Rank