In the recent bout, a record crowd of 96,000 at Wembley Arena, Wembley, UK, Saturday saw former heavyweight champion and Olympic Gold Medalist ‘AJ’ Anthony Joshua (28-4) upset by IBF interim champion Daniel ‘Dynamite’ Dubois, 22-2, by knockout in 5 rounds.
In their pre-fight press conference, Joshua stood up and challenged Dubois, causing an uproar. Dubois stood his ground when the press conference was called off. Little did Joshua know that days later, due to his arrogance, he would be knocked out by Dubois.
Speaking of heavyweight fights in the past in September of 1985, Heavyweight Champion Larry ‘The Easton Assassin’ Holmes was 48-0, and was about to equal Rocky Marciano’s record of 49-0 with a win over Light Heavyweight Champion Michael ‘ Jinx’ Spinks , 27-0, over 15 rounds.
It was Ring Magazine’s 1985 Upset of the Year. Afterwards, the arrogant Holmes said, “Marciano couldn’t wear my jockstrap!” Nothing about Spinks beating him!
In March 1971, former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali went 31-0 after returning from 3 years of enforced inactivity due to the New York commission taking away his license and when he was reinstated after a few wins Ali signed to reclaim his title at another Olympics. Gold medalist who then held the heavyweight title in “Smokin” Joe Frazier, 26-0, at Madison Square Garden, New York.
In the fifteenth and final round, Ali trailed in rounds 8-6, 9-6 and 11-4, needing a knockout. It was Frazier who dropped Ali in the first minute of the round, though it was Frazier who had swelling around both eyes almost closed by the end, per ring commentator who said after the fight, “Frazier is sitting on his chair looking sick ” when it was announced he was the winner. He was later taken to a hospital. Ali, who suffered his first defeat, had a swollen jaw but was not taken to a hospital.
Joshua, Holmes and Ali’s arrogance overtook them in defeat.
