Anthony Joshua will bid to reclaim his unified world heavyweight titles in a mouthwatering rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia on December 7.
The 30-year-old was dealt a major blow when he fell to his first professional defeat against Ruiz in June, dropping to the canvas four times before being stopped by the Mexican in round seven at Madison Square Garden.
Joshua has the opportunity to right the wrongs of that defeat when he goes head-to-head with Ruiz Jr at the Diriyah Arena – a purpose-built venue designed specifically for this encounter.
Date: February 26, 1964
Result: Liston retired Round 7
Liston was a real force to be reckoned at this period in time, with his punching power, strength and tenacity giving him the edge over his opponents.
He had been beaten just once and was heavyweight champion heading into this bout, having quite literally destroyed Floyd Patterson inside one round for the belts.
However, now standing in Liston’s way was a straight-talking confident young man, and Clay (before he became Muhammad Ali) made his intentions clear heading into this bout.
Mind games were aplenty heading into this fight with Clay continuously taunting Liston, boasting he would knock him out in eight.
And that he did. After taking a brutal beating in the sixth round, Liston retired on his stool at the beginning of the next round, citing a shoulder injury as his reason for pulling out.
Clay then famously told the media: “I am the greatest.”
4. Hasim Rahman def. Lennox Lewis
Date: April 22, 2001
Result: Round 5 KO
Much like Joshua now, Lewis had his eye on taking over the heavyweight division once and for all, with a mega-money bout on the horizon.
First up he had to overcome Rahman, who many expected wouldn’t last long in the ring against the formidable champion.
How wrong could that be. For Lewis, history ended up repeating itself having suffered another shock defeat seven years earlier against Oliver McCall.
In the build-up to the fight, the Brit was busy filming for Ocean’s Eleven and therefore arrived to South Africa later than planned – failing to adjust to the altitude and his complacency ultimately proved costly.
Rahman was ready and when Lewis’ guard had been lowered he landed a thunderous overhand right in the fifth to knock the Brit out.
3. Evander Holyfield def. Mike Tyson
Date: Nov. 9, 1996
Result: Round 11 TKO
This highly anticipated bout should have happened five years earlier, but Tyson pulled out through injury before his subsequent imprisonment in 1992.
‘Iron Mike’ had won four times since his release, capturing the WBC and WBA belts, as he plotted a way back to the top of the heavyweight division.
Meanwhile, Holyfield went into the bout in very much mixed form, having been knocked out by Riddick Bowe in their trilogy bout and labouring to a win over Bobby Czyz.
The ‘Real Deal’ was a 25-1 underdog, but looked cool and composed, eventually stopping a helpless Tyson in the 11th round to win and become a three-time heavyweight champion.
2. Andy Ruiz Jr def. Anthony Joshua
Date: June 1, 2019
Result: Round 7 TKO
The overwhelming favourite heading into this fight, Joshua was looking to put on an impressive show on his US debut.
Carlos Takam, Joseph Parker, Dillian Whyte and Wladimir Klitschko had all previously been dispatched, with a unification clash with Deontay Wilder on the horizon – should he get the better of Ruiz.
Ruiz Jr was ridiculed for his big physique heading into the fight, with Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, making ‘chubby’ jibes at the Mexican and questioning the condition he was in.
The 30-year-old had the last laugh though, defying the odds to get back off the canvas in round three and floor Joshua twice in quick succession.
In round seven, he would display his quick hands and ferocious power to land a onslaught of punches that put Joshua down again, before the referee called a halt to the action.
Eddie Hearn adds context to No Context Hearn vids
1. Buster Douglas def. Mike Tyson
Date: Feb. 11, 1990
Result: Round 10 KO
This undoubtedly remains the biggest upset in boxing history.
Tyson was simply the best. Heading into this fight he looked untouchable. In 37 fights no-one had got close to him, and the one-punch knockout power he possessed was truly spectacular.
Larry Holmes, Trevor Berbick and Michael Spinks all came and they failed. It was hard to think of anyone who could step in the ring and give Tyson some problems to deal with – let alone beat him.
Douglas’ mother, who would prove to be the inspiration for his win, was so worried about her son getting seriously hurt in the fight she tried (and failed) to talk him out of facing ‘the baddest man on the planet.’
While training hadn’t gone according to plan, with Tyson looking sluggish by his normal standards, he was still expected to win.
Douglas, a 42-1 underdog, gave those inside the Tokyo Dome a night they would never forget as he dominated Tyson with his jab and skill throughout the bout.
He even survived a knockdown in the eighth, with an extended count, to unleash a brutal uppercut in the 10th, followed by a four-punch combination to stun Tyson and change the boxing landscape forever.
