When fighters of clearly different levels face each other, it’s not unusual for the bout to turn into a true boxing lesson, with the more skilled athlete completely dismantling his opponent and preventing him from mounting any effective offense. It’s much rarer, however, for such a scenario to unfold between boxers of proven world-class level: fights that, on paper, promise balance and uncertainty but end up being shockingly one-sided. Today, we dive into the world of unexpected boxing masterclasses with this list of ten incredible humiliations between top fighters!
Gene Tunney defeats Jack Dempsey (September 23, 1926)
Three years had passed since Jack Dempsey’s last fight, yet in the public’s eyes the Manassa Mauler was still an unbeatable superstar. Former light heavyweight Gene Tunney, despite his impressive record, arrived in Philadelphia as the clear underdog. A dominant performance was expected—but from the wrong man. Tunney outclassed Dempsey and took away his World Heavyweight Title.
Roy Jones Jr defeats James Toney (November 18, 1994)
When the #2 and #3 pound-for-pound fighters in the world face off, one would expect a competitive contest. But Toney underestimated Jones, believing he was “all flash and no substance.” He lived recklessly, ballooned in weight, and had to shed an enormous amount just before the fight. The result was a one-sided beating capped by a humiliating knockdown.
Lennox Lewis defeats David Tua (November 11, 2000)
Despite his outstanding career and unified world titles, Lewis still hadn’t fully convinced the American audience before his highly anticipated clash with the fearsome Samoan puncher. Although the champion entered as the favorite, many believed Tua had a real shot at an upset. Instead, Lewis never let him into the fight: he kept him at bay with his long reach and effortlessly won nearly every round.
Floyd Mayweather Jr defeats Diego Corrales (January 20, 2001)
Looking back, it seems hard to believe that there was real uncertainty surrounding the outcome of Mayweather vs Corrales—but there was. Known as one of the most devastating single-punch hitters of his era, Chico Corrales saw all his confidence melt away as Floyd, who was very explosive in the super featherweight division, dropped him five times and forced his corner to throw in the towel.
Joe Calzaghe defeats Jeff Lacy (March 4, 2006)
The label of “paper champion” was one Calzaghe often had to endure from superficial observers, especially in the USA. His 17 defenses of the WBO title had left many skeptics waiting for the Welshman’s real test, and Jeff Lacy, famous for his deadly left hook, was expected to expose the supposed fraud. Instead, fans witnessed one of the most dominant performances of the Italian Dragon’s career!
Carl Froch defeats Arthur Abraham (November 27, 2010)
The only loss on the record of the rugged German puncher of Armenian descent had come controversially by disqualification against Andre Dirrell. His clash with Nottingham’s Cobra, held on neutral ground in Helsinki, promised an explosive and unpredictable battle. Surprisingly, Carl Froch shook off his reputation as a crude brawler, masterfully controlled the distance, and completely outboxed his highly regarded opponent.
Devon Alexander defeats Marcos Maidana (February 25, 2012)
The last time Alexander truly lived up to his nickname “The Great” coincided with the worst performance of Maidana’s career. Constantly beaten to the punch by his opponent’s faster hands, the fearsome Argentine slugger endured a nightmare night—taking shot after shot, flirting with a knockdown several times, and failing to mount any real offense for ten rounds. What was supposed to be a competitive bout turned into a one-sided boxing lesson.
Floyd Mayweather Jr defeats Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (September 14, 2013)
In a fight remembered for one of the most absurd scorecards in boxing history (CJ Ross’s 114–114), Canelo completely failed to showcase his talent, repeatedly outclassed and even ridiculed by the vastly more experienced Mayweather. For twelve rounds, the Mexican looked lost, outdone in every department by a boxing genius who controlled him both in the center of the ring and against the ropes—yet another masterclass from a ring deity.
Oleksandr Usyk defeats Murat Gassiev (July 21, 2018)
The anticipation for the WBSS cruiserweight final was immense. Held in Moscow before a massive crowd at the Olympic Stadium, the fight featured two outstanding champions vying for all four world titles. But the balance predicted by bookmakers never materialized: Usyk delivered a one-man show, stealing the spotlight from the local hero and silencing the entire arena.
Terence Crawford defeats Errol Spence (July 29, 2023)
Two unbeaten world champions, long pursued by fans eager for their long-awaited clash. Crawford entered as the favorite according to most experts, but even those picking him to win expected a close and grueling contest. Instead, Bud produced a breathtaking display of dominance—dropping Spence three times and scoring a ninth-round TKO without ever letting him into the fight.