Getting knocked down and getting back in the fight is no easy feat: the crowd is deafening, your game plan is thrown out the window, and your opponent is aggressively searching for the finishing blow. Yet, boxing history is filled with indomitable warriors who, despite being floored multiple times in a brutal battle, managed to turn the tide and be declared the victor. Today, we’re highlighting particularly memorable feats by presenting a list of 10 fighters who triumphed after being knocked down at least three times!
Wladimir Klitschko defeats Samuel Peter (2005)
The famous Ukrainian boxer was still perfecting his new defensive style when he faced the undefeated “Nigerian Nightmare.” Having been stopped three times before, Klitschko risked another defeat after being knocked down twice in the fifth round and once in the tenth. However, he managed to limit the damage and survive. Peter, who had lost most of the remaining rounds and failed to finish Klitschko, lost by unanimous decision.
Archie Moore defeats Yvon Durelle (1958)
In an unforgettable night for him, the “Fighting Fisherman” came close to making history multiple times, knocking down the legendary Archie Moore four times in total—three of those in the very first round. However, “The Old Mongoose” showed tremendous heart, weathered the storm, and knocked out Durelle in the 11th round.
Robert Talarek defeats Patryk Szymanski (2019)
This bloody Polish derby left the crowd at the Spodek Arena in Katowice speechless. A total of ten knockdowns marked a knockdown-fest that initially favored the younger Szymanski, who knocked down Talarek four times in the first two rounds. But the experienced Talarek gradually wore down his more fragile opponent, knocking him out in the fifth round.
Marcos Maidana defeats Victor Ortiz (2009)
In one of the most explosive and thrilling fights in recent decades, Maidana and Ortiz, both rising stars at the time, traded heavy blows. After both fighters hit the canvas in the first round, Ortiz gained the upper hand, knocking down Maidana twice in the second round. But “El Chino” wasn’t discouraged—he fought back and forced Ortiz to quit.
Fidel Bassa defeats Dave McAuley (1987)
This memorable fight for the Colombian’s WBA flyweight world title had it all. Knocked down and injured early, McAuley, spurred on by the Belfast crowd, fought his way back, flooring the champion once in the third round and twice in the ninth. Bassa, with almost unreal recovery skills, never stopped fighting and broke down the tough Northern Irishman in the 13th round.
Jozsef Nagy defeats Zack Mwekassa (2008)
Hungarian Jozsef Nagy, who started as a middleweight and bulked up to heavyweight, won’t be remembered by most boxing fans. However, his unexpected victory in South Africa against Congolese Mwekassa was thrilling. Like a “weeble-wobble,” Nagy got up five times after being floored and incredibly knocked out his exhausted opponent!
Tommy Coyle defeats Daniel Brizuela (2014)
Argentine Brizuela must have been surprised by the impact his punches had on local hero Tommy Coyle during their match in Hull, Yorkshire. The South American ended his career with only eight KOs, but that night he scored four knockdowns. Coyle, however, wasn’t to be outdone: he got up each time, scored four knockdowns of his own, and won by TKO.
Julio Cesar Gonzalez defeats Julian Letterlough (2001)
There was a reason Julian Letterlough was nicknamed “Mr. KO”—20 of his 21 wins came by knockout. But fearless Julio Cesar Gonzalez avoided becoming just another victim through sheer determination. The Mexican survived three knockdowns, floored Letterlough twice himself, and won by unanimous decision after an all-out war. Both fighters share the tragic fate of having died at just 35 years old.
Samuel Peter defeats Jameel McCline (2007)
The “Nigerian Nightmare” is back on the list, but this time for a victory. He had to work hard for it, though. Favored to win, the African puncher was knocked down once at the end of the second round and twice more in the third by the underdog McCline. Nevertheless, Peter slowly regained control and earned a clear points victory.
Naseem Hamed defeats Kevin Kelley (1997)
The U.S. debut of flamboyant WBO featherweight champion Naseem Hamed was nothing short of exciting. Challenger Kevin Kelley dragged him into a slugfest that saw several knockdowns on both sides, thrilling the New York Madison Square Garden crowd. Counted three times in just four rounds, the “Prince” ultimately proved more resilient than his tenacious opponent, knocking Kelley out in devastating fashion after he’d briefly tasted the possibility of an upset.