Anyone who buys a ticket to watch a world title fight usually expects a competitive contest — not necessarily an even one, but at least a bout that allows them to appreciate the fighters’ skills. Sometimes, however, a boxing match is over in the blink of an eye: a cold shot lands flush on the target and the referee has no choice but to wave it off before the spectators even realize what has happened. There have been many “blink-and-you-miss-it” fights in boxing history; we have carried out meticulous research to bring you the ten shortest ever bouts contested for a world championship belt. Here is the ranking!
Methodological note: technical decisions and no contests were not considered. Likewise, fights contested for minor belts (silver, interim, etc.) were excluded.
10) Julius Indongo def. Eduard Troyanovsky – 40 seconds (2016)
Russian fans who packed the Khodynka Ice Palace in Moscow must have been deeply disappointed when their champion collapsed flat on his back after a vicious left hook from an unknown challenger from Namibia. A perfectly thrown punch, fully loaded and landing squarely on the jaw, left no escape for the aggressive, ice-eyed fighter. For Indongo, the dream of becoming IBF super lightweight champion came true in an instant.
9) Kid Chocolate def. Joey Scalfaro – 39 seconds (1931)
The legendary Cuban great started this defense of his super featherweight world title with ferocity, landing a combination that sent the challenger to the canvas. Scalfaro beat the count at nine but appeared unsteady and was escorted back to his corner. Furious at the stoppage, the American sucker-punched the champion as he approached to shake hands, nearly sparking a brawl.
8) Israel Contreras def. Maurizio Lupino – 37 seconds (1989)
Unfortunately, no footage is available of this defeat suffered by the Italian challenger, who was floored in just 37 seconds by a right hook in Caracas at the hands of the local hero. Contreras captured the vacant WBO bantamweight title, and contemporary reports were harsh on Lupino. The bout was labeled a “farce,” and even the Venezuelan promoters reportedly expressed disappointment at the lack of resistance shown by the defeated fighter.
7) James Warring def. James Pritchard – 36 seconds (1991)
There is also a touch of Italy in this all-American clash for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title. The fight took place at the San Giacomo Municipal Stadium in Salemi, Sicily, and Italian spectators were left stunned. Warring, who later enjoyed a 20-year career as a referee, flattened his rival with a perfect right hand, leaving him literally frozen on the canvas with stiff limbs.
6) Naseem Hamed def. Said Lawal – 35 seconds (1996)
Throughout his many defenses of the WBO featherweight title, the flamboyant Naseem Hamed scored numerous knockouts, often in the early rounds. The one against unfortunate Nigerian challenger Lawal, however, tops them all for speed. In just 35 seconds, the champion scored two knockdowns, prompting the referee to stop the contest amid loud boos from the crowd.
5) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam def. Daisuke Naito – 34 seconds (2002)
During the 2000s, Thailand’s Wonjongkam enjoyed a sensational reign in the flyweight division, racking up an impressive 17 consecutive defenses of his WBC world title. The bout against Japan’s Naito was only the fourth of that streak and ended in just 34 seconds thanks to a terrifying counter left. Ironically, five years later it was Naito who took the belt from the Thai star.
4) Bernard Hopkins def. Steve Frank – 24 seconds (1996)
During his middleweight days, Bernard Hopkins possessed not only technical mastery but also fearsome power. Steve Frank learned that the hard way while attempting to wrest the IBF title from “The Executioner.” Three punches in rapid succession ended matters almost instantly. Frank beat the count but looked eager to be anywhere else and was promptly stopped by the referee — earning a menacing stare from the winner.
3) Gerald McClellan def. Jay Bell – 20 seconds (1993)
Gerald McClellan is sadly remembered for retiring with permanent brain damage, but also for his extraordinary punching power. His first defense of the WBC middleweight title took place in Puerto Rico against Jay Bell, who lasted just 20 seconds. A brutal left uppercut to the body dropped Bell in agony, prompting an immediate stoppage.
2) Daniel Jimenez def. Harald Geier – 17 seconds (1994)
Puerto Rican Daniel Jimenez may not be remembered as a legendary champion, but he certainly had his moments and often lived up to his nickname, “The Cobra.” Austria’s Geier hoped to snatch the WBO super bantamweight title with the backing of the home crowd, but fighting at home did him no good: in just 17 seconds, a right hand from the champion turned out the lights.
1) Zolani Tete def. Siboniso Gonya – 11 seconds (2017)
The all-time record for the shortest world title fight in boxing history was set just over eight years ago, when South Africa’s lanky Zolani Tete stunned the SSE Arena in Belfast by retaining his WBO bantamweight title with the very first punch of the fight. A crushing right hook left the inexperienced Siboniso Gonya helpless and propelled Tete straight into the Guinness World Records.