Not everyone knows that in addition to the traditional 10-second count, boxing rules also allow for a much longer one—20 seconds—for a fighter who gets knocked out of the ring. Such an event might seem unlikely, but boxing history is full of examples that prove otherwise: fighters hit so hard that they tumble through the ropes, collapsing outside the squared circle, or even landing near the first rows of the crowd! Quite a few managed to climb back into the ring and even win the fight, while others couldn’t make it. Here are ten such examples, in no particular order, from boxing past and present.
Hasim Rahman vs Oleg Maskaev I (1999)
When Rahman and Maskaev first met, they shared one thing in common: both had been knocked out by David Tua. Rahman entered as the favorite and by the eighth round he was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards. But Maskaev refused to give in, and with a devastating right hand he blasted Rahman out of the ring, sending him crashing to the floor like a ragdoll. The American had no chance of beating the count.
Jack Dempsey vs Luis Ángel Firpo (1923)
One of the most famous “flights” in boxing history came when the great Dempsey defended his heavyweight title against the fearsome Argentine puncher Firpo. Trapped against the ropes and hit by a furious flurry, Jack was sent flying into the crowd, where spectators broke his fall with their outstretched arms. That little bit of help sparked controversy, as the champion returned to the ring and proceeded to tear his challenger apart.
Nigel Benn vs Gerald McClellan (1995)
This bout is remembered above all for the tragic permanent injuries suffered by McClellan, but it started at a blistering pace for the American. Just seconds after the opening bell, Benn was already against the ropes, battered by shots that launched him through them. The WBC super middleweight champion, however, had an enormous heart: he climbed back in and fought his way to victory in ten rounds—tragically, with devastating consequences.
Amir Imam vs Jared Robinson (2014)
Neither man went on to have a stellar career, but at the time they were two unbeaten prospects with plenty of promise. Imam unleashed his dynamite right hand in the fourth round, sending Robinson tumbling through the ropes in a nasty fall that ended with his head smacking the floor. Incredibly, he made it back inside the allotted time, but referee James Howe wisely waved the fight off.
Michael Katsidis vs Joel Casamayor (2008)
After being knocked down twice in the opening round by the interim WBO champion, many thought Australian Michael Katsidis was a hype job and that the experienced Casamayor would soon put him away. But “The Great” battled back, and in the sixth round landed a right hand to the temple that sent the Cuban through the ropes! “El Cepillo,” however, quickly climbed back in, and in the tenth round—while trailing on the scorecards—he sealed a technical knockout.
Tony Galento vs Al Ettore (1937)
This fight marked the beginning of Tony Galento’s path toward a world title shot—and it was a wild one. Twice in the eighth and final round, poor Ettore was sent out of the ring: first just through the ropes, then completely onto the floor outside. In the end, it was the referee who saved him from further flights.
Joe Smith Jr vs Bernard Hopkins (2016)
Even for an “Alien” like Hopkins, age eventually takes its toll. At nearly 52 years old, the American attempted one more feat in his incredible career, challenging the young Irish-rooted puncher Smith for the WBC International light heavyweight title. But the gamble ended badly: in a brutal fight, “The Executioner” was blasted near the TV cameras by a huge left hand to the chin and failed to make it back into the ring.
Izuagbe Ugonoh vs Will Quarrie (2015)
Polish heavyweight of Nigerian descent Izuagbe Ugonoh once made many believe he could reach the top thanks to his explosive power. Before stamina issues derailed his ambitions, he was knocking out opponents one after another—including poor Quarrie, who was destroyed in just two rounds. The modest New Zealander was caught flush on the jaw with a thunderous right hand that sent him halfway out of the ropes, his upper body dangling into the void.
Rocky Marciano vs Joe Louis (1951)
Hanging up the gloves after such a glorious career is never easy, and Joe Louis simply couldn’t let go. But his comeback attempts were brutally ended by the Brockton Blockbuster, who knocked him out in eight rounds. The final right hand—delivered after Louis had already been dazed by two left uppercuts—sent the legendary champion sprawling through the ropes for the definitive count.
Cassius Chaney vs Joel Caudle (2019)
Everyone knew stocky Joel Caudle was no real threat to the unbeaten Chaney, but few expected him to be launched out of the ring and into the crowd. Admirably, he got back on his feet with surprising nonchalance and climbed back through the ropes to continue fighting. It was all for nothing: at the first right hand from Chaney, referee Dave Braslow stepped in and stopped the contest.