Best Underdog Wins in Boxing History — IVB Edition
Boxing isn’t just about titles, belts, and records — it’s about the unexpected. The improbable. The impossible.
At iVisit Boxing (IVB), we celebrate underdog stories because they define what the sport is all about: grit, belief, and the unshakable will to fight back.
These aren’t just wins.
They’re reminders that on any given night — in a packed arena from Detroit to Dallas, or under the lights at an IVB event in London — anything can happen.
1. Buster Douglas KOs Mike Tyson (1990, Tokyo Dome)
The Setup:
Mike Tyson was 37-0. Undefeated. Unstoppable. 42-to-1 favorite.
James “Buster” Douglas? A solid fighter with nothing to lose and a dying mother who told him to shock the world.
What Happened:
Douglas dropped Tyson with a perfect uppercut in Round 10 — sending the champ crashing to the canvas in disbelief.
Why It’s IVB-Style:
Everything IVB stands for is in this fight — overlooked talent, emotional power, a crowd screaming in disbelief.
Source: ESPN 30 for 30 – “42 to 1”
2. Hasim Rahman Stuns Lennox Lewis (2001, South Africa)
The Setup:
Rahman was given no real chance against the slick, dominant Lewis. The champ was already planning his next fights.
What Happened:
A massive right hand in Round 5 silenced everyone — Lewis collapsed, Rahman became champion.
Why It’s IVB-Style:
Raw power. Self-belief. And a city’s pride behind a fighter no one expected. IVB would’ve sold this fight out in Philadelphia or Kansas City.
Source: The Ring Magazine, May 2001
3. Andy Ruiz Jr. Drops Anthony Joshua (2019, MSG)
The Setup:
Late replacement. Short notice. Everyone thought Ruiz was out of shape, out of his league.
What Happened:
Ruiz dropped Joshua 4 times and walked out as the first Mexican-American heavyweight champion.
Why It’s IVB-Style:
Ruiz looked nothing like the ‘ideal fighter’ — but he fought like one. That’s the IVB message: talent comes in all forms.
Source: BBC Sport, June 2019
4. Muhammad Ali Shocks George Foreman (1974, Zaire)
The Setup:
Foreman was a monster. Ali was the aging legend, written off by pundits.
The Rumble in the Jungle became the greatest comeback story in sports.
What Happened:
Ali took the punishment, then launched his “rope-a-dope” strategy — KO’ing Foreman in Round 8.
Why It’s IVB-Style:
Ali used heart, psychology, and rhythm to win. That’s how local fighters win on IVB nights: not with brute force — with soul.
Source: When We Were Kings (Oscar-winning documentary)
5. Blake Binskin’s Rise to the Pro Ranks (IVB Sponsored Fighter, 2025)
The Setup:
A quiet, hardworking amateur with over 45 fights — overlooked, doubted, but never distracted.
What Happened:
Signed by Martin Bowers of Peacock Gym, training under Mario Michael at PEJ Boxing, Blake went pro in 2025 with IVB’s full support.
Why It’s IVB-Style:
Because we back the overlooked. We sponsor fighters like Blake, and we put them under the lights. His story isn’t just inspiring — it’s just beginning.
Source: IVB Sponsorship Program / Blake Binskin’s official announcement
Why Underdogs Matter in Boxing — And Why IVB Builds Them
At iVisit Boxing, we don’t just showcase world champions — we build them.
From training gyms in Wales to community support in Brooklyn, IVB believes the future of boxing lives in fighters who’ve been underestimated their entire careers.
We host events in cities where fighters grind without media hype — cities like:
Detroit
Phoenix
Tampa
Manchester
Every IVB card is a proving ground.
Every bout is a chance to rewrite expectations.
More Than Just Wins: What These Stories Mean for Fans
They inspire belief.
They bring communities together.
They remind fans why they fell in love with boxing in the first place.
The energy at an IVB event when a local underdog starts gaining momentum?
You can’t replicate that. You can only feel it.
That’s why our tagline will always hold true:
We’re bringing boxing back to the people.
Sources:
ESPN 30 for 30: 42 to 1 — https://www.espn.com/30for30/film?page=42to1
BBC Sport: Ruiz vs Joshua 2019 Recap — https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/48510279
The Ring Magazine Archives — May 2001
When We Were Kings (1996), Documentary Film
IVB Sponsorship Announcements — https://ivb.co
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