loading…
These are the 6 boxing fights that will shake the boxing world the most in 2023, including Joseph Parker’s horrendous victory over Deontay Wilder. Boxingscene’s version of the six most surprising boxing fights provides entertainment for boxing fans amidst the dominance of famous names who have not been touched by defeat.
1. Rafael Espinoza Defeats Robeisy Ramirez
Robeisy Ramirez’s chosen opponent is 185 cm tall, which is very unusual for a featherweight competition. Rafael Espinoza still wasn’t supposed to be that tall of an opponent for the heavily favored former WBO 57.1-kilogram heavyweight champion on December 9th.
However, it was clear early in their 12-round title fight that the relentless Espinoza was causing Ramirez problems that the Cuban southpaw had not anticipated in a bout that was billed as BoxingScene.com’s “Surprise of the Year.”
When previously unfancied Espinoza (24-0, 20 KOs) threw a lot of punches at Ramirez and landed several right uppercuts over the first four rounds, Ramirez knew he was in for quite a tough fight. Something that could threaten a possible fight against Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue in 2024.
With the tie on paper, the former champions made things interesting when Ramirez’s right hook dropped Espinoza with just five seconds remaining in the fifth round. Ramirez pressed Espinoza as he switched styles and looked like he would knockout a tough opponent who entered the ring as a 16-1 seed to win.
Ramirez controlled the action for the next three rounds to close the gap on paper. He rocked Espinoza again with a left hand that landed with less than 30 seconds remaining in the seventh round. Another left from Ramirez sent Espinoza reeling just 20 seconds into the eighth round.
At the time, Ramirez looked set to recover from a slow start and defend his WBO featherweight title. A recovered Espinoza came back to his feet in the final three rounds and got the boost he needed when a right-left combination left Ramirez (13-2, 8 KOs) on the receiving end of a knee in the 12th round with 26 seconds left.
Judge Efrain Lebron gave their fight a draw, 113-113, but judges Benoit Roussel (114-112) and Steve Weisfeld (115-111) gave Espinoza the win in the main event broadcast on ESPN from Charles S. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida. And at that moment, this Mexican boxer evolved from an underdog fighter to a world champion. “I knew I had to knock him out to win,” Espinoza said. “I just put my heart into it. I always do that. And thank God, it happened.”
2. Liam Smith Defeats Chris Eubank Jr.
Eubank is a 3-1 seed and has never been beaten at close range when they meet Smith in their first domestic match on January 21 at the AO Arena, Manchester, England. Smith was surprisingly able to beat the usually durable Eubank, who he hurt with a right hand and dropped him with a left hook 45 seconds into the fourth round.