Arguably, there is nothing more thrilling than an upset. For some, it means shocking disappointment; for others, it is sudden and pleasant surprise. Kirkland Laing shocked Roberto Duran but himself was later shocked by Buck “Tombstone” Smith. Lloyd Honeyghan did it to Donald Curry. Buster Douglas’s KO of Mike Tyson was perhaps the greatest upset in boxing history. George Foreman‘s KO of Michael Moorer in 1994 was one for the ages, but then Moorer turned the tables on Vassiliy Jirov tens years later. Louis Monaco stopped Kevin McBride in 1997, but McBride himself stopped Mike Tyson eight years later. More recently, Brian Vera pulled one off against a heavily Andy Lee..
Which brings us to the under card of the recent Jesse Feliciano-Andrey Tsurkan bout at the Utopia Paradise Theatre in the Bronx. Home town guy Jon “The Fighting Marine” Schneider, 7-1-1, was scheduled to fight Clarence Moore, 4-3-1. The Marine had shut out Moore in a 4-rounder in 2007 and was heavily favored to do it again. Hell, what was a guy from West Virginia doing in the Bronx in the first place?
A glance at their respective level of opposition would indicate, however, that Moore had fought the better fighters and, for the most part, in their own home towns. All of Schneider’s fights have been in the friendly environs of New York City. Moore was also coming in at 7 fewer pounds reflecting perhaps how determined he was to avenge his earlier loss. He also had far more quality rounds under his no longer ample belt
Still, the stage was set for a Schneider blow-out and, with a disproportionate amount of hoopla, the fans were anticipatory and excited for this televised 6-rounder to begin.
The local favorite won the first round easily impressively, but in the second, he walked into short uppercut followed by a left hook. Stunned badly, he was stopped in his tracks and unable to tie up Moore. He then was met by a volley of wild shots until a vicious uppercut got in and positioned him for the end. Moore quickly followed up with another equally malefic uppercut which sent The Fighting Marine to Jarhead Heaven at the 2:48 mark of the second round.
The crowd was silence and stunned at the sudden turn of events, while Moore himself seemed shocked as tears of joy welled up in his eyes. Schneider sat on his stool, dejected and wondering what had just occurred while being consoled by trainer and former Champion Lou Del Valle.
This had been a thriller for as long as it lasted; heck, this had been an upset pure and simple, and now all the pre-fight hype didn’t amount to spit. A 33 year old cruiserweight named Moore out of Charleston, West Virginia saw to that.
Enjoyed this, Ted. I liked your use of descriptive phrases, particularly "Jarhead Heaven."
Sometimes fights that are upsets at the time don't seem like so much of an upset in retrospect. I remember thinking that Frazier was going to clobber George Foreman in Jamaica in January of 1973 and it turned out to be all George.
I thought Foreman would decimate Ali in Zaire and Ali exhibited the true depth of his greatness. I agree that Buster's KO of Tyson still has to rank up there as the biggest upset of all time.
Biz will like this one...I remember a big shocker when Memphis Al Jones brought one up from the floor and flattened fringe contender Boone Kirkman. I believe it was in the third round. I don't think Jones was even ranked in the Top 100...Bad night for Boone.
Sometimes Upsets don't have to come in "Big Packages" to rest in your memory. This Schneider-Moore fight that Ted writes about. Last night we saw one with the Lopez Ko of Mike Oliver. One that pops into my mind was back in the very early eighties when Ex-Amatuer Star Clint Jackson got KO'd by an unheraled Buster Drayton. Drayton had just worked in Marv Hagler's Camp and discovered he wasn't that bad a fighter, and sent Jackson back to his Day Job as a Deputy. They may not neccsarly earth-shattering fights always,but they thrill you just the same.
Another upset that comes to mind is Michael Bentt knocking out Tommy Morrison in 1 round in 1993. Morrison was tuning up for a fight with Lennox Lewis. Bentt came in with just 11 fights and Morrison was fighting in front of a friendly crowd in Tulsa. Morrison nailed Bentt in the first 30 seconds and it looked like it would be a quick KO. But Bentt nailed Tommy and he never recovered. Morrison went down three times in the first round. Unbelievable. And the WBO title was on the line, too. A year later, Morrison had a 10-round draw against Ross Puritty, who came in with an 8-8 record.
Agreed, and in terms of Dollars Lost, that was probably the most expensive upset in ESPN History, Tommy Morrison lost the multi-million dollar payday against Lennox. He'd had the high profile win over Foreman earlier that year, and pretty much put the Mercer Ko behind him. This put him right back on the rebuilding trail, and then like rom828 mentioned, he drew with Purrity doing that.....and when Lennox did get back to him, Tommy's payday was a fraction of what it would've been pre-Bentt.
Morrison could punch like Quarry but he didn't have Quarry's granite chin. Too bad for him, though his vulnerability to the KO did lead to some really exciting moments in the ring. I'll never forget Morrison getting up from the canvas twice to KO Carl "The Truth" Williams. As Murph noted, though, Morrison really could have cleaned up financially if he had been more consistent. I'm guessing he didn't train as hard for some fights as for others.
Biz will like this one...I remember a big shocker when Memphis Al Jones brought one up from the floor and flattened fringe contender Boone Kirkman. I believe it was in the third round. I don't think Jones was even ranked in the Top 100...Bad night for Boone.
*chuckle*
"And then the big shocker came...this absolute NOBODY, I mean an absolute 'tomato-can' just 'cold-clocked' him..." - Many Seattle Boxing fans over-50. (LOL!)
Another upset that comes to mind is Michael Bentt knocking out Tommy Morrison in 1 round in 1993. Morrison was tuning up for a fight with Lennox Lewis. Bentt came in with just 11 fights and Morrison was fighting in front of a friendly crowd in Tulsa. Morrison nailed Bentt in the first 30 seconds and it looked like it would be a quick KO. But Bentt nailed Tommy and he never recovered. Morrison went down three times in the first round. Unbelievable. And the WBO title was on the line, too. A year later, Morrison had a 10-round draw against Ross Puritty, who came in with an 8-8 record.
This was a big upset Mike, but in reality...it really wasn't. Bentt had a good and long amatuer career and had sparred with top-level fighters. But not many knew this.
In actuality, Morrison...really wasn't managed/matched very wisely in my opinion.
Ray Mercer?
Why on Earth would you take a young white American hvy ( * This was when the "white" part still meant alot ) and put him in against a Gold Medalist that had a PIER-BLOCK for a chin?????? Purrity also has a cement-jaw, and was a very solid journeyman. Even though he was 8-8 and limited...if you were going to pick an 8-8 type limited guy for an ESPN fight -- don't pick that one!
* Even though Morrison had a big advantage in speed and youth against Foreman -- I was still a bit surprised he didn't either get KO'd or fold late in that one!
* Even though Morrison had a big advantage in speed and youth against Foreman -- I was still a bit surprised he didn't either get KO'd or fold late in that one!
Bizzy- It was one of those ones where a guy Won,but in a sense actually Lost. Realizing that Big George might be one of the only fighters on the Planet Earth that he could flat out move and outbox, Tommy took the easy win, but did himself more harm than good judging by peoples reaction. Like you, I was kind of surprised that he was able to do it for the full fight.
I didn't know about Bentt's amateur career, Brian. I still think it was a major upset, though, in light of other circumstances. Morrison was 38-1 going into that fight. Bentt was 10-0-1 but hadn't fought anybody with a winning record before the Duke. In fact, Morrison was the only fighter with a winning record that Bentt beat in his career. Bentt got hammered by Herbie Hyde in his next fight and then retired. Obviously, Bentt had some skills. If he had gone on to have a substantial career after the loss to Hyde, then it would have put the KO of Morrison in a different light. But as things stand, I have to see the Morrison KO as a huge upset. Mike D.
Oh, it was without-a-doubt a big upset Mike. No doubt about that...
* Bentt actually suffered a brain-injury in the early rounds of that next fight against Hide and never fought again though. Bentt wasn't linear/undisputed world champ material, but not too shabby either.
Bizzy- It was one of those ones where a guy Won,but in a sense actually Lost. Realizing that Big George might be one of the only fighters on the Planet Earth that he could flat out move and outbox, Tommy took the easy win, but did himself more harm than good judging by peoples reaction. Like you, I was kind of surprised that he was able to do it for the full fight.
Murph - No doubt Tommy fought a very focused and disciplined fight that night...but boy did it just "LOOK BAD" when he would literally turn his back and start walking fastly around the ring! (He won the fight, but not many fans that night indeed! )
Sorry to hear about Bentt's brain damage. I hope he has recovered sufficiently to live a normal, productive life outside the ring.
Morrison did against Foreman what Jimmy Ellis did against Quarry in the WBA championship fight back in 1968. The strategy was successful in both cases but, in both cases, made for a disappointing fight. Brian and Murph hit it on the head re: Morrison. His strategy worked well against Big George but the Duke hurt his public persona big time. In the case of Ellis, he won the only way possible, by not coming forward and giving Quarry a chance to counter punch off the ropes as he had done so successfully against Patterson and Spencer.
Today is the 17th anniversary of James Toney's 11th round KO of Michael Nunn. It may not seem like so much of an upset now in retrospect, but it certainly was back then. Toney came in with a 25-0-1 log but his record wasn't lined with the kind of names that Nunn had with his 36-0 mark. Toney's biggest fight prior to Nunn was a split decision over 18-0 Marquis Sosa. Nunn, on the other hand, had consecutive wins over world class fighters Curry, Barkley and Kalambay to his credit. Nunn was beating Toney handily on all three scorecards before Toney landed the big left hook. Toney had to get the KO to win but he had been coming on strong in the later rounds.
Bentt actually only suffered very mild brain damage, but it was a serious enough head injury that it finished his career. Last I heard he was doing pretty well and is an assistant trainer, I believe.
As for Nunn-Toney -- yes, indeed. I didn't know that much about James Toney before that fight (he was so young...like 21 or 22?) but that changed overnight! As for Nunn, he was ahead in that fight, but indeed fading. Nunn was very good though, and could have even accomplished more in his 30's and as a light hvy.
As for Ellis-Quarry......I'm not sure if I've seen that one actually......(???)...Hmm...
BTW - Morrison-Bentt reminds me a little bit of Seldon-McCall in some ways...( "The Atlantic City Express" got 'de-railed' that night! LOL! Seldon had some talent and skill, but just didn't quite have the whole package and the 'intangibles'...)
BTW - I was certainly not trying to blame all of Morrisons failings and shortcomings on being 'mismanaged', but I think he could have been a bit more 'shrewdly' and intelligently matched. Is some of this said in hindsight?
Yep. (lol)
But really truly...not all of it. I remember thinking on a few occasions/fights with him BEFORE hand -- "Why THIS fight"??? I think part of the problem might have been while Cayton was a very good "money man" -- he really wasn't a true Boxing guy or wise manager/matchmaker. ( And yes -- part of the 'problem' was also that while Morrison was a fast-handed hard-punching talent with a good offensive arsenal, he never developed solid footwork and defense, had stamina problems likely related to a 24/7 party-type lifestyle, and his god-given chin...was just not very good.)
Today is the 17th anniversary of James Toney's 11th round KO of Michael Nunn. It may not seem like so much of an upset now in retrospect, but it certainly was back then. Toney came in with a 25-0-1 log but his record wasn't lined with the kind of names that Nunn had with his 36-0 mark. Toney's biggest fight prior to Nunn was a split decision over 18-0 Marquis Sosa. Nunn, on the other hand, had consecutive wins over world class fighters Curry, Barkley and Kalambay to his credit. Nunn was beating Toney handily on all three scorecards before Toney landed the big left hook. Toney had to get the KO to win but he had been coming on strong in the later rounds.
Mike- Wow, 17 years!!!! I feel SO OLD!!! I remember after the big Left Hook ended it, Joe Goosen telling us that "James B.Toney is the Middleweight Champion of the World". It was the ultimate Guy out of Nowhere upsetting the Apple Cart, and the way he did it (hopelessly behind on the scorecards heading into the next to last round) made it even more stunning.
One that really popped some wood for me was when Anthony Hembrick BOO-GA-LOOE'D into the ring at Fort Bragg as a heavy favorite to ice Booker T. Word. ProbleM was, someone forgot to tell Booker. He proceedED to demOilsh the former Olympian in the first round.
One that really popped some wood for me was when Anthony Hembrick BOO-GA-LOOE'D into the ring at Fort Bragg as a heavy favorite to ice Booker T. Word. ProbleM was, someone forgot to tell Booker. He proceedED to demOilsh the former Olympian in the first round.
LOL, I remember that one. It was funny, because Hembrick got all his fame from being the guy who missed his Olympic fight because the Coaches didn't get him there in time, and I was thinking after the KO that maybe he should've missed that one too :) LOL
One that really popped some wood for me was when Anthony Hembrick BOO-GA-LOOE'D into the ring at Fort Bragg as a heavy favorite to ice Booker T. Word. ProbleM was, someone forgot to tell Booker. He proceedED to demOilsh the former Olympian in the first round.
"BOO-GA-LOOE'D"...*chuckle*...I love that saying...(!)
And yes, I do recall that one. (He go "The Book" thrown at him!)
LOL, I remember that one. It was funny, because Hembrick got all his fame from being the guy who missed his Olympic fight because the Coaches didn't get him there in time, and I was thinking after the KO that maybe he should've missed that one too :) LOL
I remember the Hembrick fight. He had a whole routine mapped out with his cornermen after he entered the ring. Guess he should have spent more time mapping out a strategy to beat the Book.
LOL,Ted. No, he sure wasn't. What was funny was I remember having some real sympathy for him because of the Olympic Fiasco, and then I'm watching the little pre-fight routine and going, "you know what,all of a sudden I'm not so sorry for this kid, he needs to be taken down a notch" and that's just what happened.
I remember the Hembrick fight. He had a whole routine mapped out with his cornermen after he entered the ring. Guess he should have spent more time mapping out a strategy to beat the Book.
Mike D.
LOL, Mike. I don't know how much time he spent choreographing the Ring Entrance, but I'm sure that wasn't the Ring Exit he had in mind ;)
Biz will like this one...I remember a big shocker when Memphis Al Jones brought one up from the floor and flattened fringe contender Boone Kirkman. I believe it was in the third round. I don't think Jones was even ranked in the Top 100...Bad night for Boone. 
