How Arrogant Heavy Champs Got Defeated

In the recent match setting a record crowd of 96,000 at Wembley Arena, Wembley, UK, Saturday, former heavyweight champion and Olympic Gold Medalist ‘AJ’ Anthony Joshua, 28-4), was upset by IBF Interim champ Daniel ‘Dynamite’ Dubois, 22-2, by knockout in 5 rounds.

In their press conference prior to the fight, Joshua got up and challenged Dubois, causing a ruckus. Dubois stood his ground when the press conference was stopped. Little did Joshua know that days later, due to his arrogance, he would be knocked out by Dubois.

Speaking of heavyweight fights in the past in September of 1985 heavyweight champion Larry ‘The Easton Assassin’ Holmes was 48-0, and about to equal the record of Rocky Marciano, 49-0 with a victory over light heavyweight champion Michael ’Jinx’ Spinks, 27-0, over 15 rounds.

It was Ring Magazine’s 1985 Upset of the Year. Afterward, the arrogant Holmes said, “Marciano couldn’t wear my jockstrap!” Nothing about Spinks who beat him!

In March of 1971, former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, 31-0, after returning from 3 years of forced inactivity due to the New York Commission taking his license and when given back after a pair of victories Ali signed to recapture his title facing another Olympic Gold Medalist who then held the heavyweight title in “Smokin” Joe Frazier, 26-0, at Madison Square Garden, New York.

Going into the fifteenth and final round, Ali was behind in rounds 8-6, 9-6, and 11-4, needing a knockout. It was Frazier dropping Ali in the first minute of the round, though it was Frazier who had swelling around both eyes almost closed at the end per ring commentator who, after the fight, said, “Frazier is sitting on his stool looking sick” when it was announced he was the winner. He was later taken to a hospital. Ali, suffering his first defeat, had a swollen jaw but was not off to a hospital.

Joshua, Holmes, and Ali’s arrogance caught up to them in defeat.