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The Best Knockouts in Heavyweight Boxing History
A Ringside View of the Most Devastating Punches
Knockouts are the most exciting and memorable moments in boxing history, and the heavyweight division has produced some of the most iconic stoppages of all time. From Muhammad Ali's stunning KO of Sonny Liston to Tyson Fury's brutal finish of Deontay Wilder, these are the 10 best knockouts in heavyweight history.
1. Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston (1965)
Ali's victory over Liston was one of the most significant upsets in boxing history. Liston was the fearsome reigning champion, while Ali was a brash young challenger. Ali used his speed and agility to outbox Liston, and in the seventh round, he landed a devastating right cross that sent Liston crashing to the canvas. Liston managed to get up, but Ali knocked him down again and won the fight by knockout.
2. Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks (1988)
Tyson was at the peak of his powers when he faced Spinks, who was the undefeated IBF heavyweight champion. Tyson knocked Spinks out in just 91 seconds, the fastest KO in heavyweight title fight history. Tyson landed a series of devastating punches that sent Spinks to the canvas, and the referee stopped the fight without a count.
3. George Foreman vs. Michael Moorer (1994)
Foreman was 45 years old when he faced Moorer, but he showed that he still had the power to knock out opponents. Foreman landed a thunderous right hand that sent Moorer crashing to the canvas. Moorer tried to get up, but Foreman knocked him down again and won the fight by knockout. Foreman's victory made him the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history.
4. Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson (2002)
Lewis was the undisputed heavyweight champion when he faced Tyson, who was making his highly anticipated comeback. Tyson started the fight strongly, but Lewis used his size and strength to take control. In the eighth round, Lewis landed a devastating right hook that sent Tyson crashing to the canvas. Tyson tried to get up, but Lewis knocked him down again and won the fight by knockout.
5. Deontay Wilder vs. Dominic Breazeale (2019)
Wilder is one of the most powerful punchers in boxing history, and he showed his devastating power against Breazeale. Wilder landed a thunderous right hand that sent Breazeale crashing to the canvas. Breazeale was knocked out cold, and Wilder retained his WBC heavyweight title.
6. Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko (2017)
Joshua was the rising star of the heavyweight division when he faced Klitschko, who was a long-reigning champion. Joshua used his youth and athleticism to outbox Klitschko, and in the 11th round, he landed a devastating right hand that sent Klitschko crashing to the canvas. Klitschko was unable to get up, and Joshua won the fight by knockout.
7. Joe Louis vs. Billy Conn (1941)
Louis was the undisputed heavyweight champion when he faced Conn, who was a rising star. Conn knocked Louis down in the first round, but Louis rallied back and knocked Conn out in the 13th round. Louis' victory was one of the most dramatic fights in boxing history.
8. Rocky Marciano vs. Joe Louis (1951)
Marciano was an undefeated heavyweight champion when he faced Louis, who was a former champion. Marciano knocked Louis out in the eighth round, and Louis never fought again. Marciano's victory was one of the most significant in boxing history.
9. Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson (1996)
Holyfield was the WBA heavyweight champion when he faced Tyson, who was a former champion. Tyson bit Holyfield's ear in the third round, and the fight was stopped. Holyfield won the fight by disqualification, and Tyson was banned from boxing for two years.
10. Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder (2020)
Fury was the WBC heavyweight champion when he faced Wilder, who was the undefeated WBC champion. In the seventh round, Wilder landed a devastating right hand that sent Fury crashing to the canvas. Fury got up and knocked Wilder down in the 10th and 11th rounds. Wilder was unable to continue, and Fury won the fight by knockout.