Last minute winners
Last minute winners
I'm thinking here, last minute replacements that beat champions,
I'm going to start with Tommy Morrison v Michael Bentt. Morrison was supposed to fight Lennox Lewis ( I might be wrong) who at the time was WBC champion, but decided to have a tune up fight with Michael Bentt prior to facing Lewis.
We all know the outcome.
I'm going to start with Tommy Morrison v Michael Bentt. Morrison was supposed to fight Lennox Lewis ( I might be wrong) who at the time was WBC champion, but decided to have a tune up fight with Michael Bentt prior to facing Lewis.
We all know the outcome.
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MightyWarrior
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 13368
- Joined: 23 Jan 2003, 14:01
Re: Last minute winners
Our WBC Jr lightweight world champion Cornelius Boza-Edwards was due to defend against former champ the ferocious Bazooka Limon - then last minute replacement Rolando Navarrete was flown in.
I remember sitting down to watch, massively disappointed that they had brought in this no-hoper, replacing what was probably going to be another fight of the year against Limon.
Then a few rounds later, watching in horror as Boza was smashed to pieces inside 5 rounds in probably the upset of the year.
I think it was only a few months earlier Britain had an unprecedented four world champions, Alan Minter, Jim Watt, Maurice Hope and Boza.
Then all of them had lost at this point ( to P4P greats ) except Boza, the last man standing…
I remember sitting down to watch, massively disappointed that they had brought in this no-hoper, replacing what was probably going to be another fight of the year against Limon.
Then a few rounds later, watching in horror as Boza was smashed to pieces inside 5 rounds in probably the upset of the year.
I think it was only a few months earlier Britain had an unprecedented four world champions, Alan Minter, Jim Watt, Maurice Hope and Boza.
Then all of them had lost at this point ( to P4P greats ) except Boza, the last man standing…
Re: Last minute winners
Andy Ruiz, how much notice did he get ?
Re: Last minute winners
Bonecrusher Smith v Witherspoon
Re: Last minute winners
Steve Robinson an obvious one here - 48 hours notice against Davison.
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
- Posts: 103901
- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Last minute winners
cheers, not really last minute then.Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026, 07:481st May.
A month before the fight.
He put his name forward before he fought Dmitrenko.. on 22 April he had a meeting with Hearn.
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
- Posts: 103901
- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Last minute winners
More “last month” hahahpaultom wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026, 07:49cheers, not really last minute then.Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026, 07:481st May.
A month before the fight.
He put his name forward before he fought Dmitrenko.. on 22 April he had a meeting with Hearn.
Re: Last minute winners
Steve Robinson won the WBO as a late replacement.
Although it was the champion who had to pull out at the last minute, so it was for the vacant title.
Edit: just noticed Deserter already posted it
Although it was the champion who had to pull out at the last minute, so it was for the vacant title.
Edit: just noticed Deserter already posted it
Last edited by JC on 22 Aug 2026, 03:14, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Last minute winners
Jimmy Braddock didn't win the title as a late replacement but his 'Cinderella Man' run to the title shot started off with being a late replacement for a fight with contender Corn Griffin.
Braddock took the fight at 2 days notice. Griffin's management likely though he was a washed-up easy 'name' to get on Griffin's record. 12 months later he was Heavyweight Champion.
Braddock took the fight at 2 days notice. Griffin's management likely though he was a washed-up easy 'name' to get on Griffin's record. 12 months later he was Heavyweight Champion.
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MightyWarrior
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 13368
- Joined: 23 Jan 2003, 14:01
Re: Last minute winners
World champ Sean O’Grady was due to defend his title against Howard Davis Jr, who pulled out injured and in came wild man Andy Ganigan on late notice. Ganigan flattened Sean in 2 rounds in a huge shock.
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JamesPhilips
- Super Bantamweight
- Posts: 6705
- Joined: 19 Mar 2021, 06:43
Re: Last minute winners
Bert Cooper came close.
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SeanBrennan
- Bantamweight
- Posts: 10023
- Joined: 12 Feb 2022, 12:45
Re: Last minute winners
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bmw hector
- Light Flyweight
- Posts: 884
- Joined: 24 Jul 2025, 16:33
Re: Last minute winners
Chris Byrd was a replacement (10 days notice) for Razor Ruddock against Vit Klit.
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Old bones Ian
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 11811
- Joined: 13 Jul 2004, 07:33
Re: Last minute winners
Lehlo Ledwaba taking on a last minute replacement called Manny Pacquiao, in hindsight it wasn't a good move.
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Old bones Ian
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 11811
- Joined: 13 Jul 2004, 07:33
Re: Last minute winners
Stevie Cruz stepped in late notice against Barry McGuigan
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mickey1975
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 23200
- Joined: 02 Mar 2009, 12:54
Re: Last minute winners
Jon Thaxton v Paul Ryan.
Re: Last minute winners
Shane McPhilbin v Leon Williams for the British cruiser title.