BoxRec

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.

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…

Andy Ruiz, how much notice did he get ?

Bonecrusher Smith v Witherspoon

Steve Robinson an obvious one here - 48 hours notice against Davison.

paultom wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026, 03:02 Andy Ruiz, how much notice did he get ?

1st May.

A month before the fight.

He put his name forward before he fought Dmitrenko.. on 22 April he had a meeting with Hearn.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026, 07:48

paultom wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026, 03:02 Andy Ruiz, how much notice did he get ?

1st May.

A month before the fight.

He put his name forward before he fought Dmitrenko.. on 22 April he had a meeting with Hearn.

cheers, not really last minute then.

paultom wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026, 07:49

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026, 07:48

paultom wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026, 03:02 Andy Ruiz, how much notice did he get ?

1st May.

A month before the fight.

He put his name forward before he fought Dmitrenko.. on 22 April he had a meeting with Hearn.

cheers, not really last minute then.

More “last month” hahah

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

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.

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.

Bert Cooper came close.

Deserter wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026, 06:08 Steve Robinson an obvious one here - 48 hours notice against Davison.

Great shout

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026, 14:34

Deserter wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026, 06:08 Steve Robinson an obvious one here - 48 hours notice against Davison.

Great shout

Chris Byrd was a replacement (10 days notice) for Razor Ruddock against Vit Klit.

Lehlo Ledwaba taking on a last minute replacement called Manny Pacquiao, in hindsight it wasn't a good move.

Stevie Cruz stepped in late notice against Barry McGuigan

Jon Thaxton v Paul Ryan.

Shane McPhilbin v Leon Williams for the British cruiser title.

olij999 wrote: ↑28 Aug 2026, 06:52 Shane McPhilbin v Leon Williams for the British cruiser title.

Great shout. Huge upset