To succeed professionally in the ring, boxers need to possess extraordinary talent and bravery. Even the most skilled fighters’ skills can be overpowered by the sheer force of a knockout blow, which can end a fight quickly.
Boxing’s legendary past is filled with remarkable fights that featured intense exchanges that kept viewers enthralled for the entire ten to twelve rounds.
However, nothing nearly has the same impact on onlookers as the sight of a vicious knockout, where a fight is decisively ended by bone-crushing force.
Yes, there is still nothing like the thrill of seeing the most brutal knockouts in the history of boxing.
Who is the Greatest Knockouts Artist in Boxing History?
Billy Bird of the UK holds the record for the most knockouts in boxing history, having scored an incredible 139 knockouts in his 356 professional fights. In addition to his remarkable number of knockouts, Bird’s career record was 260 wins, 73 losses, and 20 draws.
When we explore the world’s most brutal knockouts in the history of boxing Bird’s supremacy in the ring undoubtedly makes an impact.
More: The Top 6 Biggest paychecks in Boxing History
Ranking the 15 most Brutal Knockouts in Boxing History
Below are the 15 most brutal knockouts in boxing’s rich history:
15. Earnie Shavers vs. Jimmy Ellis
Earnie Shavers displayed one of the most brutal knockouts in Madison Square Garden in New York on June 18, 1973, rendering Jimmy Ellis unconscious and convulsing in the ring.
Shaver’s came into the fight with a strong record of 45 wins, 2 losses, and an amazing run of 32 wins in a row. He also had an amazing 97 percent knockout-to-win ratio, with 44 of his 45 victories coming via knockout. Shavers is now regarded as one of the greatest punchers in boxing history.
14. Nonito Donaire vs. Fernando Montiel
At the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nonito Donaire easily defeated Fernando Montiel with a knockout in the second round of their fight for the WBC and WBO bantamweight titles.
Following an early setback in his professional career, Donaire’s triumph was his 24th straight win, solidifying his reputation as a fearsome force in the boxing world. Donaire won the WBC and WBO titles after defeating the equally strong Fernando Montiel.
The knockout’s aftermath presented a bleak image, as Montiel was helped to his feet while exhibiting signs of extreme agony that resembled a seizure
13. Buster Douglas vs. Mike Tyson
On February 11, 1990, in a historic upset in the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, “Iron” Mike Tyson, who was undefeated going into the fight, was knocked out by Buster Douglas, a 42-1 underdog, in the tenth round of their heavyweight title match.
After that momentous win, Douglas lost his next fight against Evander Holyfield and never rose to fame in the boxing world again. Nonetheless, his incredible victory over one of the sport’s icons will live on in boxing history.
12. Mike Weaver vs. John Tate
On March 21, 1980, Mike Weaver and John Tate squared off at the Stokley Athletics Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Mike Weaver stunned Tate with a brutal knockout.
The devastating strike landed in the final seconds of the fifteenth and final round of their heavyweight bout, making the knockout even more impressive considering the furious action that had taken place throughout the previous fourteen rounds.
Such a spectacle is unlikely to occur again because boxing contests are currently limited to 12 rounds, which emphasizes the significance of this moment in history.
11. Roy Jones Jr. vs. Montell Griffin II
On August 7, 1997, Roy Jones Jr. stunned Montell Griffin with a quick first-round knockout at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
Jones Jr. went into the fight looking for payback. He wanted to exact revenge on Griffin for disqualifying him from his first professional fight five months earlier for a contentious hit that happened while Griffin was down.
With a clear goal in mind, Jones Jr. made sure everyone in the boxing world knew he was the best by easily defeating Griffin. Jones Jr.’s decisive victory confirmed his place among the top athletes in the sport and was a tribute to his tenacity and talent.
10. Kermit Cintron vs. Walter Dario Mathyesse
Kermit Cintron gave Walter Dario Mathyesse a career-defining blow on July 14, 2007, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, and won the fight via knockout in the second round.
Throughout the short fight, Cintron demonstrated his superiority, which culminated in a brutal sequence that saw Mathyesse twice knocked to the mat before he executed a last-minute, game-winning left-right combination to win.
9. Glen Johnson vs. Roy Jones Jr.
In the ninth round of their planned 12-round fight on September 25, 2004, Roy Jones Jr. was devastatingly knocked out by Glen Johnson at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Jones Jr. suffered another defeat after losing to Antonio Tarver recently when Johnson struck him with a strong right to the side of his head, knocking him out and leaving him lying on the mat for a few minutes after the fight.
This terrifying incident represents one of the most brutal knockouts in the history of boxing, highlighting how cruel the sport can be.
8. Lennox Lewis vs. Hasim Rahman
Lennox Lewis dealt Hasim Rahman a devastating punch, akin to his victory in their first meeting, on November 17, 2001, at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas via knockout.
Following his successful legal defense to force an instant rematch with Rahman, Lewis cemented his supremacy in the ring. After winning his rematch with Rahman, Lewis went on to successfully defend his belt twice more, stopping strong opponents like Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko both via knockout.
The savage knockout of Rahman was one of these victories that cemented Lewis’s reputation as one of the most dominant heavyweight champions in boxing history.
7. Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton
On May 2, 2007, at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao delivered a shocking knockout over the hitherto unflappable Ricky Hatton, marking a turning point in his career.
Driven by the ambition to surpass Floyd Mayweather’s decisive victory over Hatton, Pacquiao produced an incredible display, winning the fight in just the second round. After losing to Mayweather, Hatton bounced back with back-to-back victories, but he was unable to hold off Pacquiao’s constant pressure.
Hatton’s remarkable career came to an end with this stunning knockout; he left the sport after the match. Pacquiao’s decisive victory cemented his place in boxing history as a great fighter and is considered one of the most brutal knockouts in the history of boxing.
6. Gerry Cooney vs. Ken Norton
Ken Norton was rendered unconscious on March 11, 1981, at Madison Square Garden in New York City by Gerry Cooney’s quick and decisive first-round knockout.
Norton’s career was prematurely halted by Cooney’s unrelenting assault of blows; this fight was to be Norton’s last.
After defeating Norton, Cooney went up against Larry Holmes but lost via TKO, ending his hopes of winning the title. Cooney has losses even though he prevailed in three of his final five fights; his final battle ended in a knockout loss to George Foreman.
This incredible encounter is remembered as one of the most brutal knockouts in the history of boxing, demonstrating the cruel nature of the game.
5. Michael Spinks vs. Mike Tyson
On June 27, 1988, Mike Tyson defeated Michael Spinks with an unforgettable knockout in the Convention Hall in Atlantic City.
Tyson faced the unbeaten Spinks, who had a perfect record of 31-0 with 21 wins by knockout, coming into the fight having successfully defended the title seven times in a row, five of them times by knockout.
Even though many people considered Spinks to be the real champion, Tyson proved his might by being the first and only person to knock Spinks out and give him his first professional loss. Spinks left the game after this heartbreaking loss.
It is still regarded as one of the most brutal knockouts in the history of boxing, and it ended Spinks’ career.
4. Ray Mercer vs. Tommy Morrison
Tommy Morrison was spectacularly knocked out by Ray Mercer on October 18, 1991, at the Convention Center in Atlantic City, following a vicious onslaught of blows.
Both fighters came into the battle with perfect records: Morrison had a remarkable run of 28 straight victories, 23 of which came via knockout, and Mercer was 17-0 after winning the WBO heavyweight title over Francesco Damiani.
Mercer won the bout hands down, using superior technique and unrelenting aggression to overwhelm Morrison. Morrison finally gave in to the intensity of Mercer’s attack since he was unable to produce a convincing offensive against him.
As one of the most brutal knockouts in the history of boxing, this historic victory cemented Mercer’s standing as a deadly force in the heavyweight class.
3. David Tua vs. John Ruiz
On March 16, 1996, at the Convention Center in Atlantic City, David Tua defeated John Ruiz with a devastating knockout, displaying thundering authority. The fight was for the WBC international heavyweight title.
Tua, who was then 22-0 on the scorecard, went into the ring knowing exactly what he wanted—a knockout over Ruiz, who was 25-2. In an unexpected change of events, Tua quickly reached his objective and the competition was over in just 19 seconds. Tua startled Ruiz with a strong left, then pummeled him until he lost consciousness.
The ferocity of the knockout was increased when Tua delivered a crushing left hand to Ruiz as he fell to the ground, worsening his unconscious condition. This incredible event, which showcases Tua’s fierce hitting strength and control in the ring, goes down in history as one of the most brutal knockouts.
2. Arturo Gatti vs. Joey Gamache
During their fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 26, 2000, the legendary Arturo Gatti destroyed Joey Gamache with a devastating demonstration of his famed brawling style and knockout capability.
In the second round, Gatti wrecked Gamache with a brutal left-right-left combination that left Gamache sprawled on the mat. Gamache’s head bounced off the ring after the collision, rendering him unconscious and intensifying the savagery of the knockout.
Gamache unfortunately suffered major brain damage and lost his boxing career as a result of this knockout. Gamache explained that Gatti’s large weight gain since the weigh-in the day before was the reason for the severity of the knockdown. Gamache filed a lawsuit against Gatti, but in the end, his case was dismissed.
This terrifying incident, which is still regarded as one of the most brutal knockouts in the history of boxing, highlights the inherent risks of the game and the disastrous effects that can come from strikes with such force.
1. Julian Jackson vs. Herol Graham
During their WBC middleweight title battle on November 24, 1990, at the Torrequebrada Hotel and Casino in Benalmadena, Andalucía, Spain, Julian Jackson stunned Herol Graham with a spectacular one-shot knockout.
Graham was knocked out cold by the force of Jackson’s right hand, which also sent him flying to the ground. Graham’s skull smashed onto the ring surface with such force that the blow was amplified by a brutal head bounce, rendering him unconscious for around five minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Who has the Highest KO in Boxing History?
With an astounding record of 138 knockouts, Billy Bird stands out as the artist with the most brutal knockout in the history of boxing. Archie Moore, with 132 knockouts, is not far behind, and Young Stribling, with an astounding 129 knockouts, is not far behind.
Which Boxing Knockout Streak has Been the Longest in History?
Born in the United States on December 1, 1934, Lamar Clark owns the record for the most brutal knockouts in the history of boxing. From 1958 to January 11, 1960, he achieved an incredible 44 straight KOs. Remarkably, on December 1, 1958, at an event in Bingham, Utah, USA, he scored six knockouts in one night, five of which came in the opening round.
How Many KO did Muhammad Ali Win?
Even while several boxers have equaled his final record of 56 wins and 5 loses, very few have fought opponents of the caliber Lamar Clark did or dominated in such a merciless way that he cemented his place among boxing's greats. In the ring, Ali was most known for his speed, superb footwork, and fortitude in the face of the most brutal knockout boxer in history.
Has any Boxer Died in the Ring?
There are more than 2,000 boxers who have died in the ring or from injuries they suffered; 1,865 of them were reported in Manuel Velazquez's analysis of deaths from 1720 to 2011. More than 2,000 of these brutal knockouts in boxing have occurred in more than a decade.
What is Considered the Greatest Fight of all Time?
The third and final fight between heavyweights Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali took place in the surprising city of Manila, Philippines, on October 1, 1975. It's the greatest boxing match ever, in my opinion, and it was really cruel. As great boxers, Ali and Frazier tested each other to the fury of the most brutal knockouts in the history of boxing
Conclusion
The most brutal knockouts in the history of boxing serve as vivid memories of the brutality and raw intensity of the sport. These incidents, which will live on in the collective memory of fighters and fans alike, are a sobering reminder of the dangers involved in chasing pugilistic fame in addition to being a monument to human tenacity.
These knockout hits transcend simple sportsmanship and capture the fundamental nature of fighting, from the tremendous blows that echo across crowded arenas to the strange calm that follows a fighter’s fall to the canvas.
Nevertheless, despite the cruelty and spectacle, there is a deep regard for the bravery and selflessness shown by those who venture inside the ropes.