In boxing, the uppercut is among the most exciting punches and of a lot of effects. As a punch, this one has been directly credited for stopping many a fight and it has contributed to some most iconic scenes in this sport.
Certain uppercut knockouts are so famous that even fans are likely to remember specific moments of a fight that have demonstrated tactical savvy as well as sheer power.
In this article, we are going to be looking at the top ten most memorable uppercut knockouts in boxing history, Read on!
What Does the Term ‘Uppercut punch’ mean in Boxing?
An uppercut is an upward-thrown punch that is commonly delivered at close range but can be delivered from mid-range as well. It is not usually used from a distance because, in most cases, the flight path makes the forearm end in a right angle with the ground, thus having a very short range.
Punch can be thrown with both hands and while it is mostly targeted at the chin it can target the body as well.
Key Characteristics:
- Angle and Motion: Hitting power is generated from below and therefore is not easy to block off like the straight punches like the jabs and crosses.
- Target: The main point of impact is the opponent’s jaw, but it could well be the ‘equipment’ or the chest, abdomen, or ribs.
- Power Source: Speaking of the uppercut the power comes from the legs and hip. A Boxer will employ flexes at the knee joints and will turn the back foot as well as turn in the hips to throw the punch in an upward motion.
- Situational Use: Blow and counter blows are most effective when used in close situations commonly referred to as the clinch range or even when the opponent has been backed up and lowered his guard brought in close.
A well-placed hook, often when the opponent has been forced into an unfavorable position, can put one’s opponent out of business, but it often leaves the delivering boxer in a similar position so the aim and time factor are paramount.
The 10 Most Memorable Uppercut Knockouts in Boxing History
Below are the top ten most memorable uppercut knockouts in the history of boxing:
Gervonta Davis vs Leo Santa Cruz
Last Halloween night proved to be one of the most memorable fights in Davis’ boxing career when he fought against Santa Cruz. It was a big challenge for Davis at that period but he met it squarely.
The contest was Stalin for the full twelve rounds but it was great, great in the sixth round, said Davis. Laying another burst on Santa Cruz, Davis maneuvered him to the corner and landed the final punch, an uppercut that sent Santa Cruz rolling off the seat without getting up again.
For the first time, it was the end for Santa Cruz whose career had not known how to be halted before this match.
Pacquiao vs. Narongrit Pirang (Fahsan 3K Battery)
This fight was an early introduction to Pacquiao’s stock and steel success and allowed the Filipino showman an opportunity to demonstrate that he packed a big punch as well. Pacquiao then came back to his home country Philippines in 2004 to fight Thailand’s Narongrit Pirang more famously known as Fahsan 3K Battery.
Already at the ring opening, Pacquiao performed impressively, sending Pirang down twice, once in the second and third rounds. The fourth round was the bout’s end when he landed an excellent punch that knocked Pirang off his feet, and the Filipino fans loved it.
Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz
There is no shortage of violent knockouts in boxing but Marquez’s 2009 knockout of Juan Diaz is well up there as among the most vicious stoppages of the sport. For the WBO, IBO, and WBA lightweight championship titles, the two fighters landed hard punches on each other.
Marquez, however, was able to outdo the young man with his craftiness and ability to out-punch him with side punches and some uppercuts. But in the ninth round, one of those uppercuts dropped Diaz from the punches and the impact made him knock down from where he was seated.
Ray Mercer Vs Francesco Damiani
One of the best fights to ever happen was Ray Mercer’s knockout of Francesco Damiani in 1989. There were exchanges of power punches by both fighters throughout the fight but it was the right hook of Mercer in the ninth round that knocked Manswell out. It was a devastating punch that not only knocked Damiani to the canvass but he was spitting blood out of his nose.
Earnie Shavers vs. Jimmy Ellis
Probably the best knockdown of the year took place in early November, when Earnie Shavers knocked out Jimm It was all business in the early goings, Ellis putting Shavers on the canvas in the first round but Shavers got off the deck. At the end of the first round, Shaver’s unleashed a devastating uppercut that signaled the end for Ellis from the count.
The knockout was very similar to the burst that Shavers showed in the fight’s finale.
George Foreman vs Joe Frazier
At some time in 1973, George Foreman had his most memorable knockout of his career against Joe Frazier. During the fight Foreman put Frazier on the canvas six times before, in the second round, delivering a stunning knockout punch to the body that lifted the challenger off his feet.
It was completely authoritarian and showed how much power Foreman had.
Gerry Cooney vs. Ken Norton
Of the many good ones such as Gerry Cooney’s knockout of Ken Norton in 1981 and many others. This fight saw Norton go down from a strong uppercut by Cooney in the thirteenth round. Norton took a severe beating during this fight and he retired immediately after that.
Vinnie Pazienza vs Roy Jones Jr.
If this is not enough then the 1995 fight of Roy Jones Jr against Vinnie Pazienza was one of the most sensational and unforgettable uppercuts in boxing. Although the sixth round was probably the best, an uppercut from Jones floored Pazienza and it made Jones one of the best fighters of his generation.
Rocky Marciano vs. Joe Louis
Every fighting fan knows about how Joe Louis was defeated by Knockout by Rocky Marciano in the year 1951. At the end of the eighth round Marciano with a single uppercut laid Louis flat on the floor. The knockout was so vicious that this is still considered one of the hardest in the history of the fights.
Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks
Ranking first is Michael Tyson against Michael Spinks in 1988 with Tyson knocking out Spinks. As labeled as the “The Battle of the Titans” the fight met the expectations.
At that time Tyson had a record of thirty-five professional bouts and had not tasted a defeat, while Spinks also started with thirty-one bouts and also did not taste a defeat. From the beginning of the fight, Tyson was relentless and it only took him the first round to knock Spinks to the canvas with a devastating uppercut.
This was another loss for Spinks who had never lost any match and also truncated his boxing career.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the most iconic knockout in boxing?
Among the most memorable ones, one could famish George Foreman’s knockout of Michael Moorer on November 5, 1994. Foreman, now forty-six years old was able to floor George with a right to the chin in the tenth round to win the heavyweight championship, a title he lost to Muhammad Ali twenty years ago.
Who punches the fastest in the history of boxing?
Phil Williams established the record of the knockout in professional boxing. On June 12 2007 the former made quick work of the opponent, Brandon Burke sending him to the canvas within 10 seconds of the bout at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul Minnesota.
Who among the current world boxers of different weight divisions have beaten most of the champions?
Current non-institutional American boxing champion Floyd Mayweather is the record holder in this division having defeated 23 world champions in fights. This represents slightly over thirty percent of his bouts; the man indeed has fought some of the best talents out there.
Who do people now credit as being the most frightening boxer of all time?
Mike Tyson is most widely known as the most terrifying boxer in the history of this sport. In the 1980s “Iron Mike” with his aggressive and vastly powerful punches remained a terror for his rivals.
What is the most painful punch in boxing?
It is believed that a punch to the liver area is the most painful punch in the box. It can also kill and bring very sharp and intense pain that can easily knock out an enemy.
Conclusion
The uppercut is one of the most effective blows in the records of boxing, many unforgettable knockdowns happened due to the impact of this blow.
Starting with Mike Tyson’s ending punches to Lennox Lewis’s precise annihilations, each uppercut provides the viewer with precise dynamism of power, tempo & style implemented for this punch.
These knockouts, aside from exhibiting skills of not only the participants but also of the elegance and savagery of the boxing, make fans of this game include in their memory pictures of what can happen in the ring proceeding, performances’ shocking eventualities of the sport.
