The anatomy of an upset – how underdogs catch champions sleeping

Becoming one of the best fighters in the world is a full-time role that requires equal parts mental toughness and skill. With so many world-class combat athletes already flying high, it’s clear that any would-be champion would need to record a boxing underdog success story at some point.

Upsets make sporting events more exciting to fans, athletes, and pundits alike–after all, why watch if the outcome was a certainty? We wanted to explore some key components leading to these boxing underdog upsets, as they are surely not random. There must be components of a recipe.

• What’s the mentality behind upsets? 
• How do top fighters react during a disappointing bout?

The mentality of a boxing underdog

Mental toughness was on full display when a then-underdog Andy Ruiz Jr. faced off with an undefeated heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, in mid-2019. Yes, the same heavyweight in Joshua who will fight Jake Paul on December 19 at what will be one of the biggest sports streaming audiences in history.

Despite being a last-minute replacement for the full bout, Ruiz Jr. put up an inspirational performance that seemed destined for the record books.

To the surprise of virtually everyone, Joshua suffered his first career defeat to Ruiz Jr. after the referee stopped the game in the seventh round. So inspiring was Ruiz Jr., Upset that his victory was compared to when Buster Douglas upset Mike Tyson in 1990.

Details of Ruiz Jr’s upset tell a lot about fight psychology and ring upsets. Let’s see a few helpful tips that demonstrate the anatomy of upsets in boxing and combat sports.

Boxing underdog – playing with nothing to lose

Moreover, there’s an underlying belief that the higher-ranked fighter has far more to lose than the lower-ranked side. To put that into perspective, add money to the mix. Would you expect that a lower ranked poker player would have more to lose than a higher-ranked one? If you were a beginner bettor in, say, UK or Poland and looking for legal casinos from review sites like https://pl.polskiesloty.com/legalne-kasyna/, no one would beat you up for losing at cards to Daniel Negranu. Similarly, you won’t readily berate an underdog fighter for losing to prime Mike Tyson or Anthony Joshua. If anything, there is more pressure on the favorite.

2. The Right Response to Knock Outs?

Getting back to our Ruiz Jr example, the fight might have gone down in history as his most important moment in the ring. But it was never a walk in the park. Besides multiple knocks to his face, Ruiz was knocked down in the third round, and many thought the fight would soon end in Joshua’s favour.

However, in the same round, Ruiz Jr dealt Joshua a terrific counter that altered the complete trajectory of the fight. The same principles are easily transferable to other underdog stories.

It’s not a matter of if, but when the knocks will come. However, a fighter’s true character test comes during such situations. Knocks and hits would come during bouts. But an effective counter response can readily sustain your chances in the game.

Good strategy and execution wins

While many fighters focus on external metrics like training, talent, or pundits’ appraisals, they’re potentially overlooking major aspects of the game. Top fighters know too well to take media hype ahead of matches with a pinch of salt. Instead, underdogs must concentrate on their strategy and execution–the mental side.

Ruiz Jr reportedly studied Mike Tyson’s technique in gameplanning. Rather than over-relying on his talent or natural aptitude, Ruiz Jr took some time to master from the game’s biggest names.

Boxing underdog – looks can be deceptive 

Another reason why this massive Ruiz upset shocked many was the vast disparity between the physiques of both fighters. While Joshua is chiseled with an “ideal” body frame, Ruiz Jr. has a completely opposite body.

Ruiz Jr might fail at a modeling competition, but he had something more crucial than looks: swift hands, mental toughness, and fluidity. Beyond ensuring your physical outlook is healthy, the right approach can help fighters create their unique underdog story.

Many talented boxers look the part, having taken their gym sessions seriously. However, sadly, that’s not usually the most important trait. People who train their mindset and prepare adequately ahead of their bout are on course to a victory–and it can even mean the next underdog story.

Conclusion 

Upsets and underdog stories would never end. However, if fighters keep their focus on the game/match in the NOW and stay away from “trying too hard” to beat media hype, they’re more likely to emerge unexpectedly victorious or preserve prized history at the end of the game.