Boxing Scandals That Left Everyone Speechless

Boxing has a long and storied history, but it’s also been marred by numerous scandals over the years. From question marks over all-natural libido enhancers impacting performance to seemingly purposefully-skewed rankings to push an agenda, there have been some wild claims over the years. We can’t list them all, but we can certainly take a stab at coming up with our list of the most interesting events that turned boxing on its head.

Top 10 Boxing Scandals That Shook the Sport:

1. Luis Resto’s Tampered Gloves

In 1983, Luis Resto faced Billy Collins Jr. in what would become one of boxing’s most disturbing incidents. Resto’s trainer, Panama Lewis, removed padding from his gloves, essentially turning them into weapons. Collins suffered severe facial injuries that ended his career. The aftermath was tragic – Collins died in a car accident less than a year later, while Resto and Lewis were convicted of assault and conspiracy, receiving prison sentences and lifetime bans from boxing.

2. Mike Tyson Bites Evander Holyfield’s Ear

The 1997 rematch between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield shocked the world when Tyson bit off a piece of Holyfield’s ear. This act of desperation led to Tyson’s disqualification, a $3 million fine, and a temporary ban from boxing. The incident remains one of the most infamous moments in sports history.

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3. Antonio Margarito’s Loaded Gloves

In 2009, Antonio Margarito was caught with illegal hand wraps containing plaster of Paris before his fight with Shane Mosley. This scandal raised questions about Margarito’s previous victories and led to a one-year ban from boxing. The incident tarnished Margarito’s reputation and cast a shadow over his entire career.

4. Jake LaMotta Takes a Dive

In 1947, Jake LaMotta, later immortalized in the film “Raging Bull,” intentionally lost a fight against Billy Fox. LaMotta admitted to throwing the fight in exchange for a promised title shot and $20,000 from the mob. This incident highlighted the mafia’s influence in boxing during that era.

5. Muhammad Ali’s Boxing License Revocation

In 1967, Muhammad Ali refused to be drafted into the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. As a result, the New York State Athletic Commission revoked his boxing license, and other commissions followed suit. This controversial decision cost Ali three prime years of his career and sparked debates about athletes’ rights and political activism.

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6. Roy Jones Jr.’s Olympic Robbery

At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Roy Jones Jr. dominated his final match against South Korean Park Si-Hun. Despite clearly outboxing his opponent, Jones was denied the gold medal in a highly controversial decision. This incident is widely regarded as one of the most blatant examples of corruption in Olympic boxing history.

7. IBF Bribery Scandal

In 1999, an FBI investigation revealed widespread corruption within the IBF. IBF President Robert Lee was arrested, along with three other officials, for taking bribes to manipulate rankings and sanction fights. The scandal implicated over 23 boxers and 7 promoters, including high-profile figures like Don King and Bob Arum.

8. Edwin Valero’s Murder-Suicide

Edwin Valero was an undefeated world champion with a perfect knockout record when his career came to a shocking end in 2010. Valero was arrested for murdering his wife and subsequently committed suicide in his jail cell. This tragic incident highlighted the dark side of boxing and the personal struggles some fighters face[3].

9. Duk Koo Kim’s Death and Its Aftermath

The 1982 fight between Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Duk Koo Kim ended in tragedy when Kim died from brain injuries four days after the bout. This incident led to significant changes in boxing, including the reduction of championship fights from 15 to 12 rounds. It also had a profound impact on Mancini’s career and life.

10. The WBA’s Questionable Rankings

In a bizarre incident that highlighted the questionable practices of boxing sanctioning bodies, the WBA ranked a deceased fighter at #11 in their junior flyweight ratings just five years ago. This embarrassing mistake exposed the lack of due diligence and potential corruption within boxing’s governing organizations.

These scandals have left an indelible mark on boxing’s history, prompting calls for reform and stricter oversight. While the sport has made strides in addressing some of these issues, the ongoing challenge remains to ensure fair competition and maintain the integrity of the sweet science.