Skip to content
bet365 Sports & Betting News Join
GO TO bet365 Sports
Boxing
  1. Boxing
  2. Boxing News

One professional boxer versus a gorilla: who would win in a fight?

Imagine this: a silverback gorilla, 400lbs of muscle and menace, squaring up in a boxing ring.

The internet’s been going bananas over this kind of thing since a 2020 Reddit thread went viral on TikTok in 2022, sparking debates about whether 100 unarmed men could take down one gorilla.

UFC legend Georges St-Pierre weighed in on X, saying, “I think it would be 100 men, if they are smart enough to go all at once and rush together. Of course there will be casualties, but there you go, you have it from a so-called expert.”

Tech titan Elon Musk chimed in with a cheeky, “Sure, what’s the worst that could happen?” Primatologist Michelle Rodrigues told Rolling Stone, “As strong as gorillas are, and as much damage as their canines can do, it’s not a fair fight, and a sensible gorilla would try to flee. But via numerical odds assessment, I don’t think there’s much chance of a gorilla winning the fight when they have 100 humans to contend with.”

No one’s suggesting we stage this showdown unless Hollywood greenlights Planet of the Apes: Rumble in the Jungle with CGI galore.

But let’s dial it back to a one-on-one fantasy fight.

Boxers, those “daredevils of sport” (as Chris Eubank Jr. calls them), are forged in a land of physical and mental grit.

With 17 weight classes and fists flying weekly, we at bet365 wondered: which pugilists, past or present, could stare down a gorilla and maybe, just maybe, walk away with a win?

Here’s our tongue-in-cheek rundown of the fighters who might make a gorilla think twice before stepping into the ring.

Boxing

Upcoming Fights & Bet Boosts

James J. Jeffries

The Boilermaker was a beast in human form, a turn-of-the-century titan who once knocked out James J. Corbett in the 23rd round of a gruelling 25-round heavyweight title bout in 1900.

Built like a brick wall, Jeffries could take a beating and dish out worse.

A gorilla might toss him around, but Jeffries would probably just spit out his mouthpiece, grin, and keep swinging.

Sleepless nights? The gorilla’s the one tossing and turning.

Jack Dempsey

The Manassa Mauler’s scowl could make a lion second-guess its life choices.

His relentless, in-your-face style and bone-crushing power would have the gorilla backpedalling faster than a rookie at a sparring session.

Dempsey wouldn’t stop until either he or the gorilla was out cold, or until the gorilla begged for a timeout to recover.

Joe Louis

The Brown Bomber, ranked the hardest-hitting pound-for-pound puncher in history by The Ring, had speed and power that left opponents kissing the canvas.

Against a gorilla, Louis would dance around those massive paws, landing jabs so fast the beast would think it wandered into a blender.

The gorilla might charge, but Louis would counter with a combo that’d have it seeing stars.

Rocky Marciano

The 1950s heavyweight champ might be a cruiserweight today, but his 88% knockout ratio proves he hit like a freight train.

Marciano’s charm was as legendary as his fists.

He’d probably sweet-talk the gorilla into a pre-fight smoothie date, only to sneak in an uppercut when it wasn’t looking.

Friends? Maybe. Foes? Definitely not for long.

Sonny Liston

This guy’s jab was scarier than most boxers’ haymakers.

Liston’s aura alone sent opponents running, and his icy stare would make a gorilla reconsider its life in the jungle. The beast might charge, but Liston’s “I eat gorillas for breakfast” vibe would have it second-guessing before the bell rang.

George Foreman

Show a gorilla the footage of Foreman flattening Joe Frazier in 1973, and it’d probably flee to the nearest zoo for safety.

Young Foreman was a wrecking ball, and even his later, grill-pitching self would probably convince the gorilla to buy a Lean Mean Grilling Machine instead of throwing punches.

Earnie Shavers

Never a champ, but Shavers’ right hand was a force of nature.

With 68 knockouts in 74 wins, he hit so hard Muhammad Ali claimed it “shook my kinfolk back in Africa.”

One clean shot from the Black Destroyer, and the gorilla’s dreaming of bananas in a jungle far, far away.

Mike Tyson

Iron Mike owned a pet tiger named Kenya for 16 years, so a gorilla wouldn’t faze him.

His speed, power, and downright terrifying presence would have the beast cowering.

Tyson’s stare alone might convince the gorilla to tap out and sign up for his podcast instead.

Deontay Wilder

The Bronze Bomber’s right hand is a one-hit wonder in the best way possible.

Limited in technique but nuclear in power, Wilder versus a gorilla would be a classic “who lands first” showdown.

If Wilder connects, the gorilla’s waking up in next week’s headlines.

Artur Beterbiev

The Russian wrecking ball doesn’t knock you out with one punch, he dismantles you like an IKEA bookshelf gone wrong.

Undefeated at light-heavyweight until Dmitry Bivol outsmarted him, Beterbiev’s relentless pressure would wear down even a gorilla.

By round three, the beast would be begging for a cage, not a ring.

Related Articles

bet365 uses cookies

We use cookies to deliver a better and more personalised service. For more information, see our Cookie Policy

New to bet365? Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets Join Now

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.