Top 10 Greatest Boxing Knockouts

We take a look at the top 10 greatest knockouts in boxing history.

For every master of the art of boxing, producing a 12-round display of classic backfoot pugilism, the one thing that excites and unites boxing fans time and again is a raw, brutal, knockout.

Some knockouts leave opponents lying prone on the canvas. Others see a referee jumping in at the last seconds to save a fighter from further punishment. KOs, TKOs or RSFs; the context of a knockout can sometimes be as devastating as the punch itself.

Here are 10 of the greatest knockouts that won’t be forgotten.

No.1 - George Foreman (vs Michael Moorer, 1994)

In 1994, a 45-year-old George Foreman was nearing the final throw of the dice in his attempt to become the oldest heavyweight champion.

Having already lost to Evander Holyfield and, in his most recent contest, to Tommy Morrison, Big George was being soundly outboxed for nine rounds by unified WBA and IBF king Michael Moorer.

Unbeaten in 35 contests, fast southpaw Moorer was a former light-heavyweight champion who was making big-punching Foreman look more cumbersome than methodical.

That was until the 10th round when Foreman finally found a home for the big right hand and scored a knockout that pushed him into the halls of history.

No.2 - Julian Jackson (vs Herol Graham, 1990)

Lauded as one of the best boxers never to win a world title, Sheffield-based Herol ‘Bomber’ Graham certainly showed his skills against the best around. Graham had displayed his talents at both British and European levels, so he was well equipped for this vacant WBC middleweight title opportunity.

Standing in the opposite corner was a ferocious puncher - Julian Jackson. Graham put on a boxing clinic throughout the early sessions.

Jackson only needed one chance to land. Pushing his dangerous foe against the ropes, Graham was unconscious before he even hit the floor as Jackson’s right hand finally found its target.

No.3 - Sergio Martinez (vs Paul Williams, 2010)

Following on from a first meeting that had seen Paul Williams pick up a debatable distance decision, Argentina’s Sergio Martinez was determined to take the rematch firmly out of the hands of the judges. He certainly did that.

The two southpaws played out a fairly uneventful opening round before Martinez detonated a left hand that could be heard from ringside. Williams hit the deck and was out cold. There was genuine concern both in the arena and at home for his general well-being.

No.4 - Juan Manuel Marquez (vs Manny Pacquiao IIII, 2012)

These great rivals had already boxed three times in evenly matched contests. When the fourth instalment arrived, many expected another nip and tuck affair. Both Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez instead decided to let it all hang out and decide this rivalry once and for all.

Even though Pacquiao had established a slight edge in the scoring on the previous two fights, Marquez provided the most definitive finish of them all.

Climbing off the canvas himself, the Mexican unloaded a right hand so powerful that many feared for Pacquiao’s health and welfare as his limp frame arced to the canvas in defeat. “He’s not getting up, Jim!” counselled Roy Jones Jr on the HBO commentary mic.

No.5 - Thomas Hearns (vs Roberto Duran, 1984)

Back in a golden era when a host of champions had a real inclination to continuously test themselves against one another, super-welterweights Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran laid their reputations on the line in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

Lanky Hearns was the big-punching WBC holder. Crafty 82-fight veteran Duran had previously held the WBA 154-pound strap. The smaller man struggled with Hearns’ jab and overhand right from the start.

‘Hitman’ Hearns dropped the axe in the second round to end it quickly.

No.6 - Antonio Tarver (vs Roy Jones Jr II, 2004)

For so long recognised as the main man at light-heavyweight and a pound-for-pound staple, the enigmatic Roy Jones Jr had taken his athletic gifts up to heavyweight in search of boxing greatness. Outboxing John Ruiz for a version of the heavyweight titles cemented his legacy.

After that however, Jones boiled off the additional weight too quickly and moved back down to 175 pounds to defend his belts against Florida rival Antonio Tarver. Roy appeared, in the eyes of some, to escape with a fortuitous decision. Certainly enough to warrant a rematch.

Tarver left nothing to chance, starching the champion in two rounds with a perfect left hand. Jones was immediately sent into a spiral of career decline.

No.7 - Deontay Wilder (vs Dominic Breazeale, 2019)

Already revered as a one-punch KO king, Wilder’s reputation needed little enhancement. The Alabama banger had dropped Tyson Fury twice on the way to a tight draw. Some felt the Fury rematch would inevitably end in a stunning knockout for the American.

Six months after the first Fury clash, an interim Brooklyn assignment against ponderous tree trunk Dominic Breazeale held intrigue. Breazeale’s sole loss had come to Wilder’s rival, Anthony Joshua, in seven rounds. Could Deontay smash him quicker?

Could he ever! The right hand that landed on the Californian rippled through his face and up into the rafters of the Barclays Center. It was a frightening display of heavyweight hitting.

No.8 - Hasim Rahman (vs Lennox Lewis, 2001)

Having been stopped in world-level tilts by David Tua and Oleg Maskaev, solid American challenger Hasim Rahman had built his way back into contention. Still, he was regarded by many as a routine defence of Lennox Lewis’ IBF and WBC heavyweight belts.

The long-reigning champion had been busy filming a movie and arrived in South Africa late, failing to acclimatise. That complacency would cost him dearly. Taking part in his 15th world title fight, a grinning Lewis abandoned the jab, preferring to launch right hands.

It was Rahman’s own right cross that made the difference, detonating on the champion’s chin with such ferocity that Lennox was left sprawled on the canvas in Carnival City.

No.9 - Rocky Marciano (vs Jersey Joe Walcott I, 1952)

As the old adage reminds us, never rule out a puncher. Especially back in the sepia-tinted days of 15-round fights, where even a smart boxer like Walcott could not rest on his laurels until the end. His untimely end in this contest arrived in round 13.

The quick-fisted heavyweight world champion was outboxing Marciano in Philadelphia, making true on his pre-fight proclamations of a schooling. Two of Rocky’s main assets were power and determination.

Both combined as ‘The Brockton Blockbuster’, uncorked his right hand ‘Suzie Q’ in an unlucky round 13 for the champ, who was left in a heap.

No.10 - Ray Mercer (vs Tommy Morrison, 1991)

A heavyweight battle of two devastating operators saw WBO king Morrison defend his belt at age 22 against Mercer, eight years his senior. Tommy’s speed and power told early, before ‘Merciless’ Mercer rapidly turned things around in the fifth round.

One of the things turned around was Morrison’s head as he suffered one of the most unsightly knockouts you could witness. Mercer hurt Morrison and proceeded to land a series of sickening skull-snapping shots before the referee belatedly stepped in, aided by the commission, to halt the massacre.

Undeterred, Morrison was back in the ring just four months later, busily engaging in six fights the following year!