December 10: This Day in Boxing History – A Day of Comebacks, Chaos and Classic Battles

December 10: This Day in Boxing History – A Day of Comebacks, Chaos and Classic Battles

December 10 has long stood as a date of dramatic twists in boxing’s storied annals; where champions have been tested, legends have been born, and controversies have unfolded under bright lights. Whether it’s the grit and resilience of an aging champion clawing back from the brink, the explosive rise of a young hopeful, or the contentious early-round finish that leaves a crowd roaring in disbelief, this day encapsulates boxing’s full spectrum: glory, heartbreak, redemption, and raw human spirit. As we turn the calendar page to December 10, we revisit a tapestry of fights that reflect the sport’s enduring capacity to enthrall, surprise, and define those who step into the ring.

1923 — Gene Tunney outpoints Harry Greb (Light Heavyweight)

Gene Tunney secured a 15-round unanimous decision over Harry Greb at Madison Square Garden. The result bolstered Tunney’s reputation as a skilled, resilient boxer, while Greb’s toughness and volume punching continued to cement him as one of the toughest, most relentless fighters of his era. This battle, amid many in their storied rivalry, helped define the hard-nosed, classical style of early 20th-century light-heavyweight boxing.

1958 — Archie Moore vs Yvon Durelle: One of Boxing’s Greatest Comebacks

“The Ol’ Mongoose,” Archie Moore, defended his world light-heavyweight title at the Forum in Montreal against Canadian challenger Yvon “The Fighting Fisherman” Durelle. In what many consider one of the greatest fights ever, Moore was knocked down three times in the first round (and a fourth time in Round 5), yet somehow survived. Moore eventually regained control, dropping Durelle multiple times, and finishing him with an 11th-round knockout.

1982 — Michael Dokes Stops Mike Weaver to Claim WBA Heavyweight Title

At Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Michael Dokes challenged Mike Weaver for the WBA heavyweight championship. Dokes came out aggressively, and at 1:03 of the opening round, he landed a left hook that sent Weaver down; shortly after, the referee waved off the fight, giving Dokes a controversial first-round TKO. The result sparked outrage among fans. A brawl broke out between the camps, cementing the fight’s place among boxing’s most contentious heavyweight endings.

1994 – Oscar De La Hoya vs John Avila

Oscar De La Hoya made a successful defense of his WBO lightweight title with a 9th-round TKO against John Avila in Los Angeles. This fight came not long after De La Hoya had captured the title, marking his rapid consolidation as a rising star.

1994 — Jorge Castro Scores 9th-Round TKO over John David Jackson (WBA Middleweight)

In Monterrey, Mexico, Jorge Castro pulled off a dramatic comeback: trailing badly on the cards and taking heavy punishment, he dropped John David Jackson with a left hook in Round 9. The referee stopped the fight after two more knockdowns, awarding Castro a ninth-round TKO and allowing him to retain the WBA middleweight title. The bout was later named “Fight of the Year” by many boxing publications, remembered for its drama, momentum shifts, and Castro’s refusal to quit.

December 10 has repeatedly proven to be a date of drama, redemption, controversy, and unforgettable human spirit

From Gene Tunney’s hard-earned victory in the 1920s, through Archie Moore’s legendary comeback, to Dokes’s contentious heavyweight breakthrough and Castro’s gritty title defense, this day has showcased a cross-section of boxing’s best and most raw traits: technique, resilience, heart, and chaos.

INTERESTING FACTS:

Gene Tunney vs Harry Greb (1923)

This was the third fight in a brutal five-bout rivalry that would ultimately end 3–1-1 in Tunney’s favor. Greb was the only man to ever beat Tunney as a professional.

Harry Greb was known as “The Human Windmill” for throwing nonstop punches , often hundreds per round.

Gene Tunney was a self-educated intellectual who read Shakespeare, Plato, and the classics. Contemporary writers often compared him to a Hemingway-era “gentleman warrior.”

Archie Moore vs Yvon Durelle I (1958)

Moore, in his early 40s, famously showed up to the pre-fight weigh-in wearing a midnight-blue tuxedo, homburg hat, and silver-topped cane.

Yvon Durelle was a fisherman and lobster boat operator. He trained between long work shifts and fought Moore while still working full time.

Durelle knocked Moore down three times in Round 1, but stood over him after one knockdown, delaying the referee’s count. This move may likely have cost him the title.

Many observers name it among the greatest “come back from the brink” fights in boxing history

The fight was among the earlier title bouts broadcast coast-to-coast in North America, marking a leap forward in televised boxing.

Even in defeat, Durelle became a national folk hero overnight in Canada. He symbolized the rugged working-class fighter who nearly upset a legend.

Michael Dokes vs Mike Weaver (1982)

 The fight ended in just 63 seconds, one of the shortest heavyweight title bouts ever.

Only 27 days earlier, Duk Koo Kim had died from injuries in a title fight. This deeply influenced referees to favor quicker stoppages and many believe this context shaped the early call.

The crowd erupted, chanting “Fix!” and booing loudly and a scuffle broke out between the two corners, adding to the controversy. Weaver, devastated and convinced he was stopped too early, immediately requested a rematch. The WBA insisted that Dokes oblige and they fought in back-to-back bouts, with the second fight taking place five months later. That fight ended in a draw.

Oscar De La Hoya vs John Avila (1994)

The fight took place in Los Angeles, De La Hoya’s hometown, and was packed with fans who saw him as a local hero after his Olympic gold medal success.

De La Hoya had originally been scheduled to fight earlier, but pulled out due to a viral illness.

Despite dominating, De La Hoya was penalized a point in Round 8 for a low blow, a rare blemish during his early rise. Avila was durable and tough, lasting nine rounds despite being outclassed.

The fight took place during a major cultural boom for boxing, the rise of HBO boxing, pay-per-view superstars, and a renewed mainstream spotlight, with De La Hoya at the center.

Jorge Castro vs John David Jackson (1994)

Down badly on the cards and absorbing punishment, Castro was nearly stopped before landing the left hook that turned the fight around, leading some analysts to call it the greatest comeback since Moore vs Durelle.

Castro was famous for his iron chin and unbreakable toughness.

John David Jackson was a masterful southpaw technician. He was considered the superior boxer that night, and was outboxing Castro so thoroughly that commentator teams were debating whether the referee should step in.

Many boxing publications named the bout 1994 Fight of the Year.

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