December 9: This Day in Boxing History — Triumph, Turmoil, and Turning Points

December 9 has been a stage where champions rise, legacies are sharpened, and controversy sometimes steals the spotlight. Across decades, the day has showcased gritty title defenses, stunning comebacks, disputed decisions, and historic clashes between elite technicians. From Gene Fullmer’s punishing stoppage in 1961 to Lomachenko and Rigondeaux’s unprecedented meeting of dual Olympic gold medalists in 2017, December 9 stands as a timeline of defining moments that reflect boxing’s drama, brutality, and enduring allure.

1961 — Gene Fullmer Stops Benny “Kid” Paret in Utah Title Defense

Gene Fullmer successfully defended his NBA middleweight title with a 10th-round knockout of Benny “Kid” Paret in Fullmer’s home state of Utah. Although Paret was best known as a world welterweight champion, he stepped up in weight to challenge the rugged, physically imposing Fullmer, a fighter famous for his grinding pressure and iron durability. Paret boxed competitively early, using his sharp counterpunching and lateral movement to offset Fullmer’s aggression; but as the rounds progressed, Fullmer’s relentless body attack and constant inside fighting began to wear him down. The end came in the 10th when Fullmer’s sustained assault forced the referee to halt the bout. The victory marked Fullmer’s second defense of the NBA middleweight crown and added another respected name to his résumé, while Paret left Utah visibly diminished after the punishing encounter.

1988 — Evander Holyfield Stops Pinklon Thomas

In Atlantic City, New Jersey, cruiserweight contender Evander Holyfield faced Pinklon Thomas. Holyfield, then 19–0 (15 KOs), proved too much for Thomas, forcing a stoppage after the 7th round when Thomas’s corner elected to throw in the towel.

1995 — Frans Botha Outpoints Axel Schulz in a Controversial Heavyweight Title Fight

Botha faced German contender Schulz in Stuttgart, Germany for the vacant IBF heavyweight championship. Botha, unbeaten at 35–0, was awarded a decision win, but the result sparked outrage among fans. As reports noted, many in the 11,000–12,000 strong crowd believed Schulz had done enough to win. The victory would be short-lived: Botha tested positive for steroids, prompting the IBF to eventually overturn the result.

2000 — Virgil Hill Knocks Out Fabrice Tiozzo to Win WBA Cruiserweight Title

American veteran Virgil Hill, nicknamed “Quicksilver”, faced Frenchman Fabrice Tiozzo in Villeurbanne, France. Hill delivered a first-round TKO, scoring three knockdowns and capturing the WBA cruiserweight title. The win was widely regarded as a major comeback, as many pundits and fans had written off Hill due to age and prior career ups and downs.
Hill went on to become a two-division world champion (light-heavyweight earlier and now cruiserweight).

2017 — Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Guillermo Rigondeaux — When Two Olympic-Gold Icons Clashed

At The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, two of boxing’s greatest amateur standouts turned pro. Lomachenko and Rigondeaux squared off for the WBO junior-lightweight title. Both men had won two Olympic gold medals each (Lomachenko in 2008 & 2012, Rigondeaux in 2000 & 2004). Lomachenko won when Rigondeaux retired on his stool after Round 6.

December 9: A Date Marked by Upsets, Legacy, and Championship Drama

Taken together, these bouts show how December 9 has served as a proving ground for fighters chasing greatness, redemption, or simply the right to be remembered. Whether through Fullmer’s relentless pressure, Holyfield’s rise, Botha’s controversy, Hill’s resurgence, or Lomachenko’s mastery, each chapter contributes to the sport’s rich tapestry. The date remains a snapshot of boxing’s full spectrum: triumph and tragedy, dominance and dispute, legacy and legend, ensuring its place in the sport’s historical heartbeat.

Interesting Facts:

Gene Fullmer & Benny “Kid” Paret (Dec. 9, 1961)

Despite often being remembered for his fight with Paret, Fullmer had already fought Sugar Ray Robinson four times between 1957 and 1961, producing one of the middleweight division’s most compelling rivalries. Fullmer won their first meeting in January 1957 by out-hustling Robinson over 15 rounds to take the world title, but Robinson spectacularly evened the score in their rematch four months later with his famous fifth-round knockout, often called the “perfect left hook.” They met again in December 1960 and battled to a hard, grinding draw in a closely contested title bout. Their final fight came in March 1961, when Fullmer’s pressure and rugged style earned him another 15-round decision. The series ended with Fullmer ahead, 2-1-1, against one of boxing’s greatest champions.

After retiring from boxing, Fullmer and his brothers ran a boxing gym and he served as president of the Rocky Mountain Golden Gloves amateur boxing organization, helping pass on the sport to younger generations.

As for Paret: although he “stepped up” in weight to challenge Fullmer at middleweight, just a few months later he would suffer fatal injuries in a fight against Emile Griffith, a tragedy that led to widespread debate about boxing safety standards.

Evander Holyfield vs Pinklon Thomas (Dec. 9, 1988)

The 1988 Thomas fight was only Holyfield’s second bout as a heavyweight. Before that year, he had risen to undisputed cruiserweight champion.

During the fight, Holyfield reportedly unloaded a barrage of 23 unanswered punches in the seventh round, prompting Thomas’s corner to throw in the towel — a testament to Holyfield’s conditioning, power, and relentless pressure.

After defeating Thomas, Holyfield vacated his cruiserweight title to focus fully on heavyweight.

Frans Botha vs Axel Schulz (Dec. 9, 1995) 

The fight ended in a split decision in favor of Botha, but many in the crowd and among observers believed Schulz had done enough to win; coins, beer bottles, and random objects and beverages were flung into the ring, marking the crowd’s outrage.

In fact, the controversial decision and subsequent fan riot underscored deep dissatisfaction among German fans, as the bout was fought in Stuttgart — Schulz’s home country.

The result was later overturned after Botha tested positive for steroids, stripping him of the title and prompting the sanctioning body to mandate a rematch or other corrective action.

Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Guillermo Rigondeaux (Dec. 9, 2017)

The fight was historic: it marked the first time in professional boxing that two fighters, both of whom had won two Olympic gold medals, faced each other.

Both fighters had impressive amateur careers. Lomachenko reportedly compiled an amateur record of 396-1 before turning pro; Rigondeaux had a record of 463-12 as an amateur.

The fighters agreed that the gloves worn that night would be donated to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. This was a symbolic move acknowledging the historical significance of their match.

Despite the fanfare and what many called the “dream match on paper,” the fight ended when Rigondeaux’s corner stopped the contest after the sixth round — reportedly due to a hand injury. All three judges had Lomachenko comfortably ahead at the time.

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