Greatest Upset in Sports History

[ABQCOWBOY]

I am not sure why that game is always considered such an upset. IIRC, Georgetown struggled with Villanova in the regular season, and Villanova was actually a pretty good team. Maybe it was because Georgetown was considered generational talent at the time.

I think that's it. If you followed the Big East in those days, there were really 4 good teams you could consider tough. Georgetown (John Thompson), Nova (Rollie Massimino), St. Johns (Lou Carneseca) and Syracuse (Jim Boeheim). Throw in the odd Seton Hall (PJ Carlisimo), Providence (Rick Patino), later UCONN hired Jim Calhoun and the Big East was a beast. Really, only the ACC could compete. I believe that all but Carlisimo were Hall of Fame Head Coaches.

Big East was very special in those days, Hellagood!

 

[haleyrules]

Foreman was the prototype you look for when you say "Man Child". I truly believe that if that Ali Foreman fight would have happened a year later, Foreman probably beats Ali. He was just so stron, he was young and his power was devastating. If he had known enough not to spend himself in those early rounds, he would have probably beaten Ali but he didn't. Taking nothing away from Ali, he was truly won of the greatest athletes, in any sport, I have ever seen. You don't see talent like that in lifetimes.

The Foreman Frazier fights are a testament to how awesome Foreman's power was. Joe had a chin and a devastating left hook but Foreman, he was scary powerful in his youth.

I miss those days. So many great fighters then. It pains me to see the state of boxing now.

Ok, l will lay a real " Upset " on you....Miami beach....1964... Cassius Clay stops "the big Ugly Bear" Sonny Liston. That was a REAL upset. Never mind that phoney, make believe hockey game.lol.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

Well, Frazier was also highly regarded at the time. His shocking beating by a young George Foreman was a serious upset.

Yep. Smokin Joe was for real. All of his fights with Ali were very tough.

Foreman is my all time fav

 

[haleyrules]

Foreman is my all time fav

I too always enjoyed Big George! My heart was with Smokin Joe and Jerry Quarry. They were real to me.

 

[yimyammer]

How about Buster Douglas brutal KO of Mike Tyson. That was a shocker.

that was awesome but its not even close

 

[yimyammer]

He would not pull his goalie to the dismay of the US team.

Why "to the dismay"?

 

[haleyrules]

Foreman was the prototype you look for when you say "Man Child". I truly believe that if that Ali Foreman fight would have happened a year later, Foreman probably beats Ali. He was just so stron, he was young and his power was devastating. If he had known enough not to spend himself in those early rounds, he would have probably beaten Ali but he didn't. Taking nothing away from Ali, he was truly won of the greatest athletes, in any sport, I have ever seen. You don't see talent like that in lifetimes.

The Foreman Frazier fights are a testament to how awesome Foreman's power was. Joe had a chin and a devastating left hook but Foreman, he was scary powerful in his youth.

I miss those days. So many great fighters then. It pains me to see the state of boxing now.

Big George was a favourite of mine. His shortcoming were a lack of stamina and a very average chin. Did you watch his match with Ron Lyle...it was shocking and exciting...but classic big George!

 

[yimyammer]

I miss those days. So many great fighters then. It pains me to see the state of boxing now.

me too

those Sugar Ray Leonard fights were incredible, I miss the magnitude and build up leading to those fights

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Big George was a favourite of mine. His shortcoming were a lack of stamina and a very average chin. Did you watch his match with Ron Lyle...it was shocking and exciting...but classic big George!

Brutal, no other way to say it. Fight of the year in 76, if I recall. Lyle was no joke, he beat some really good fighters and some heavy hitters in his time. That was George's first fight back after Ali I believe, what a way to get back in the ring! You don't see those kinds of fights anymore.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

me too

those Sugar Ray Leonard fights were incredible, I miss the magnitude and build up leading to those fights

Yep. I remember, we were pretty poor in those days, the entire family, neighbors etc., would all crowd around my Uncle and Aunts 25 inch Console color TV and watch those fights. In the 70s, not everybody had color still and 25 inches was a big deal! Everybody would bring something and it was like a fight party you see today.

 

[jimmy40]

I saw that game. That Championship tourney was here in Albuquerque at the Pitt. People were shocked! Houston was frightening. NC State was an upstart, in comparison. Guard play was the difference in that game. Great game!

free throw shooting and Guy Lewis having his head up his *** was the difference.

 

[haleyrules]

Brutal, no other way to say it. Fight of the year in 76, if I recall. Lyle was no joke, he beat some really good fighters and some heavy hitters in his time. That was George's first fight back after Ali I believe, what a way to get back in the ring! You don't see those kinds of fights anymore.

Yep. George was beat and legless...somehow, out of nowhere, he catches Ron with a single shot and takes him out. Yes, Lyle was really underrated and in fact an outstanding fighter...much like another old, late, favourite of mine... Jerry Quarry. I will never forget his KO of the heavily favoured Ernie Shavers in the 1st round. Nobody was more surprised than Ernie himself!! Shavers was another outstanding and under appreciated fighter...l mean who would want to fight the hard hitting Shavers. Good guy.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

free throw shooting and Guy Lewis having his head up his *** was the difference.

Well, I won't dispute those two things but the reality, IMO, is that Guard Play dominates in College Basketball and Sidney Lowe and Derrek Whittenburg absolutely controlled that game. Really low scoring game, most people don't remember that. Those guys controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish. NCSt. had no business winning that game but they did, on a last second miracle.

 

[daschoo]

As much as I'm sick of the coverage it got Leicester winning the English Premier League last season has to be in the conversation. At the start of the season the bookies had Elvis turning up alive or the discovery of aliens at shorter odds than them winning.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

How about Buster Douglas brutal KO of Mike Tyson. That was a shocker.

yea, this is likely regarded as the biggest upset by most

 

[Hardline]

The 1969 New York Mets isn't #1 but worth recognizing.

 

[csirl]

Ray Houghton in Stuttgart in '88.

One of those historic moments where everyone remembers where they were.

 

[Risen Star]

October 30th, 2016. Cowboys over the Carson Wentz led Eagles.

The Eagles went on to destroy them in the season finale to show what a fluke that was.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

We can make reasons, but Ali was undefeated.

Itd be like if Mayweather fought again and got beat. Excuses wouldnt cover that one of the greatest boxers ever got his first L.

Thats just my opinion tho.

My fav ever is still Ali v. Young Foreman.

Ali vs Foreman was supposed to be a massacre.

Ali Bomaye! Ali Bomaye!

 

[65fastback2plus2]

Ok, l will lay a real " Upset " on you....Miami beach....1964... Cassius Clay stops "the big Ugly Bear" Sonny Liston. That was a REAL upset. Never mind that phoney, make believe hockey game.lol.

now thats what I'm talking about!