Most of us have a soft spot for the underdogs of sport. They’re the teams and players who have no real hope of winning. Bookies are usually willing to offer long odds on the nearly-men of sports - that’s if they’re willing to offer any odds at all. You’ll also find spectators backing the underdog knowing deep down they’re supporting a lost cause.
Every now and then athletes shake off the underdog tag and pull off extraordinary feats and it’s these unlikely achievements we’re celebrating… along with the underdogs of sport!
Boxing: Buster Douglas KO’s Mike Tyson
In 1990 Mike Tyson was the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world. He was also ’The Baddest Man on the Planet’. Tyson was at the peak of his career, having won 37 fights in a row. When he was matched against Buster Douglas the only bookmaker to offer odds on the contest rated Douglas a 42-1 pushover.
Buster was having none of it. He came out fists flying and by the fifth round, Tyson was battered and bruised. Despite landing one sharp uppercut that knocked Douglas off his feet, the greatest heavyweight boxer of all-time was seriously outgunned.
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By the tenth round Mike Tyson was lying on the canvas gasping for air and the underdog in the form of James ‘Buster’ Douglas was the new heavyweight champion of the world!
Football: Zambia Beat Cote D’ Ivoire
The year is 2012, the prize is the African Cup of Nations and the protagonists are Zambia versus the star-studded team from Cote D’ Ivoire. What transpired that day was a tale of tenacity and self-belief as in true David versus Goliath style, it was the underdogs Zambia that prevailed at the end.
Despite fielding giants like Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, Manchester City’s Yaya Touré and Arsenal striker Gervinho, Cote D’ Ivoire failed to make an impact in ordinary time. In fact, the stand out player was Zambia’s captain Christopher Katongo who put on a sterling performance on the left flank.
At nil all, the game went to a penalty shoot-out. As destiny would have it, it was Zambia that snatched an 8-7 win on penalties… and their first-ever AFCON title.
Tennis: Alexander Zverev Crushes Novak Djokovic
The ATP World Tour Finals is one of the most prestigious events on the professional tennis calendar. Aside from the four majors, it’s the biggest event of the year.
In 2018 the world number one, Novak Djokovic was in the form of his life. He’d clinched the titles at Wimbledon, Cincinnati, the US Open and Shanghai and was the hot favourite to prevail in London … but there was a surprise package waiting in the wings.
Alexander Zverev, who had been soundly beaten by Djokovic in the round robin stages of the competition, was the rank outsider in the final. No-one in their right mind would have tipped the youngster to win.
What happened next was unexpected to say the least. The 21-year-old German not only dished up 10 aces, he overpowered and outsmarted the Serb to snatch the title in straight sets.
Sevens Rugby: South Africa Stuns Fiji
In 2019 the Blitzbokke pulled off one of the most extraordinary comebacks in rugby sevens history. At 19-0 down to Fiji at half-time, underdogs South Africa had exactly seven minutes to turn things around.
Despite some ferocious tackling by the Fijians, South Africa managed to score three superb tries. A final minute penalty put the Blitzbokke in front, affording them the opportunity to hold the Singapore World Rugby Sevens Series trophy on high.
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