When it comes to sporting drama, nothing hits quite like the best boxing revenge fights. These are the moments when fighters—written off, counted out, or humiliated—return stronger, smarter, and more determined than ever. They don’t just reclaim belts. They reclaim pride, silence critics, and write themselves into boxing history.
Here are ten unforgettable comeback wins that defined legacies and proved once and for all that in boxing, payback is everything.
1. Lennox Lewis vs Hasim Rahman II – A Champion Reclaims His Throne
In 2001, Hasim Rahman shocked the world by knocking out Lennox Lewis. Many believed Lewis was distracted, having spent time filming in Hollywood before the fight. The upset was seismic—but Lewis wasn’t done.
In the rematch, Lewis delivered one of the cleanest revenge knockouts ever. A thunderous right hand in the fourth round sent Rahman sprawling. The win wasn’t just about reclaiming belts—it was about restoring Lewis’s reputation and securing his place among the greats.
Why it’s one of the best boxing revenge fights: It was the perfect mix of drama, redemption, and career-defining vengeance.
2. Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron II – Redemption in Dublin
Katie Taylor’s first professional defeat came at the hands of the aggressive and relentless Chantelle Cameron. That loss, in front of her home fans, left questions hanging over her career.
But champions adjust. In the rematch, Taylor fought with focus and clarity, neutralising Cameron’s pressure and taking a deserved majority decision. The roar from the Dublin crowd said it all—this was a return to glory.
Why it’s one of the best boxing revenge fights: A homecoming turned heartbreak became a masterclass in mental toughness and legacy preservation.
3. Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr II – Boxing with Brains Over Brawn
Anthony Joshua was expected to breeze past Andy Ruiz Jr in their first encounter. Instead, he was floored four times and lost his titles in one of heavyweight boxing’s biggest shocks.
Their rematch six months later in Saudi Arabia showcased a different Joshua—leaner, smarter, and more tactical. He boxed beautifully for twelve rounds, regaining his belts without taking unnecessary risks.
Why it’s one of the best boxing revenge fights: Joshua silenced doubters, proved his adaptability, and showed that comebacks can be both calculated and convincing.
4. Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier III – The Final Chapter of a Legendary Rivalry
Ali vs Frazier is boxing’s greatest trilogy. After Frazier handed Ali his first loss in 1971, the rubber match in Manila in 1975 was personal. It was brutal, sweltering, and fought at a pace few heavyweights could survive.
Ali eventually won when Frazier’s corner threw in the towel. Both men were near exhaustion, and Ali would later call it the toughest fight of his career.
Why it’s one of the best boxing revenge fights: It wasn’t just a win—it was a war. Ali got the final say in one of boxing’s most iconic rivalries.
5. Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin II – Setting the Record Straight
Their first fight ended in a controversial draw, with most fans believing Golovkin had edged it. In the lead-up to the rematch, tension and animosity grew—especially after Canelo’s failed drug test.
But in the second bout, Canelo shocked many by pressing forward and fighting fire with fire. The result was a close, but deserved, decision win.
Why it’s one of the best boxing revenge fights: Canelo didn’t just win—he evolved. The performance proved he belonged at the top of the middleweight division.
6. Carl Froch vs George Groves II – The Wembley Redemption
The first Froch vs Groves fight ended in chaos, with an early stoppage causing outrage among fans. Groves demanded a rematch, and Froch accepted.
In front of 80,000 at Wembley, Froch closed the show with one of the greatest right hands in British boxing history, knocking Groves out cold in Round 8.
Why it’s one of the best boxing revenge fights: Froch turned controversy into closure, delivering a career-defining KO on the biggest stage.
7. Wladimir Klitschko vs Lamon Brewster II – Turning Point of a Reign
Klitschko’s 2004 loss to Brewster was seen by many as a career-ender. He was exhausted, stopped in five rounds, and written off as too soft for the elite level.
In 2007, the rematch was clinical. Klitschko used his jab, control, and experience to dominate before stopping Brewster in the sixth round.
Why it’s one of the best boxing revenge fights: It marked the start of Klitschko’s long reign as heavyweight king—a transformation fuelled by discipline and redemption.
8. Juan Manuel Marquez vs Manny Pacquiao IV – Revenge in One Punch
Marquez had come up short three times against Pacquiao, despite razor-thin margins. In their fourth fight, he finally got closure—with one of the most iconic knockouts ever.
A perfectly timed counter-right in Round 6 sent Pacquiao crashing to the canvas, unconscious. The rivalry was over, and Marquez had his moment.
Why it’s one of the best boxing revenge fights: It was definitive. No judges. No controversy. Just a punch that changed both careers.
9. Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin II – Rewriting the Narrative
Whyte was dominating the first fight before Povetkin landed a stunning uppercut that turned everything upside down. It was a massive setback for a man on the cusp of a title shot.
In the rematch, Whyte was all business. He stuck to a clean game plan, kept his composure, and forced the stoppage in Round 4.
Why it’s one of the best boxing revenge fights: Whyte took a devastating loss, came back quickly, and showed true mental strength when it mattered.
10. Tony Bellew vs Nathan Cleverly II – A Personal Score Settled
Cleverly had beaten Bellew in 2011 in a tense, tactical fight. Bellew never let it go. When they met again in 2014, it was less about belts and more about closure.
Bellew fought with emotion, controlled the pace, and got the decision. It wasn’t his biggest win—but it might’ve meant the most to him.
Why it’s one of the best boxing revenge fights: Not every comeback is about titles. Sometimes, it’s just about settling a score—and finding peace.
Why These Are the Best Boxing Revenge Fights
Each of these fights represents the heart of boxing: resilience, redemption, and the will to overcome. These aren’t just rematches. They’re comeback stories that reshaped careers, rivalries, and even the sport itself.
Whether it was a crushing KO, a masterful boxing display, or a gritty battle for respect, these revenge fights reminded us why we keep watching. In boxing, the comeback is often greater than the fall.
Looking for More?
Explore fighter profiles, match previews, and deeper dive content at CMBoxing — your hub for boxing news, nostalgia, and analysis.
Which fight is your favourite? Did we miss one? Share your thoughts in the comments and pass this article on to a fellow fan who loves a good comeback.