The best boxing action is usually captured in highlight reels and brutal knockouts, which is why many fans wager on different boxing betting lines at online sportsbooks. But aside from these amazing finishes, bettors could increase these boxing odds by backing swift knockouts.
Not only may one become a champion or one of the top 10 boxers in the world, but one can also become well-known in the sport by setting a record for the fastest knockout finish. I made a list of the boxing history’s top five fastest knockouts today.
1. Gerald McClellan – 20 Seconds
Former WBC World Middleweight Champion Gerald McClellan won the title in May 1993 by stopping Julian Jackson in the fifth round. When Jay Bell challenged him for the 160-pound golden strap in August 1993, he mounted his first-ever championship defense. However, the “G-Man” quickly dispatched of the opponent, stopping Bell in 20 seconds to record the fifth-fastest knockout in boxing history.
The winner perfectly timed a body shot to his opponent’s liver, instantly folding him to the canvas. Bell held onto his torso and remained motionless until the referee’s 10-second count was up.
2. David Tua – 19 Seconds
David Tua, a Samoan-New Zealander, gained notoriety in the 1990s by knocking out 18 of his 22 opponents thanks to his amazing power. Due to his remarkable run of success, Tua was given the chance to challenge John Ruiz for the WBC International Heavyweight Title in March 1996. He performed admirably, setting a record for the fourth-fastest knockout in boxing history.
Early in the bout, “Tuaman” threw two jabs to gauge the perfect distance to land the big shot. Ruiz lost his footing when Tua unleashed a powerful left hook that struck his chin, just as he was about to calculate the gap.
3. Daniel Jimenez – 17 Seconds
Due to early setbacks in his career, Daniel Jimenez of Puerto Rico may not have had the best record leading up to his world championship, but he made a name for himself in the 122-pound class and even went on to win the WBO Super Bantamweight Title in October 1993 after stopping Felix Garcia Losada in their championship match. But in their third title defense against Harald Geier in September 1994, Jimenez achieved his most momentous victory.
“La Cobra” hushed the Austrian audience, who was plainly cheering for Geier to win. It took him just seventeen seconds and a single blow to officially declare victory, setting a record for the third-fastest knockout in boxing history and the second-fastest in championship bouts. It was Jimenez’s ninth TKO/KO victory in his 18-year career. Regretfully, in March 1995, during his fourth title defense, Marco Antonio Barrera defeated the Puerto Rican. Thirteen losses, one tie, and thirty victories (15 TKO/KOs) marked Daniel Jimenez’s career total.
4. Zolani Tete – 11 Seconds
In November of 2017, at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Zolani Tete crushed Siboniso Gonya in one of the fastest knockout finishes in boxing history. In addition to winning the WBO World Bantamweight Title, Tete’s victory also produced the fastest finish in a world boxing title match and the second-fastest knockout in boxing history.
Gonya leaned forward and took a strong right-hand blow that struck him squarely in the chin. Additionally, this was the “Last Born’s” first punch of the fight. The referee stopped the bout as soon as Gonya hit the canvas because he remained in that posture for a little period of time. Tete’s victory was his 26th career victory and his 21st knockout. Before falling to John Riel Casimero in November 2019, he successfully defended his championship twice through unanimous decision.
5. Phil Williams – 10 Seconds
Phil Williams holds the record for the fastest knockout in professional boxing history. In June of 2007, he took just ten seconds to finish Brandon Burke in the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, Minnesota. Both Williams and Burke were in their fourth professional bout; Williams had three first-round finishes and was undefeated, while Burke had two losses and one tie.
Burke made a huge mistake early in the fight when he charged at Williams when his guard was down. The “Drill” punished him by sending him flying face-first onto the ground with a powerful right hook down his chin. Burke was still obviously stunned from the force of that strike, so he was unable to withstand the referee’s eight-second count. Burke only had two more appearances in fights after this defeat to Williams, both of which he lost, before deciding to end his career.
