Biggest Boxing Betting Upsets of 2021
The year of boxing has come to a close, so it's time to reflect on what was the "year of the underdog".
2021 was one of the craziest years in the sport of boxing to date. Unpredictable outcomes and upsets became the norm, and it saw some of the biggest underdog winners in the history of the sport.
In fact, according to Tapology.com, two of the biggest upsets in the history of combat sports occurred in 2021.
Using betting odds that can be historically verified, there were three underdog winners at +1400 (bet $100 to profit $1,400), which had never happened before in combat sports.
Let's take a look at the biggest upsets in boxing in the year 2021.
Biggest Boxing Upsets in 2021
James Martin (+1400) vs. Vito Mielnicki
James Martin was scheduled to take on the undefeated Vito Mielnicki, and he was expected to be nothing but a tomato can for the -5000 favorite to beat up on to gain experience. Martin had different plans, winning the field in an eight round decision.
Masamichi Yabuki (+1400) vs. Kenshiro Teraji
If you're paying attention to Japanese boxing, than you're a true die-hard fan of the sport. But if you think this was some fixed fight or a small bout that nobody cared about, think again. Kenshiro Teraji was the WBC light-flyweight world champion, and had an undefeated 18-0 record.
Not only did Masamichi Yabuki upset the -3000 favorite in Teraji, but he did it via KO/TKO in the 10th and final round.
Sandor Martin (+1400) vs. Mikey Garcia
If you're a North American fan of the sport, this is one that you probably heard about. Mikey Garcia is multiple-time IBF champion, and he was expected to handle Sandor Martin with ease in their October bout. Garcia was listed as a -2500 favorite.
Martin would go on to win the fight via majority decision.
Other Notable 2021 Boxing Upsets
With as many upsets as we saw in 2021, it'd be a shame to only shoutout the top three. Here are other notable upsets that occurred in boxing this calendar year.
- Kenneth Sims Jr. (+1200) vs. Elvis Rodriguez
- Kiko Martinez (+1000) vs. Kid Galahad
- Juan Carlos Abreu (+1000) vs. Tursynbay Kulakhmet
- Mauricio Lara (+900) vs. Josh Warrington
- Vladimir Hernandez (+750) vs. Julian Williams
- Jonathan Rice (+750) vs. Michael Polite Coffie
- Fadhili Majiha (+750) vs. Harvey Horn