Clubhouse

Tyson-Douglas and the 10 Biggest Upsets of All Time

Fresh Videos

By @BrianKalchik

Tyson-Douglas and the 10 Biggest Upsets of All Time

Buster Douglas
Getty Images

Twenty-five years ago today, Buster Douglas delivered one of the biggest upsets in sports history by knocking out Mike Tyson. After 25 years, where does this upset rank among the greatest in sports history? Here are the 10 biggest sports upsets of all time.

10. New York Mets-Baltimore Orioles (1969 World Series)

1969 New York Mets
Getty Images

10. New York Mets-Baltimore Orioles (1969 World Series)

1969 New York Mets
Getty Images

In 1969, the underdog New York Mets faced the dominant Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. Instead of an easy Orioles win, the "Miracle Mets" capped off an improbable season with a 4-1 series win.

9. Duke-UNLV (1991 Final Four)

Christian Laettner Duke
Getty Images

9. Duke-UNLV (1991 Final Four)

Christian Laettner Duke
Getty Images

After losing by 30 to UNLV in the 1990 Men's National Championship, Duke faced UNLV again in the 1991 Men's Final Four. With a 45-game winning streak and undefeated season intact, UNLV was supposed to annihilate Duke again. Instead, the trio of Grant Hill, Christian Laettner and Bobby Hurley upset the Runnin Rebels 79-77 on the way to their first National Championship under Coach K.

8. Villanova-Georgetown (1985 Men's Basketball Final)

Patrick Ewing Georgetown
Getty Images

8. Villanova-Georgetown (1985 Men's Basketball Final)

Patrick Ewing Georgetown
Getty Images

Led by Patrick Ewing, the Georgetown Hoyas were favorites to defeat Villanova in the 1985 Men's Basketball Final. Even after defeating Villanova twice in the regular season, the third time was not the charm. Villanova shot 78.6 percent from the floor and outlasted the Hoyas 66-64.

7. North Carolina State Upsets Houston (1983 Men's Basketball Final)

Jim Valvano North Carolina State
Getty Images

7. North Carolina State Upsets Houston (1983 Men's Basketball Final)

Jim Valvano North Carolina State
Getty Images

In 1983, the North Carolina State Wolfpack needed every break to even reach the Men's Basketball Final, and they got it. Against a Houston team that had future Hall-of-Famers in Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, the underdog Wolfpack got a last-second tip-in by Lorenzo Charles to shock the Cougars 54-52.

6. Appalachian State Defeats Michigan In The Big House

Armanti Edwards Appalachian State
Getty Images

6. Appalachian State Defeats Michigan In The Big House

Armanti Edwards Appalachian State
Getty Images

Michigan football has had plenty of great moments over the years, but their worst came in 2007 against FCS-foe Appalachian State. Led by Armanti Edwards, the Mountaineers held a late 34-32 lead. Michigan had a chance to win the game, but a last-second field goal was blocked, securing the monumental upset.

5. Rulon Gardner Upsets Russia's Alexander Karelin (2000 Summer Olympics)

Rulon Gardner USA
Getty Images

5. Rulon Gardner Upsets Russia's Alexander Karelin (2000 Summer Olympics)

Rulon Gardner USA
Getty Images

Before the 2000 Summer Olympics, Russia's Alexander Karelin did not lose a single fight for 13 years, and never lost an international competition. All that changed when a kid from Wyoming named Rulon Gardner had the match of his life, upsetting the dominant Russian. During his illustrious career, Karelin lost only two matches.

4. Super Bowl XLII

Plaxico Burress Giants
Getty Images

4. Super Bowl XLII

Plaxico Burress Giants
Getty Images

After narrowly losing to the New England Patriots in Week 17 of the 2007 season, the New York Giants had a chance for revenge in Super Bowl XLII. Against the 18-0 Patriots, New York trailed 14-0 with less than two minutes remaining. After David Tyree's miracle catch and Plaxico Burress' go-ahead touchdown, the Giants held on to upset the perfect Pats 17-14.

3. Super Bowl III

Joe Namath
Getty Images

3. Super Bowl III

Joe Namath
Getty Images

Heading into the Super Bowl, the AFL lost both of the previous Super Bowls in convincing fashion. Nothing was expected to be different as the New York Jets faced the powerful Baltimore Colts. This time, Joe Namath guaranteed and came through with a 16-7 upset. The game was a major why the AFL and NFL merged.

2. Douglas-Tyson

James (Buster) Douglas
Getty Images

2. Douglas-Tyson

James (Buster) Douglas
Getty Images

A 42-to-1underdog, Buster Douglas faced Mike Tyson, who at that time was one of the most dominant boxers of all time. Instead of wilting under the pressure, Douglas punched Tyson in the mouth and scored a 10th-round TKO. Douglas would then become fat and lazy while Tyson would turn into one of the biggest trainwrecks in sports history.

1. Miracle On Ice

1980 Winter Olympics
Getty Images

1. Miracle On Ice

1980 Winter Olympics
Getty Images

After getting blown out in an exhibition game, the amateur USA Hockey Team faced the powerful Soviet Union in the medal round of the 1980 Winter Olympics. Behind Mike Eruzione's goal, the U.S. led 4-3, then held off the Soviets' onslaught to shock the world. A couple days later, Team USA defeated Finland to win gold.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer and featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on