Which fighters lost a title or big fight because of the three knockdown rule?

[GhostofDempsey]

Bruce Seldon lost to Oliver McCall on the 3-knockdown rule, as did a few of Tyson’s opponents while he was on his way up. Can’t think of many big fights that were determined by the rule. Anyone?

[Willie Pep 229]

Should we even look at any fights before 1960?

Does anyone know when the rule first appeared?

All the scantioning bodies today seem to have the rule (usually a State commission rule) waved for title fights which means we would need to tract down major contender bouts but not likely any title fights.

[Bundana]

In his first fight against Bonavena, Frazier was floored twice in the 2nd round and one more trip to canvas away from his first defeat, as the 3 knockdown rule was in effect.

Iran Barkley lost his title fight vs Nigel Benn because of the rule. In a sensational opening round Barkley was floored early on, but came back to hold his own for the rest of the round - until two quick knockdowns in the dying seconds ended the fight. Barkley didn't look terribly hurt, but with the rule in effect, the referee waved it off.

Boxing - Nigel Benn V Iran Barclay (Full Fight).avi - YouTube

I'm sure there must be other examples.


Edit: Just thought of another one-round blowout, the Morrison-Bentt title fight, where the rule was in effect. Here the referee immediately stopped it on Morrison's 3rd trip to the canvas, without bothering to count. Morrison was badly hurt, and with the round only half over would likely have been stopped anyway - 3 knockdown rule or not.

RIP Tommy Morrison vs Bentt 1st rd. KO - YouTube

[QueensburyRules]

- -Good call on the Frazier fight. 3KD rule in effect when Brewster bum rushed Golota before he could get out of the starting gate.

[OctoberRed]

I was going to bring up the Tommy Morrison Bent fight.