Top 10 "Top 10s": Most Awesome Knockouts

     In this second of my top 10 "top 10s," I name the most awesome knockouts I've seen and know of.

Parameters:  Since From the Fifty Peso Seats covers both Boxing and UFC, it would be fair to give 5 slots each to both sports.  They will all be ranked under one list though.  While knockouts come in many forms, I am most awed by quick, sudden and unexpected knockouts.  Here we go:

10.  UFC - Matt Hamill vs Mark Munoz

     In what was a memorable UFC debut, Munoz, the Filipino Wrecking Machine, underestimated fellow wrestler Hamill's stand up game and well he, as my friend put it, "got wrecked." Hamill absolutely destroyed Munoz with a well placed head kick and the fight was over.   I'm still a fan of Munoz though and his recent victories over Nick Catone and Kendall Grove have me smiling.

9. Boxing - Thomas Hearns vs Pipino Cuevas

     Going old school at number nine, "Hitman" Hearns lived up to his hype in his fights and this one was no different.  Fighting a game but smaller Cuevas, Hearns unleashed his fury in a well-placed punch to score a knock out.  The most awesome part is Cuevas' reaction when he got hit (1.57 mark).  I don't even know what to call that motion.  Do you?

8.  Boxing - George Foreman vs Michael Moorer

     Boxing fans remember this fight as the fight where Foreman became the oldest heavyweight boxing champion in history.  TV addicts remember it as the punch that launched a thousand Lean and Mean Grilling Machines.  I remember the fight a lot clearer than others because this is where I finally saw the power of Foreman, whereas I only heard of it from my brother.  The punch came in quickly with no big windup that it's easy to miss it.  That's how powerful Foreman is. 

7.  UFC - Rashad Evans vs Sean Salmon

     Another number, another beautiful head kick.  In his run up to the UFC light heavyweight title, Evans, a wrestler, began showing the world just how good his striking could be.  While others may remember Evans for knocking out Chuck Lidell with a punch, I like this better as this was where he introduced himself to the world.

6.  Boxing - Manny Pacquiao vs Fahsan 3K Battery

     In Pacman's last fight on his native soil, promoters set him up with a patsy from Thailand.  Sensing his opponent's lack of talent, Pacman barely trained for the fight, but still had more than enough.  Finally deciding to end the fight, Pacquiao unleashed a left that lifted his opponent off the ground.  Yes. He flew up.  Then fell down.

5.  UFC - Spencer Fisher vs Matt Wiman

     Anytime you use the monicker, "Handsome," it's obvious confidence isn't an issue.  For Matt Wiman though, his confidence (or at least too much of it) cost him.  Showing bravado by saying Fisher's knees and punches didn't hurt, Wiman let his guard down and suffered a knockout loss via flying knee.  Now, that really hurt.  How's the pride, Matt?

4.  UFC - Nate Marquardt vs Demian Maia

     In what was to be a battle of two top middleweights, the fight was surprisingly a short one.  Brazilian Jiu Jitsu specialist Maia decided to engage Marquardt in a stand up fight early and that was all she wrote.  An attempted flying attack was all the opportunity Marquardt needed to put away Maia with an amazing right hand.  Wham. Bam.  Lights out Maia.

3.  UFC - Dan Henderson vs Michael Bisping

     Sometimes the best knockouts is more about the people than the punches or kicks thrown.  Other times, they're about both.  In another match of top middleweights, Henderson finally did what millions of people could only dream of, and that is silence the seemingly petulant Bisping.  The flamboyant Brit had been on a winning tear, but he never seemed to face top flight competition.  When he finally did in facing Henderson, he ended up flat on his back after a right hand that landed perfectly.  Since he was such a favorite of Henderson's, Bisping got another right hand just for good measure.

2.  Boxing - Nonito Donaire vs Vic Darchinyan

     Darchinyan was known as a bully, beating up everyone in his division.  When he beat up Glenn Donaire, though, he also had to fight Glenn's brother Nonito.  Big mistake.  In what was deemed Knockout of the Year, Darchinyan's run as the weight class bully was halted with a precise left hook.  Nonito 's perfectly placed punch not only crushed Darchinyan, but also launched his international career that is only getting better.

1.  Boxing - Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton

     I vividly remember watching this fight  at a Crown Plaza function room.  With the crowd absolutely going wild, I blinked and then saw Hatton falling to the floor.  As I tried to get any one of the people around me to tell me what happened, I realized Hatton had absolutely no chance of getting up.  Watching the replay, I knew I had seen the greatest knockout I've ever seen.  Looking at that Pacman left hand crushing Hatton still gives me goosebumps.   


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