Rebounding from a defeat is arguably the most difficult aspect, both physically and mentally, for any participant in a sport as brutal as boxing.
Over the years, numerous fighters have suffered devastating defeats that ended their careers after they were somehow changed in the ring – or simply failed to return to it altogether. But for some, a setback can be a learning experience that only makes them stronger for having gone through it.
The psychological effects alone – most notably the doubt it can invite into a fighter’s mind – are troubling enough. The recent brutal stoppage defeat of Tim Tszyu at the hands of Bakhram Murtazaliev – a second consecutive loss after Tszyu began his career undefeated – seems to be evidence of this.
Previously, in March, Tszyu had lost a junior welterweight unification bout to Sebastian Fundora. Many expected Australia’s Tszyu to come back stronger, with an emphatic win over Murtazaliev. Rather, the fight turned out to be a nightmare for Tszyu, who took as concussive a physical beating as his career did against Murtazaliev.
While some industry players blamed Tszyu’s abysmal performance on his promoters, who’s at fault isn’t as important as the damage done. Many wonder if Tszyu can recover from back-to-back losses – and beatings – to become a titleholder again. But vindication lies in the womb of time, and only it can determine whether Tszyu can ultimately overcome.
As the wait begins, we’d like to highlight a few somewhat recent examples from which Tszyu can draw inspiration, fighters who managed to bounce back from similarly precarious career circumstances.
Marco Antonio Barrera
Mexico’s Marco Antonio Barrera, 67-7 (44 KOs), who won multiple titles from junior featherweight to junior lightweight between 1995 and 2007, and who defended a 122lbs belt on nine occasions, notably lost a 1996 bout to Junior Jones by disqualification.
Barrera went on to lose an immediate rematch five months later. But he continued on, recording four consecutive wins and reclaiming the belt, against Richie Wenton, in the process. After several back-and-forth performances, Barrera moved up in weight and won featherweight and junior lightweight titles.
Despite suffering a setback at the early stage of his career, Barrera fought back, regained his composure and went on to earn a place among boxing’s legends.
Kostya Tszyu
Tim Tszyu doesn’t have to look any further than his own family tree for an example of career resilience. Kostya Tszyu, 31-2 (25 KOs), Tim’s father, had a setback at the early stage of his bright career when he lost a junior welterweight title to Vince Phillips in 1997. But Kostya proved his mettle, fighting his way back to win a vacant junior welterweight belt two years later.
Kostya became a unified junior welterweight champion two years after the Phillips loss and made the last stop of his at the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He remains one of Australia’s greatest boxing heroes, long after an early career slip that history has mostly forgotten.
Mario Barrios
Mario Barrios suffered his maiden career defeat to superstar Gervonta “Tank” Davis in June 2021, losing his junior welterweight title to an opponent who had moved up two divisions to challenge him. Barrios was knocked out in the 11th round after suffering knockdowns in Rounds 8 and 11.
The defeat forced Barrios to move up to 147 to take on Keith Thurman, who had previously been a welterweight titlist, in an eliminator for a world belt – but he then lost that fight by unanimous decision. Barrios, 29-2 (18 KOs), wasn’t deterred, working his way back to the top.
Currently, he’s on a three-fight winning streak and holds a welterweight title after having been elevated to full belt-holder status upon Terence Crawford vacating the belt.
Barrios, 29, will make his first defense of the belt on November 15 on the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson undercard.
Regis Prograis
After losing his first attempt to win a title in 2019, Regis Prograis didn’t allow the result to affect his ultimate path. If anything, Prograis came out of that majority decision loss to Josh Taylor even stronger than before.
Over his next three fights, Prograis knocked out Juan Heraldez, Ivan Redkach and Tyrone McKenna to land a shot at a vacant junior welterweight belt. Prograis won his second attempt at a world title with an 11th-round stoppage of Jose Zepeda in November 2022.
He has since defended that belt against Danielito Zorrilla, but after suffering consecutive defeats to Devin Haney and Jack Caterall, the 35-year-old Prograis, 29-3 (24 KOs), is now contemplating retirement. You never know, though: Maybe he’ll return and surprise us all – and perhaps even himself – with yet another comeback.
Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at [email protected].
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