On This Day in Boxing… February 26th

1968: The Rise of the “Idol of Australia” in Japanese Territory

Lionel Rose vs. Masahiko “Fighting” Harada On a historic night at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Lionel Rose made history by becoming the first Indigenous Australian to capture a world title. Rose entered the ring as a massive underdog against the legendary Japanese champion Masahiko Harada, who was looking to defend his WBC Bantamweight crown.

After 15 grueling rounds of elite technique and endurance, Rose secured a unanimous decision victory that shocked the boxing world. Upon his return to Australia, he was greeted by a crowd of over 250,000 people, cementing his legacy as a national icon.

1994: The “Dark Destroyer” Rules London

Nigel Benn vs. Henry Wharton London’s Earls Court Exhibition Centre played host to one of Nigel Benn’s most disciplined title defenses. The “Dark Destroyer” put his WBC Super-Middleweight title on the line against the brave and resilient Henry Wharton, who entered the bout undefeated.

While Wharton proved to have an “iron chin,” he was unable to withstand Benn’s relentless power and rhythm. After 12 rounds of constant punishment, Benn retained his belt via unanimous decision, proving that beyond his knockout power, he possessed the boxing IQ to dominate over the long haul.

2011: A Clash of Mexican Titans in the Mayab

Gilberto Keb Baas vs. José Antonio “Jaguar” Aguirre Mérida, Yucatán, became the epicenter of technical boxing with a “civil war” between two Mexican warriors. Gilberto Keb Baas, the pride of Hunucmá, defended his WBC Light-Flyweight crown against the seasoned former champion “Jaguar” Aguirre.

The bout was a tactical chess match where Keb Baas’s youth and momentum ultimately overcame Aguirre’s veteran experience. While the “Jaguar” showed flashes of his former glory, Keb Baas dominated the action, forcing Aguirre’s corner to stop the fight after the eighth round. This victory solidified Keb Baas as a powerhouse in one of Mexico’s most competitive divisions.

2022: Controversy and Fire in Glasgow

Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall In one of the most controversial decisions in recent years, Scotland’s Josh Taylor defended his undisputed Junior-Welterweight (just below qwelter weight) status against mandatory challenger Jack Catterall.

Fighting on home soil, Taylor was stunned by a relentless Catterall, who dropped him to the canvas in the eighth round. Despite Catterall’s apparent dominance, the judges handed Taylor a split-decision victory. The verdict sparked widespread outrage and remains one of the most debated results in modern British boxing history.