Simon Brown Serves Terry Norris One of Boxing’s Greatest Upsets in 1993
Boxing is full of instances when a fighter rises from the proverbial ashes to score what many consider an upset. However, some upsets are in a category all their own for their capacity to leave observers dazed and dumbfounded. One of these occasions occurred on December 18, 1993 between then-WBC junior middleweight champion “Terrible” Terry Norris (36-3, 22 KOs) and Simon “Mantequilla” Brown (39-2, 29 KOs).
Initially, Norris and Brown were to fight on September 27, 1992, in Las Vegas, Nevada. But on the evening of that scheduled contest, Brown admitted himself to a local Vegas hospital after complaining of chest pains and dizziness. The bout was scratched after doctors deemed Brown unfit to fight.
GOING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS
Norris won the WBC title in March 1990 with a first-round KO of John “The Beast” Mugabi. Terrible Terry stormed through the division, defending the belt eleven times. Among his defenses was a dominant decision win over Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard and stoppage victories over reigning welterweight champions Meldrick Taylor and Maurice Blocker.
Brown was a one-time unified welterweight champion. Though respected by peers, many observers felt he was on the downslide of his career. When they finally faced off in December 1993 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, most observers viewed Norris as a heavy favorite.
BOMBS AWAY
Mantequilla would prove the pundits wrong. With seconds left in the opening round, he put the champ down on his back with a powerful left jab. At best, Norris is a slick, athletic boxer. But in his previous outing, he chose to fight on the attack.
Instead of taking time to collect himself, Norris elected to charge Brown. The results proved disastrous. A right hand had him on wobbly legs at the end of round two. In the third, Norris foolishly continued to march forward. But his punches had no effect on the ex-welterweight champ while Brown buckled Norris with every power punch.
At the end of that round, another right hand from Brown again hurt Norris and had him stumbling back to the corner. In the first minute of round four, a right hand above the ear put Norris down and out!
This result was the upset of the year in 1993. The shockwaves reverberated throughout the boxing world. They fought a rematch in May 1994, with Norris gaining revenge with a unanimous decision. But on a cool and brisk evening in Mexico City, Brown turned back the clock and, in the process, scored one of the most astonishing wins you will ever see.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
