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Writer's pictureWill Tondo

A night for the underdogs. Rich Strike and Dmitry Bivol win against all odds.

February 22, 1980, the Miracle on Ice occurred. A famous tale of American patriotism, where the United States hockey team defeated the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics, a Cold-War win in itself.


February 3, 2008, the big bad Tom Brady and the undefeated New England Patriots, were eying perfection until Eli Manning and the New York Giants ruined their plans in Super Bowl XLII.


Saturday May 7th, 2022, will now be a day that is immortalized on the list of sporting upsets. Yesterday was a bettors nightmare, as the dark horses of the Kentucky Derby and the WBA World Light-Heavyweight Title, took home their respective W's.


If you decided to $100 parlay these underdogs (Rich Strike+8000, Bivol +400), you would've won $40,400. Not bad...


So, how did this all happen?


Kentucky Derby Dark Horse

The story of Rich Strike is one that Hollywood will eat up one day.


Last year, the horse was purchased by owner Rick Dawson for a mere $30K. He found out his horse would be running in the Derby about 30 seconds before the Friday morning entry deadline, after Ethereal Road scratched out.


As the race went off, Rich Strike was no where to be seen. Heading into the final turn, the horse was in the 17th position before a huge acceleration into the front stretch.

As favorites Zandon and Epicenter battled for the lead, Rich Strike snuck right into victory, winning the Derby and the $1.8 million purse.


This was the largest Kentucky Derby upset since 1913, when 91-1 long shot Donerail claimed victory.

Bivol beats Canelo to stay undefeated


From Churchill Downs in the day to Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena at night, the second upset of the day was about to happen. Coming into the evening as the -550 favorite, Canelo Alvarez was supposed to be the lock of the year.


Bosting a record of 57 wins, 39 knockouts, one loss and two draws, his last and only lost came on September 4th, 2013, against a guy named Floyd Mayweather, ever heard of him?


Canelo had the swagger, but Dmitry Bivol came in hot. All three judges scored the fight 115-113, but the bout wasn't nearly that close. Considered one of the biggest boxing upsets in recent memory, Bivol was no Rich Strike. He already was the owner of a 19-0 record with 11 KO's, but the hype on Canelo proved this to be major.





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