What does it take to be considered the best boxing fight ever? Is it the way knockout punches were delivered? Is it the manner the opponent was put down in the earliest possible round? Is it winning over an opponent who holds the most number of world titles? What does it really take? Here are some of the best boxing fights that the world has ever seen, and although you will likely have your own list you could not disagree that the following boxing spectaculars made history.
There would definitely be no violent reaction if the Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier match dubbed as "The Thriller in Manila" would be mentioned first and thus get the top slot. Ali himself described this fight as one that sent him as close to death as he had ever been. Both men threw venomous punches which made the fight one of the best that boxing had ever seen. After the fight, neither man was ever the same.
There are at least several other Ali fights that would qualify as "best" but this one stands out. How about Sugar Ray Robinson's fights when he defeated Henry Armstrong, Jake La Motta, Carmine Basilio, Gene Fullmer, Carl Olsen, Randy Turpin, Rocky Graziano, Kid Gavilin and Fritzie Zivic? The long list tells why he deserves to be included. Defeating the best boxers is equivalent to fighting the best fights. This list includes a few of the many Hall of Fame Champions whom Sugar Ray fought against and defeated. Just pick any of these fights and you get the best.
Rocky Marciano achieved one of the best boxing knockouts when he smashed Jersey Jo Walcott to the canvas. In fact, had Walcott been an ordinary person, he would have been decapitated. Among other of Marciano's fights eligible to be considered best are his winning fights against Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore.
Add to your list of the best boxing knockouts the Diego Corrales vs. Juan Luis Castillo match. This fight, giving Diego Corrales the WBC lightweight crown in May 2005 was a full recipe of battering blows, lightning combinations and underhand tactics. What's amazing about this best boxing fight is the fact that Corrales had been knocked down twice and still won. He spat out his gumshield after each knockdown to gain additional recovery time. Corrales needed more rounds to deliver his so-called "perfect" right hand that sent Castillo down in Round 10.
Of course it would be unfair not to put the Mickey Ward vs. Arturo Gatti fight in the list. This match was considered one that brought back memories from a golden era of boxing. After a decade of controversies in the boxing world, this "Fight of the Century" helped revive boxing's flagging fortunes. This 2002 event sent the two fighters into a brawl that was so reminiscent of the old days, with Ward sending Gatti down in the ninth round with his ferocious left.
The Julio Cesar Chaves vs. Meldrick Taylor fight truly belongs to the "best" list, and truly astonishing at that! These two talented fighters went at it for almost the full twelve rounds. You were asking why almost? It is because Chavez, who was behind on points, was able to steal the victory over Taylor only in the last two seconds of Round 12. If this fight doesn't qualify for the best then what does?
The 1981 Las Vegas match between "Sugar" Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns deserves to be included in the row. Fighting for the welterweight title, the speed of "Sugar" Ray met the devastating power of the "Hit Man". In one of the toughest boxing fights ever, Hearns who had the advantage of his huge reach was well ahead of Leonard by the 12th round. In spite of having a badly swollen left eye, however, "Sugar Ray" got his act together and started to use the full advantage of his superior speed. In a battle of speed against power, Leonard cut loose in the 14th and won by a KO.
It would make the list incomplete if Manny Pacquiao didn't figure in here somewhere. Recognized as being the best pound for pound fighter in the world, any of Pacquiao's title fights would qualify for this list of greatest fights. It would be a pleasure to watch this Filipino lefty again as he defeats boxing greats like David Diaz, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar de la Hoya and his demolition of Ricky Hatton.
Many more could be added to the list, both from the "old" fighters and the newer ones. The best boxing fights are filled not only with a display of strength, power and tactics, they are also loaded with emotions that could stir hope, unite people, and open new horizons to peoples and races.
The great fights of the past bring back legendary names such as Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano and even the daddy of them all, John L. Sullivan. Then onto Randolph Turpin, Floyd Patterson and the great Cassius Clay, soon to become Muhammed Ali. Then into the modern era. Who can say who was best or what fights were the best ever. There are too many great ones, and those mentioned above are just a very small drop in a large ocean, with everybody having their own favorites.
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There would definitely be no violent reaction if the Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier match dubbed as "The Thriller in Manila" would be mentioned first and thus get the top slot. Ali himself described this fight as one that sent him as close to death as he had ever been. Both men threw venomous punches which made the fight one of the best that boxing had ever seen. After the fight, neither man was ever the same.There are at least several other Ali fights that would qualify as "best" but this one stands out. How about Sugar Ray Robinson's fights when he defeated Henry Armstrong, Jake La Motta, Carmine Basilio, Gene Fullmer, Carl Olsen, Randy Turpin, Rocky Graziano, Kid Gavilin and Fritzie Zivic? The long list tells why he deserves to be included. Defeating the best boxers is equivalent to fighting the best fights. This list includes a few of the many Hall of Fame Champions whom Sugar Ray fought against and defeated. Just pick any of these fights and you get the best.
Rocky Marciano achieved one of the best boxing knockouts when he smashed Jersey Jo Walcott to the canvas. In fact, had Walcott been an ordinary person, he would have been decapitated. Among other of Marciano's fights eligible to be considered best are his winning fights against Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore.
Add to your list of the best boxing knockouts the Diego Corrales vs. Juan Luis Castillo match. This fight, giving Diego Corrales the WBC lightweight crown in May 2005 was a full recipe of battering blows, lightning combinations and underhand tactics. What's amazing about this best boxing fight is the fact that Corrales had been knocked down twice and still won. He spat out his gumshield after each knockdown to gain additional recovery time. Corrales needed more rounds to deliver his so-called "perfect" right hand that sent Castillo down in Round 10.
Of course it would be unfair not to put the Mickey Ward vs. Arturo Gatti fight in the list. This match was considered one that brought back memories from a golden era of boxing. After a decade of controversies in the boxing world, this "Fight of the Century" helped revive boxing's flagging fortunes. This 2002 event sent the two fighters into a brawl that was so reminiscent of the old days, with Ward sending Gatti down in the ninth round with his ferocious left.
The Julio Cesar Chaves vs. Meldrick Taylor fight truly belongs to the "best" list, and truly astonishing at that! These two talented fighters went at it for almost the full twelve rounds. You were asking why almost? It is because Chavez, who was behind on points, was able to steal the victory over Taylor only in the last two seconds of Round 12. If this fight doesn't qualify for the best then what does?
It would make the list incomplete if Manny Pacquiao didn't figure in here somewhere. Recognized as being the best pound for pound fighter in the world, any of Pacquiao's title fights would qualify for this list of greatest fights. It would be a pleasure to watch this Filipino lefty again as he defeats boxing greats like David Diaz, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar de la Hoya and his demolition of Ricky Hatton.
Many more could be added to the list, both from the "old" fighters and the newer ones. The best boxing fights are filled not only with a display of strength, power and tactics, they are also loaded with emotions that could stir hope, unite people, and open new horizons to peoples and races.
The great fights of the past bring back legendary names such as Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano and even the daddy of them all, John L. Sullivan. Then onto Randolph Turpin, Floyd Patterson and the great Cassius Clay, soon to become Muhammed Ali. Then into the modern era. Who can say who was best or what fights were the best ever. There are too many great ones, and those mentioned above are just a very small drop in a large ocean, with everybody having their own favorites.
Read More :
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