ESPN
Boxing is without doubt one of the oldest sports activities on the planet, courting again to Historical Egypt. It has been part of each tradition because the daybreak of time however has all the time been common all through its historical past, particularly in america and Europe.
Boxers have all the time had their rivalries and followers have all the time tried to foretell the outcomes on a wide range of completely different ranges. However what are a few of the most iconic and memorable fights of all time? Right here, we’ve rounded up 10 unbelievable fights, however in case you’re watching a battle sooner or later, don’t neglect to take a look at the live betting odds first!
1. Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier
The battle between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier is taken into account one of many best of all time. It happened in Madison Sq. Backyard, and it was a battle between two heavyweight champions.
The match between these males would turn out to be generally known as “The Combat of the Century” as a result of it introduced collectively two undefeated fighters who had dominated their respective divisions for years. The one remaining query was whether or not Ali’s velocity and energy can be sufficient towards Frazier’s energy and willpower.
2. Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier, Once more (Thrilla in Manila)
This battle was additionally between Ali and Frazier, and it was an emotional rematch, with Frazier successful by unanimous choice. The battle happened in Manilla, Philippines, and was generally known as “The Thrilla in Manila“. It was thought-about probably the most violent fights in boxing historical past and was the third between the 2, with Ali successful 2:1 general.
3. Larry Holmes vs. Muhammad Ali (The Final Hurrah)
Many boxing followers think about this battle to be the best of all time. Ali and Holmes have been each 6’3, making it a match-up of two large boxers. They traded punches for 10 rounds, with Holmes successful by a technical knockout.
4. Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II
On June 28, 1997, Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson took to the ring for his or her rematch in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was a memorable match certainly: The battle ended with Tyson disqualified for biting Holyfield’s ear. After years of dominating the game, he had lastly met his match.
5. Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Supply: https://unsplash.com/images/Clv9DfJLwac
It’s one other match that ranks among the many most memorable boxing matches of all time.
On this battle, Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Oscar De La Hoya by a break up choice. Tickets for this battle bought out inside a matter of hours, and it generated thousands and thousands from followers paying to view the battle on tv, too.
6. Marvin Hagler vs. Tommy Hearns
Marvin Hagler was one of the greatest boxers in history, and he confirmed it along with his trademark left hand. Hagler’s proper hand was equally deadly, however nothing made him as scary as his left hook. He would throw it at will and land it nearly each time he threw it. If you happen to may get within his vary then you definately’d have some success towards him, however there have been few who may match the velocity or energy of Marvin’s fists.
Tommy Hearns had unbelievable energy in each arms as properly, though he tended to depend on his proper hand when throwing punches as a rule (he additionally had a really efficient uppercut). Tommy’s stability was higher than most fighters round his weight class, which allowed him to remain heading in the right direction longer with out being knocked off-balance by incoming blows from opponents. That is why many followers think about Tommy’s fashion extra “pure” than different fighters.
Hagler finally took this battle in simply three rounds, by knockout.
7. Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns II
This was the 1989 rematch of their first battle, which happened in 1981. This time round it was a 12-round break up draw, so each fighters have been capable of maintain on to their tremendous middleweight championship titles.
8. Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Greg Haugen
The battle between these two legendary boxers was probably the most thrilling matchups in boxing historical past. It lasted for five rounds and ended with a TKO victory for Chavez. The match was held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada on September sixteenth, 1993.
9. Felix Trinidad vs. Pernell Whitaker
The battle between Pernell Whitaker and Felix Trinidad was probably the most anticipated welterweight title fights in historical past, with each fighters coming again after month-long absences. The battle happened on February twentieth, 1999 at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Trinidad finally emerged victorious, by a unanimous choice after 12 grueling rounds.
10. Lennox Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko
Final however not least, Lennox Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko’s ‘Battle of the Titans’, which happened on June twenty first, 2003 on the iconic Staples Heart, Los Angeles, California.
Klitschko began extremely properly, regardless of not being the favourite to win, however finally Lewis gained by TKO after 6 rounds. It was the final battle of his profession.