Boxing is one of the most popular sports in the world and can be dated back as far as the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC.
Its matches are filled with shows of talent and strength that are always entertaining to watch. Boxing has also become a popular sport for betting which you can find out more about at Fanduel.com.
While every boxing match is thrilling in its own way, there are a few that have made a mark on history. Either through even competition or a one-sided fight, one match can make or break a boxer’s career.
Below we have compiled some of the most memorable boxing matches and what made them so special.
Evander Holyfield Vs Mike Tyson II
It is impossible to take about memorable fights without bringing up Holyfield Vs Tyson in 1996. At the time it was known as The Sound And The Fury but this quickly changed to The Bite Fight after the match.
The fight itself was a rematch after Holyfield won the WBA Heavyweight title from Tyson. It was heavily anticipated but it wouldn’t go down in history for the fighting quality. Instead, it is for a negative reason this fight is so referenced.
Holyfield was putting up an impressive fight, so much so that Tyson was starting to lose his patience. In the third round Tyson bit a piece off Holyfield’s ear which he then spat out.
For this misconduct Tyson was disqualified from the match and lost his boxing license. His license would later be reinstated but this fight would be a permanent stain on his career.
Erik Morales Vs Marco Antonio Barrera
The rivalry between Morales and Barrera is considered one of the most iconic in boxing, and this 2000 match is where it all started. Granted, we could’ve put any of their matches on this list but the first has a special place in our hearts.
The fight was action-packed from the start with the assault continuing into the fifth round. At this point, Barrera was showing a clear loss but he was able to retaliate and show his talents. The outcome was decided via split decision with Morales being declared the victor.
Bot men won Ring’s Round of the Year award for this fight and they would historically go on to fight 2 more times.
Muhammad Ali Vs George Foreman
This fight is the one that defined Muhammad Ali as one of the greatest technical fighters of all time. Taking place in 1974 and billed as The Rumble In The Jungle, Ali was considered the underdog and expected to lose against Foreman.
Foreman was a force to be reckoned with and was known for his strong hits. In order to combat this Ali used the ropes as a sort of armor against Foreman’s strikes until he wore himself out. This was the beginning of Ali’s famous rope-a-dope technique.
After Foreman was tired, Ali used a hard right hook to take him down and claim his victory.
Marvin Hagler Vs Thomas Hearns
In 1985, Hagler and Hearns gave the world one of the most thrilling fights. It was only 3 rounds and lasted 8 minutes, but each second was packed with action.
Both fighters were known for their powerful punches and their determination to win gave a fantastic performance. In the end, Hagler won with 2 uppercuts.
Floyd Mayweather Jr Vs Manny Pacquiao
The newest fight on our list, Mayweather Vs Pacquiao was one the most anticipated matches in history.
It is a hot debate on if this fight lived up to the hype, but each fighter showed their iconic fighting style and in the end, Mayweather won. It was a technically impressive fight from start to finish.
It is also one of the highest-grossing boxing matches in history earning about $410 million from pay per views.
Joe Frazier Vs Muhammad Ali
This was considered The Fight Of The Century and took place in 1971. Both Frazier and Ali were undefeated up to this point and the WBA, WBC, and Ring Heavyweight titles were on the line.
It also had a cultural significance as Ali had been stripped of his titles after refusing to draft to the Vietnam war, Frazier was then adopted as a pro-war figure. These ideals matched the feelings of the American public at the time which made this fight even more enticing.
Ali took an early lead in the fight, but Frazier was able to land a right hook that knocked Ali down. Ali was able to get up but he received his first loss.
Sugar Ray Robinson Vs Jake LaMotta VI
This 1951 fight was later called the Valentine’s Day Massacre and for good reason. This was Robinson’s and LaMotta’s sixth and final match against each other.
From the beginning Robinson was vicious. He never let up and the fight had to be stopped in the 13th round due to LaMotta’s injuries.
Andy Bowen Vs Jack Burke
This 1893 math gets a bit of a pass on this list because you technically can’t view it, and it was reported that people fell asleep during the match so it can’t be that thrilling can it?
Well, this match is the longest professional boxing match in history lasting 110 rounds and just over 7 hours. Although we can’t watch it, the thought of this fight is thrilling enough to make it to this list.
Both fighters we so evenly matched that it was eventually considered a draw. By the end apparently, Bowen and Burke had each lost 10 pounds and Burke had broken both his hands.
Conclusion
As you can see, each of these fights shows the talents and skills of the boxer and how they approach this ‘sweet science’.
Boxing is not just about strength, but also strategy. Due to their diverse talents, boxers become some of the most recognizable names in the world of sports. Their fights prove they deserve the glory that is bestowed upon them.
