The loser left the ring with more adulation, respect, & admiration than his conqueror? This could be an opinion piece --- where you felt the beaten fighter deserved more credit than the victor, or where it was a fact that the loser received more praise than the winner. Often times, this comes down to a fighter doing far better than expected en route to defeat.
Charles-Walcott II
Holyfield-Foreman
Holyfield-Holmes
Holyfield-Cooper
Louis-Conn I
Marciano-Charles I
Marciano-Walcott I
From the history books, Jeffries v. Corbett I and Jeffries v. Fitzsimmons II
Tunney v. Dempsey I. (Not so much his performance, but how he conducted himself in defeat - "Honey, I just forgot to duck" - endeared him to many fans.)
