Greatest wins in history

[Ezzard]

Here is my top 10 (in no order)

I’m looking at guys beating other greats who were close to their primes…often in divisions above the winner’s best…(but not always)

Ezzard Charles KO 8 Archie Moore

Charles wins by a clean KO in a fight in which he is behind…against the greatest Light-Heavyweight Champion ever

Sam Langford KO 19 Harry Wills

Having lost his last 2 fights (both to Wills) Langford was past his best but comes back to score a KO win over the giant Wills

Tony Canzoneri KO 3 Kid Berg

Canzoneri avenges a previous defeat with a sensational stoppage over champion Berg who was in a rich vein of form

Roberto Duran W15 Ray Leonard

The best fighter of the 70s beats the best fighter of the 80s…how can anyone appear to have faster reflexes than Leonard

Joe Frazier W15 Muhammad Ali
The smaller Frazier beats the greatest [don’t hijack the thread – you know who you are…]

Harry Greb W15 Gene Tunney

Greb the only man to beat Tunney

Ray Robinson KO 5 Gene Fullmer
At 36 (before PEDs kept you young) Robinson scores a clean KO against a granite chinned fully fledged Middleweight champion

Max Schmeling KO12 Joe Louis

Schmeling KOs arguably the greatest of the heavyweights

Harry Greb W15 Tommy Gibbons

Just 2 months before defeating Tunney Greb beats another all-time great Light-Heavyweight champion

Willie Pep W15 Sandy Saddler

After such a crushing psychological defeat Pep manages to pull on all his resources to beat a man who was physically his superior. Saddler is often overlooked and he wins the series…but Pep wins this one against the odds.


Almost made it…

Armstrong beating Ross – only reason I pulled back on this one was because it was Ross’ last fight…sop not sure how much he had left…but this one is the best of the rest.
Turpin beating Robinson
Robinson as a welterweight beating LaMotta
Fitzsimmons KO14 Corbett – could actually be a few of Fitzsimmons’ wins that make it but I just don’t know enough about the era
Leonard beating Hagler
Griffith beating Tiger
Sanchez over Nelson

[RadioElRadar]

I like those picks.

I often think Morales' win over Pacquiao is pretty monumental, one of the best since Duran-Leonard I.

[Vladimir5555]

Nelson KO 11 Gomez
Sanchez KO 8 Gomez

[scallum]

Ali vs Foreman

[Ezzard]

Nelson KO 11 Gomez
Sanchez KO 8 Gomez

Gomez was not the same man by the time Nelson got to him...still a terrific win though

[Syntax Error]

To a slightly lesser extent, but Roy Jones Jr's masterclass over James Toney.

Both men were quite highly regarded, but it was 160lb boss Jones Jr who jumped up & humiliated 168lb king James Toney.

[Vladimir5555]

November 26, 1977

Gimnasio Nuevo Panama

Soo-Hwan Hong KO 3 over Hector Carrasquilla

The greatest bout I ever saw............

WBA Super Bantamweight Championship bout.

X2.Great fight.

[giacomino]

Bazooka Gomez KO of C. Zarate

[BoxBuzz]

How can you not include Moore over Durelle?


It's equal to the story of Lazarus.


It's not about how good Durelle was or wasn't....it's about how far gone Archie was when he simply

"willed" himself back into the fight and on to a KO win.

[gilgamesh]

Buster Douglas KO 10 Mike Tyson has definitely gotta make the list

Roberto Duran's victory over Iran Barkley

George Foreman KO 10 Michael Moorer getting his ass whipped all night long, Foreman turns it around in the 10th round with just a few shots.

[Seamus]

Some fights that I'll add to the list, many of which I agree with.

1. Hate to have to mention it, but Sandy Saddler's 4th round demolition of Willie Pep. I've never bought into the Saddler had Pep's number myth, simply because there are extenuating circumstances, but in the 1st fight, Saddler did win in shocking fashion.

2.Rubin Carter KO 1 Emile Griffith. Don't think an explanation is really necessary.

3.Jimmy McLarnin KO 1 Young Corbett III. Corbett had a helluva career before and after this landmine in the road.

4.Young Corbett II KO 2 Terry McGovern. Corbett annihilated one of the most feared fighters of his day, and in less than 2 rds !

5.Pernell Whitaker's performance vs Julio Cesar Chavez.

[yancey]

Has there ever been a stage like the FOTC?

Two undefeated, bonafide great heavyweight champions both very close to their peaks with the whole world stopped and watching.

Sure, fights like Louis-Schmeling II and Dempsey-Tunney come to mind, but Frazier's win is easily my choice as the greatest win.

[Vladimir5555]

Pryor TKO 14 Arguello
Pacman TKO 11 Barrera
Foreman TKO 2 Frazier

[Ezzard]

Some fights that I'll add to the list, many of which I agree with.

1. Hate to have to mention it, but Sandy Saddler's 4th round demolition of Willie Pep. I've never bought into the Saddler had Pep's number myth, simply because there are extenuating circumstances, but in the 1st fight, Saddler did win in shocking fashion.

2.Rubin Carter KO 1 Emile Griffith. Don't think an explanation is really necessary.

3.Jimmy McLarnin KO 1 Young Corbett III. Corbett had a helluva career before and after this landmine in the road.

4.Young Corbett II KO 2 Terry McGovern. Corbett annihilated one of the most feared fighters of his day, and in less than 2 rds !

5.Pernell Whitaker's performance vs Julio Cesar Chavez.

Saddler for sure... McLarnin too...

As great as the other wins were I don't see them as impressive. Greats who started off in higher divisions should beat greats who started off in lower divisions. I still count them as truly great wins...just not great of the great...

[Ambling Alp II]

Doesn't matter where a fighter starts his career, it matters if he had naturally grown in weight was used to it, and still in his prime.

Anyway, there are some great wins listed here. Here are a few more:

Ali over Frazier in their 3rd fight. Great action in extreme heat.
Benitez W15 over Cervantes. Benitez was only 17 years old.
Leonard TKo 8 Duran. Feeling he had no chance to win, Duran forced to quit.
Walcott KO7 Charles. Walcott wins the title in his 5th try at the age of 37 with a lefthook out of nowhere.
LaMotta KO 15 Dauthuille. Behind, LaMotta rallies for Ko in the final seconds to save his title.
Weaver KO 15 Tate. Well behind on points, Weaver knocks out Tate to win the title.

[Seamus]

To me a truly great win is a clearcut victory over a fighter who appears seemingly unbeatable. Therefore a an amazing comeback (Moore v Durelle) or an old fighter's defying the odds (Duran v Barkley) don't qualify. A prime example, not yet listed I think would be in my estimation. Invincible appearing Eder Jofre being decisively beaten by Fighting Harada.

[Ezzard]

Doesn't matter where a fighter starts his career, it matters if he had naturally grown in weight was used to it, and still in his prime.

Anyway, there are some great wins listed here. Here are a few more:

Ali over Frazier in their 3rd fight. Great action in extreme heat.
Benitez W15 over Cervantes. Benitez was only 17 years old.
Leonard TKo 8 Duran. Feeling he had no chance to win, Duran forced to quit.
Walcott KO7 Charles. Walcott wins the title in his 5th try at the age of 37 with a lefthook out of nowhere.
LaMotta KO 15 Dauthuille. Behind, LaMotta rallies for Ko in the final seconds to save his title.
Weaver KO 15 Tate. Well behind on points, Weaver knocks out Tate to win the title.

Griffith was obviously not as effective at Middle as he was at Welter. Chavez lost a lot by the time he got past 135. Still great wins. Just not the very top.

[elmersalsa]

Here are my top10 greatest wins in boxing history:

1. Joe Frazier W15 Muhammad Ali I: In the most anticipated fight of all time, Frazier and Ali gave the world a fight of the ages. Their contrast personalities and boxing styles is what made this fight of March 8, 1971 Monday night so special. Not to mention that extraordinary left hook that dropped Ali in round 15 when both of them were very exhausted, and to top it off, Ali got up like a champion. Ali proved to be a great fighter that night and won lots of respect from the press. But Frazier was the BETTER MAN and won the biggest fight of the 20th century.

2. Roberto Duran W15 Sugar Ray Leonard I: It was the biggest and still is the most anticipated fight of all time, outside the heavyweights. Another fight of different styles and personalities, an African American superstar vs the Latin American and Hispanic hero. Duran was not going to be denied in that night in Montreal and showed the world that he is indeed an all time great. It was Duran's greatest win in which he showed all his boxing abilities.

3. Bob Fitzsimmons KO14 James J. Corbett: Outweighted by 17 pounds, at only 167lbs, to Corbett's 184, Ruby at age 36, became the first middleweight champion to become heavyweight king. This is not the great Roy Jones, Jr win over goofy John Ruiz. This win was a classical win. One of the best of all time! It was a "Solar Plexus Punch" that paralyzed Corbett until the count of 10. That is why I rank Fitzsimmons in the top 15 greatest fighters ever.

4. Wilfred Benitez W15 Antonio Cervantes: How could a seventeen year old boy beat a grown man in his prime? Easily, Benitez, gave Cervantes a boxing lesson that he would never forget, becoming the youngest fighter in boxing history to become world champion. A feat that probably will never be duplicated.

5. Roberto Duran W12 Iran Barkley: I mean, is there any win like it? A man that is considered WASHED UP and FINISHED, at 37, has his last hurrah when he defeated a younger, taller, stronger, and faster opponent that just came off a big win stopping the great Thomas Hearns in 3 rounds. The pace was incredible for both fighters. Both fighters fought their hearts out. It was unbelievable how Duran went toe to toe with a natural middleweight. In fact, he was almost knocked out in round 6 by a perfect left hook by Iran. If "No Mas" was his downfall, here in this fight, Duran made up for it with COJONES!!!...This to me, got to put Manos de Piedra in the top 5 greatest fighters ever. He belongs in the Mt. Rushmore of Boxing.

6. Sugar Ray Leonard TKO14 Thomas Hearns I: The most anticipated fight after Duran vs Leonard I, outside the heavyweights. Two CHAMPIONS in their prime gave us probably the best fight ever. To me, the best fight that I have ever seen. A see saw battle. Back and forth. Puncher turned boxer. Boxer turned puncher. Leonard tired, and with an eye almost shut, and behind in the scorecards, rallied and stopped the fearsome Hitman. It was Sugar Ray's FINEST HOUR.

7. Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman: The second most anticipated fight in boxing history took place in Kinshasa, Zaire of all places. Ali at 32, had a strategy called "The Rope a Dope" and exhausted the big puncher Big George that just came of destroying the great Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in less than four rounds. Ali Bombaye! This became Ali's greatest triumph and placed him in the all time top 10 greatest fighters ever.

8. Salvador Sanchez TKO8 Wilfredo Gomez: Probably in Latin America, there has not ever been a more anticipated fight between two great champions in their prime. One Mexican and the other Puerto Rican made it greater in this rivalry. Sanchez took Bazooka apart bit by bit. A awesome display of complete endurance and skill. Gomez showed lots of heart, even though he had a swollen eye, the other was completely shut, broken cheekbones and wilted. Sanchez became national hero by beating a man that was beating Mexicans boxers for a long time. "Mexico tiene un Salvador" said the cover of The Ring in Spanish. Meaning, "Mexico has a Saviour".....It was Sanchez' greatest performance.

9. Marvin Hagler TKO3 Thomas Hearns: Probably I will never see a fight like it, and probably you won't either. The Hitman and the Marvelous traded blows at terrific pace in which became the 3 greatest first rounds of a fight, all time. Hagler with a gash in his forehead, almost lost his title by a cut. He became one of the greatest middleweights in history with this win. He was not just great, he was Marvelous!!!

10. Jersey Joe Walcott KO7 Ezzard Charles: Walcott was already beaten by Charles twice. And the third fight in Pittsburgh, PA looked like it was not going to be different. A great left uppercut put "The Cincinnati Cobra" to sleep until the count of 1000. Walcott became the oldest fighter in history, at 37 years old, to win the world heavyweight crown for the first time.

Honorary Mention:

Julio Cesar Chavez TKO12 Meldrick Taylor....Two seconds away from greatness, Taylor is stopped.
Floyd Patterson KO3 Ingemar Johansson II....Patterson, embarrassed the first time, became the first man ever to recapture the world heavyweight crown.
Joe Louis KO1 Max Schmeling II...One of boxing's greatest performances....Germany surrenders.
George Foreman TKO2 Joe Frazier I...."Down goes Frazuh!", "Down goes Frazuh!", "Down goes Frazuh!"

[SenorPipino]

Not exactly sure how this list is being compiled---Significance? Excitement?

But whatever. No list would be complete with Foreman-Lyle in January 1976. If it was staged for a movie, everyone would shake their heads and say "No real fight could every look like that!"
Rocky vs Creed come to life.

[elmersalsa]

Another in the honorary mention in my list would be Holyfield TKO11 Tyson I. It was a great win and upset.

[Ambling Alp II]

Not exactly sure how this list is being compiled---Significance? Excitement?

But whatever. No list would be complete with Foreman-Lyle in January 1976. If it was staged for a movie, everyone would shake their heads and say "No real fight could every look like that!"
Rocky vs Creed come to life.

I think everyone has their own criteria in this thread.

One thing that I have noticed is that we seem to pick and choose fights where one our favorite guys won.
There are at least 6 fights chosen where someone chose a fight where the winner of that particular fight lost the series to that opponent, but none of the opponents' wins are listed by that person.

For example, Langford over Wills is listed, none of Wills wins are listed and he won the majority of their fights.
There is also:
Greb-Tunney I (Greb won)
Duran-Leonard I (Duran won)
Pep-Saddler II (Pep won)
Frazier-Ali I (Frazier won)
Robinson-Fullmer II (Robinson won)

[SaadOffTheDeck]

My top 3 would be

Frazier/Ali 1
Duran/Leonard 1
Leonard/Hearns 1

[drunkenpiper36]

That was an excellent list.

I think Walcott's KO over Charles was pretty big, esepcially after losing to him twice. Douglas upsetting Tyson was a huge win. whitaker's master performance against against Chavez also comes to mind ( though he was robbed and given a draw. )

[tommo100]

curry vs honeyghan,i know the cobra was struggling making the weight,but it was still don curry,the best p4p fighter in the world at the time,honeyghan didn't just nick a decision he destroyed him,curry was never the same again

[tommo100]

curry vs honeyghan,i know the cobra was struggling making the weight,but it was still don curry,the best p4p fighter in the world at the time,honeyghan didn't just nick a decision he destroyed him,curry was never the same again