Biggest gap between same two fighters fighting for HW world title

[Benelio]

Let's say that Haye beats Bellew and Wlad comes off on top against Joshua. Presumably that would pave the way to Haye Wlad 2. In which case it would be over 6 years for the same two fighters to fight for a recognized HW title. Is there anything in history that would beat this gap in same-opponent title fights?

[fanman]

Billy Conn fought Joe Louis in 1941 and again in 1946.
Klitschko fought Tony Thompson in 2008 and 2012. ... So not quite 6 years ... Though i dont think klit would be looking to fight haye again, he would rematch joshua or go after wilder imo.

[crusader]

Biggest gap I can find is 5.5 years between Wlad and Byrd fighting for the WBO, and then rematching for the IBF.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Billy Conn fought Joe Louis in 1941 and again in 1946.
Klitschko fought Tony Thompson in 2008 and 2012. ... So not quite 6 years ... Though i dont think klit would be looking to fight haye again, he would rematch joshua or go after wilder imo.

If Wlad loses to Joshua, I think he will retire. I think in fact he may well retire whatever the result.

Nothing left to prove if he wins really.

[Rexob]

Champ Tyson vs Bruno 89 then champ Bruno vs Tyson in 96. That's over 7 years got to be up there.

[Benelio]

If Joshua unravels in a novicey way, and Haye beats Bellew without looking as good as he did years ago, then Wlad could make 5-10 million rematching a guy he'll think he still has the beating of. It's not like he's not rematched other guys he's beat in the past (Peters, Thompson) .

[JC]

Ali and Patterson fought for the HW title in '65 and '72

[crusader]

Was the rematch for the world title?

[JC]

Was the rematch for the world title?

Actually you're right, looked it up and it wasn't.

Always though it was for some reason, but now I think about it the rumble in the jungle was '74.

[Benelio]

I guess we can forget about that record being broken anytime soon then.