Classic fights I've watched recently

[Nile4000]

Ive only ever seen this fight with Moore but I hear he was good champion, I don't know what your referring to about him being not 100% fit but from what I seen from this fight, as tough as he was, he tried to be game even at the end but IMO he was too vulnerable for Duran who was on top form

My understanding was Davey took the fight with some recent dental work. I think if he postponed it, he would have fared better.

Given he was beaten half-blind and his balls knocked into his throat I'd say his teeth were the least of his problems

He was thumbed, or something. Not denying Roberto his win totally, but some funny stuff happpened.

[handsofstone]

Marvin Hagler vs Tony Sibson


Hagler at his destructive best and destroys Sibson in 6 rounds, he was just levels above Sibson and done and landed as he pleased switching stances and landing every shot with mean intentions, his jab looked terrific especially and he jolted Tony's head back a few times, Sibson was just never in it, it was a brave showing he fought on the front foot never ran and tried to slug it out in the last 2 rounds but by then he was spent and he face was a mess, Hagler put him down with a left in the 6th then again with 3 straight rights and that was that

[Counter-puncher]

Did you see the post fight interview with Sibson mate?

[handsofstone]

Did you see the post fight interview with Sibson mate?

Nah mate i just had a look on youtube couldn't find it, why what did he say?

[littlepug]

watched johnny du ploy v pierre coetzer yesterday, cracking domestic dustup, if you haven't seen it get it watched

[Counter-puncher]

Did you see the post fight interview with Sibson mate?

Nah mate i just had a look on youtube couldn't find it, why what did he say?

I'll try and find it it's fascinating to see Sibson trying to describe Haglers skill 'I was well licked by a master in the ring' very honest interview

[Autobarn]

Wilfredo Vazquez's two wars versus Thierry Jacob (1992 & 1993). Two very exciting, action packed, pretty breathless fights for the WBA super bantamweight title. Good orthodox v southpaw encounter. Both men really dug in. Vazquez got the stoppage in 8 and 10 rounds respectively and really has to work for it. Good little rivalry and two of the better fights I have seen from France.

[Counter-puncher]

I haven't seen any classics in a bit. I think I'll go Morales-Maidana later

[elmersalsa]

Thomas Hearns vs Randy Shields. The Hitman dominated the entire fight. He hit Shields at will and at any time. I got to respect Shields, though. He was tough and game. He had heart, but lacked determination. He took the Hitman's best shots, showing he had a great chin. The fight was won in the 12th round by cuts. Hearns retained the WBA World Welterweight Championship. It's ironic that two of boxing's greatest punchers, Hearns and Pipino Cuevas, never put Shields to sleep.

[Counter-puncher]

I haven't seen any classics in a bit. I think I'll go Morales-Maidana later

[handsofstone]

Marvin Hagler vs John Mugabi

Great fight Hagler KOs an exhausted Mugabi in the 11th, closely fought all the way through, it wasnt the war I expected it to be, both men showing respect and waiting for their openings but it was a good watch, Mugabi was tough and had his moments but Hagler for me was always that little bit more in control , usually with his southpaw jab although he fought the 1st round orthodox, he hurt Mugabi in the 6th but John held on and even fired back, Mugabi looked like he was starting to land more as the fight went on but it mustve emptied his tank because he was spent by the 10th and Hagler finished him the following round putting him down with a combination, Mugabi never made the count

[Bodyshot3]

watched johnny du ploy v pierre coetzer yesterday, cracking domestic dustup, if you haven't seen it get it watched

Du Plooy was rarely in a dull fight and a bit like his fellow countryman Sanders he was a hard-hitter who liked to start fast, take a gamble and was not exactly a master of pacing himself or that well-conditioned enough to fight distance contests against the best.

Sanders v Du Plooy is somewhat predictably a one-round war and probably would have been even if Johnny had not on the slide

[handsofstone]

Wilfred Benitez vs Antonio Cervantes

Benitez dominated Cervantes to become the youngest ever world champion at 17, I read some places this fight was close but for me it was a masterful display from Benitez, not just the fact that he beat a great champion but to do it in the fashion he did was sublime, his jab alone won it for him really and he was able to slip under Cervantes jab and move out of the way of his right hands, any minor troubles he had with Cervantes he dealt with ease, cant believe someone so young could put in such a measured and mature performance, he even upped the pace in the last couple of rounds and was always on his toes befuddling Cervantes

[handsofstone]

Wilfred Benitez vs Carlos Palomino


Another masterful display from Benitez, similar to the Cervantes fight where he just never stayed still long enough for Palomino to get set and like the Cervantes fight Benitez had to settle for a SD win when it should've been a wide UD, Palomino was never in this fight, he might have injured his right hand as he never really threw it with intent, Benitez picked him off with the jab for 15 rounds and in the last 3 really turned the heat up and landed some rapid combinations whilst leaning on the ropes and making Palomino miss and countering him with ease

[Nile4000]

Thomas Hearns vs Randy Shields. The Hitman dominated the entire fight. He hit Shields at will and at any time. I got to respect Shields, though. He was tough and game. He had heart, but lacked determination. He took the Hitman's best shots, showing he had a great chin. The fight was won in the 12th round by cuts. Hearns retained the WBA World Welterweight Championship. It's ironic that two of boxing's greatest punchers, Hearns and Pipino Cuevas, never put Shields to sleep.

Didn't Benitez floor Shields?

[theone]

I did a marathon of James Toney classics the other day for no particular reason, and was extremely happy to have done so. His title winning effort against Nunn, both of his bouts with Mcacullum, his dismantling of Iran Barkley and Prince Charles Williams, and hard fought win against Jirov.
Though I've watched all those fights live (on tv, not the venues) I had almost forgotten what an absolute master at defense and counter punching "Lights Out" truly was. Truly thrilling to behold.

[Ambling Alp II]

Marvin Hagler vs John Mugabi

Great fight Hagler KOs an exhausted Mugabi in the 11th, closely fought all the way through, it wasnt the war I expected it to be, both men showing respect and waiting for their openings but it was a good watch, Mugabi was tough and had his moments but Hagler for me was always that little bit more in control , usually with his southpaw jab although he fought the 1st round orthodox, he hurt Mugabi in the 6th but John held on and even fired back, Mugabi looked like he was starting to land more as the fight went on but it mustve emptied his tank because he was spent by the 10th and Hagler finished him the following round putting him down with a combination, Mugabi never made the count

Mugabi fought a tremendous fight in a losing effort. For younger fans, he is worth checking out.

[theone]

Marvin Hagler vs John Mugabi

Great fight Hagler KOs an exhausted Mugabi in the 11th, closely fought all the way through, it wasnt the war I expected it to be, both men showing respect and waiting for their openings but it was a good watch, Mugabi was tough and had his moments but Hagler for me was always that little bit more in control , usually with his southpaw jab although he fought the 1st round orthodox, he hurt Mugabi in the 6th but John held on and even fired back, Mugabi looked like he was starting to land more as the fight went on but it mustve emptied his tank because he was spent by the 10th and Hagler finished him the following round putting him down with a combination, Mugabi never made the count

Mugabi fought a tremendous fight in a losing effort. For younger fans, he is worth checking out.

Maybe make a disclaimer about the Norris fight, in case they see that fight first. You know how these youngsters lack perspective.

[Nile4000]

Milton McCrory vs Colin Jones 1+2

The two fights that exposed Milton for not being up to par.

[Autobarn]

Leo Randolph v Ricardo Cardona (1980)

Leo Cruz v Sergio Victor Palma II (1982)

Two great 15-rounders for the WBA super bantamweight/ jr featherweight title.

These guys weren't the level of their contemporary Wilfredo Gomez but I feel they really came into their own with these rivalries for the WBA crown - and they set a standard for grit, toughness and intensity that'd make 122-pounds such a consistently exciting weight class. For clean punching and sustained action these fights really impress.

In particular Cruz v Palma II, Cruz becoming a world champion at his third attempt. You'd see similar level of grit in the careers of Daniel Zaragoza, Israel Vazquez, Toshiaki Nishioka, etc.

Also, I feel Lupe Pintor, who dabbled at 122 in a couple of sensational battles (v Gomez and also Juan Meza) would've matched well with Randolph, Cardona, Cruz & Palma. They would've produced action, in spades.

[handsofstone]

Wilfred Benitez vs Maurice Hope


Benitez KOs Hope in the 12th to win the world Super Welterweight title and become a 3 weight world champ at only 22, incredible achievement and the KO was a sickener of a right hand that knocked Hope out cold, he'd already put Hope down in the 10th with a straight right hand but it never really hurt him but the last KO was a beauty, nothing much happened for the 1st 6 rounds, Hope was pressing without really throwing and Benitez was just showing cameos, in the 6th round Benitez sprung into life and unleashed a barrage of punches that seemed to hurt Hope, after that it was all Benitez as he found his range bursting into combos of lefts and rights, the class was there to see and Hope was all gone(see what I did there? )

Not a classic fight but a KO worthy of winning a world title in any era

[PredatorHayds]

Wilfred Benitez vs Maurice Hope


Benitez KOs Hope in the 12th to win the world Super Welterweight title and become a 3 weight world champ at only 22, incredible achievement and the KO was a sickener of a right hand that knocked Hope out cold, he'd already put Hope down in the 10th with a straight right hand but it never really hurt him but the last KO was a beauty, nothing much happened for the 1st 6 rounds, Hope was pressing without really throwing and Benitez was just showing cameos, in the 6th round Benitez sprung into life and unleashed a barrage of punches that seemed to hurt Hope, after that it was all Benitez as he found his range bursting into combos of lefts and rights, the class was there to see and Hope was all gone(see what I did there? )

Not a classic fight but a KO worthy of winning a world title in any era

Good article on this in the current edition of Boxing News.

[handsofstone]

Wilfred Benitez vs Maurice Hope


Benitez KOs Hope in the 12th to win the world Super Welterweight title and become a 3 weight world champ at only 22, incredible achievement and the KO was a sickener of a right hand that knocked Hope out cold, he'd already put Hope down in the 10th with a straight right hand but it never really hurt him but the last KO was a beauty, nothing much happened for the 1st 6 rounds, Hope was pressing without really throwing and Benitez was just showing cameos, in the 6th round Benitez sprung into life and unleashed a barrage of punches that seemed to hurt Hope, after that it was all Benitez as he found his range bursting into combos of lefts and rights, the class was there to see and Hope was all gone(see what I did there? )

Not a classic fight but a KO worthy of winning a world title in any era

Good article on this in the current edition of Boxing News.

Nice one mate i'll give it a check out

[handsofstone]

Davey Moore vs Wilfred Benitez

Moore stops Benitez in 2 rounds in a strange contest, he nailed Benitez with a right hand with about a minute left of the 1st round and Benitez broke his ankle, he got up, stayed in the corner whilst Moore opened up on him, ive gotta say though Benitez's defensive skills were on point though and it was great to watch him avoid nearly everything Moore threw, the damage was done though Benitez came out for the 2nd round and stayed in the same corner whilst Moore steamed in, he hit Benitez low and the ref bizarrely gave Benitez a count depite him not going down, Moore nailed him with another fine right hand and the ref rightly stepped in, Benitez couldn't move but he was brave and never quit

Great win for Moore despite the freak injury to Benitez's ankle, I never knew Davey died so young after an accident involving his car, shame as he had some more big fights in him I'm sure

[Nile4000]

He would have cleaned Curry's clock, that's for sure.