Non-Title Heavyweight Fights since 2000

[ElJefe]

Was watching an interview with Hearn the other day in which he described Dillian Whyte vs Lucas Browne as being the best (or biggest, can't remember) fight that could be made outside of the Heavyweight title holders.

Firstly, I'd argue that it's not. It's probably something like Luis Ortiz vs Alexander Povetkin. But still, that Whyte vs Browne could be considered the best non-title HW fight is pretty shocking. Made me think of some good non-title HW fights from yesteryear, specifically the 90s. A quick flick through BoxRec shows the likes of...

Ike Ibeabuchi vs David Tua
Ike Ibeabuchi vs Chris Byrd
David Tua vs John Ruiz
David Tua vs Hasim Rahman
Riddick Bowe vs Evander Holyfield - 3rd fight.
Riddick Bowe vs Andrew Golota - 2 fights.
Evander Holyfield vs Ray Mercer
Lennox Lewis vs Ray Mercer
Lennox Lewis vs Tommy Morrison
Lennox Lewis vs Razor Ruddock
Tommy Morrison vs Razor Ruddock

I didn't include Foreman vs Briggs as it was for the lineal title.

That's over 10 pretty decent fights considering there was no belt on the line. These types of fights seem to have completely dried up, however. Since 2000 I can hardly think of any. This isn't so much a question, more just me thinking out loud sort of thing. What decent fights have we had in the 21st century without a belt on the line? Which ones would you like to see from the current crop?

[Matt W]

Can chuck in the two Tyson - Ruddock fights to that list, also Holyfield - Dokes.

[TheGman]

Can chuck in the two Tyson - Ruddock fights to that list, also Holyfield - Dokes.

They were before 2000 mate

[jameswilson]

Haye v Harrison.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Chisora-Whyte.

Wasn't the best fight that could have been made between non-beltholders. But sure was a top scrap.

Whilst Wlad was dominating. What other fights were there between non-title holders? Haye-Chisora?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Haye v Harrison.

Was for WBA title.

[bigjack]

Chisora-Whyte.

Wasn't the best fight that could have been made between non-beltholders. But sure was a top scrap.

Whilst Wlad was dominating. What other fights were there between non-title holders? Haye-Chisora?

I was going to say that one,on paper could have been a stinker but turned into a belter.

[dr_devious]

Vlad v Peter 1 was one of the more notable non-title HW fights since 2000.

[ElJefe]

Vlad v Peter 1 was one of the more notable non-title HW fights since 2000.

Great shout

[boxingknockout]

Was watching an interview with Hearn the other day in which he described Dillian Whyte vs Lucas Browne as being the best (or biggest, can't remember) fight that could be made outside of the Heavyweight title holders.

Firstly, I'd argue that it's not. It's probably something like Luis Ortiz vs Alexander Povetkin. But still, that Whyte vs Browne could be considered the best non-title HW fight is pretty shocking. Made me think of some good non-title HW fights from yesteryear, specifically the 90s. A quick flick through BoxRec shows the likes of...

Ike Ibeabuchi vs David Tua
Ike Ibeabuchi vs Chris Byrd
David Tua vs John Ruiz
David Tua vs Hasim Rahman
Riddick Bowe vs Evander Holyfield - 3rd fight.
Riddick Bowe vs Andrew Golota - 2 fights.
Evander Holyfield vs Ray Mercer
Lennox Lewis vs Ray Mercer
Lennox Lewis vs Tommy Morrison
Lennox Lewis vs Razor Ruddock
Tommy Morrison vs Razor Ruddock

I didn't include Foreman vs Briggs as it was for the lineal title.

That's over 10 pretty decent fights considering there was no belt on the line. These types of fights seem to have completely dried up, however. Since 2000 I can hardly think of any. This isn't so much a question, more just me thinking out loud sort of thing. What decent fights have we had in the 21st century without a belt on the line? Which ones would you like to see from the current crop?

10 fights.... in 17 years..... and as a boxing fan you consider that good?!?! Wow if that’s not an insight on how bad heavyweight boxing is, in so many ways, well then I don’t know what is!

[boxingknockout]

Tyson - Golota? (In terms of importance)

[ElJefe]

Was watching an interview with Hearn the other day in which he described Dillian Whyte vs Lucas Browne as being the best (or biggest, can't remember) fight that could be made outside of the Heavyweight title holders.

Firstly, I'd argue that it's not. It's probably something like Luis Ortiz vs Alexander Povetkin. But still, that Whyte vs Browne could be considered the best non-title HW fight is pretty shocking. Made me think of some good non-title HW fights from yesteryear, specifically the 90s. A quick flick through BoxRec shows the likes of...

Ike Ibeabuchi vs David Tua
Ike Ibeabuchi vs Chris Byrd
David Tua vs John Ruiz
David Tua vs Hasim Rahman
Riddick Bowe vs Evander Holyfield - 3rd fight.
Riddick Bowe vs Andrew Golota - 2 fights.
Evander Holyfield vs Ray Mercer
Lennox Lewis vs Ray Mercer
Lennox Lewis vs Tommy Morrison
Lennox Lewis vs Razor Ruddock
Tommy Morrison vs Razor Ruddock

I didn't include Foreman vs Briggs as it was for the lineal title.

That's over 10 pretty decent fights considering there was no belt on the line. These types of fights seem to have completely dried up, however. Since 2000 I can hardly think of any. This isn't so much a question, more just me thinking out loud sort of thing. What decent fights have we had in the 21st century without a belt on the line? Which ones would you like to see from the current crop?

10 fights.... in 17 years..... and as a boxing fan you consider that good?!?! Wow if that’s not an insight on how bad heavyweight boxing is, in so many ways, well then I don’t know what is!

You misread the post. Those fights are all from the 1990s and as I said, I came up with them after 5 minutes flicking through BoxRec. Plus other people have suggested more. So it's more like 15+ good non-title fights in 10 years.

The point was the lack of those type of fights since 2000.

[Kit]

Haye - Chisora
Rahman - Sanders
Tua - Rahman
Povetkin - Byrd
Toney - Holyfield

[ElJefe]

Haye - Chisora
Rahman - Sanders
Tua - Rahman
Povetkin - Byrd
Toney - Holyfield

Rahman-Sanders is a good one, just sneaks in in May 2000.
Forgot about the 2nd Tua-Rahman fight.
Toney-Holyfield is another good shout, Toney was brilliant that night.

[Heretic]

Fury vs Chisora?

Whyte vs Joshua?

Takam vs Parker?

Pulev vs Thompson?

Ortiz vs Jennings?

And then Povetkin has fought

Hammer
Wach
Charr
Takam


I think those are the best ones we have had recently. At least on paper. Some good fights there too.

[Matt W]

Can chuck in the two Tyson - Ruddock fights to that list, also Holyfield - Dokes.

I know, so were the ones on the list I was referring to.

[TheGman]

Can chuck in the two Tyson - Ruddock fights to that list, also Holyfield - Dokes.

I know, so were the ones on the list I was referring to.

He said non-title heavyweight fights SINCE 2000

[Boxing Writer]

Breazeale vs Ugonoh was probably the most exciting non-title HW fight since November 2000 (Clifford Ettienne vs Lawrence Clay Bay)

[Boxing Writer]

As for biggest ones, I'd say Wlad vs Peter I and Peter vs Toney I and II were the biggest non-title HW fights since 2000

[tobyh5]

Can chuck in the two Tyson - Ruddock fights to that list, also Holyfield - Dokes.

I know, so were the ones on the list I was referring to.

He said non-title heavyweight fights SINCE 2000

I think the chap was suggesting they were ones that could be added to the original list from 1990s, to show that it was even beefier than the OP had suggested.

[forestbox]

Haye v bellew was on ppv and not for a title.

[TheGman]

I know, so were the ones on the list I was referring to.

He said non-title heavyweight fights SINCE 2000

I think the chap was suggesting they were ones that could be added to the original list from 1990s, to show that it was even beefier than the OP had suggested.

Oh ye

[Tom Moore]

Haye v Harrison.

Was for WBA title.

Also wasn't a fight.

[Coco]

Or Audley v Wilder!
Price v Thompson
Fury v Cunningham

[tiny_acres]

Calvin Brock vs Eddie Chambers both were top 5 at the time