Classic fights I've watched recently

[oogiebe]

We forget about that fight way too often. It was a statement by Real Deal, no doubt.

Yes, Holyfield had an excellent game-plan and no worse realisation of it. He wisely found the correct distance for landing on southpaw Michael. After the first knockdown Evander wisely again chose a deceptive break. Great strategy, great display of skills.
[/quote]

We tend to forget Holyfield's master use of space in his fights. I think that dictated more of his approach than anything. Great points!!!!!

[hhaehre]

Holyfield vs Moorer 2

It was a big exclamation mark in this rivalry. However, the first fight could have gone in a similar way, if Holyfield wasn't injured. Btw, I still find that decision for Moorer disputable. So, the rematch. Holyfield began aggressively, he was dictating the pace, but Moorer wasn't backing up, he could have stolen the round eventually by countering Holyfield's left hook with his right hook, what had troubled Evander. The 2nd round it was in the same fashion, the fight was close. In the 3rd Holyfield cornered Moorer, landed some good shots. They had been broken up to check Holyfield's face, as there had been a head-clash during that exchange. The stoppage could have helped Moorer. In the 4th it still was all the same fight, Evander could have won the round with catching Michael on the ropes at the final seconds. Closer to the finish of the 5th there was an exchange, Evander landed a great right uppercut - left hook - right cross combination sending Moorer down. After that big round Evander took a break in the 6th, which continued in the 7th. But then Holyfield landed a combo being almost at the ropes, it did't look very hard, but there were precise punches, Moorer was staggered. Then the battering of Moorer had begun, he was floored for two times in the 7th. Holyfield started the 8th not so fast again with another awakening closer to the end of the round. Moorer was down for another two times then. He was up, but after the round the fight was stopped. It was fair.

We forget about that fight way too often. It was a statement by Real Deal, no doubt.

Yes, Holyfield had an excellent game-plan and no worse realisation of it. He wisely found the correct distance for landing on southpaw Michael. After the first knockdown Evander wisely again chose a deceptive break. Great strategy, great display of skills.

I always thought Holy had major problems with Moorer and clearly lost the first fight. In the second fight Evander was in much better shape stamina wise, but still I thought he was losing whenever he wasn't bouncing Moorer off the canvas. A fresher Holyfield basically imposed himself on Moorer, but he sure ate a lot of jabs and counters in the process.

[handsofstone]

Oliver McCall vs Larry Holmes


McCall wins a close points decision to retain his title, very close fight and very dull, I wouldn't have argued with a draw or even Holmes edging it, for the first 8 rounds not much happened, Holmes spent a lot of time in the corner beckoning McCall in and he was told off a few times for keeping one hand on the ropes, neither guy was doing much throwing but it was Holmes who looked like he was dictating things as he was 45 and the slow pace was suiting him

McCall was poor until the 9th when he finally opened Holmes up on the ropes and caught him with some big right hands which caught Holmes around the guard, McCall never pressed hard enough in the following rounds and even though he was nicking them as Holmes gassed, things quietened down again and McCall seen it out to nick the win

[oogiebe]

Oliver McCall vs Larry Holmes


McCall wins a close points decision to retain his title, very close fight and very dull, I wouldn't have argued with a draw or even Holmes edging it, for the first 8 rounds not much happened, Holmes spent a lot of time in the corner beckoning McCall in and he was told off a few times for keeping one hand on the ropes, neither guy was doing much throwing but it was Holmes who looked like he was dictating things as he was 45 and the slow pace was suiting him

McCall was poor until the 9th when he finally opened Holmes up on the ropes and caught him with some big right hands which caught Holmes around the guard, McCall never pressed hard enough in the following rounds and even though he was nicking them as Holmes gassed, things quietened down again and McCall seen it out to nick the win

I may watch this tonight for sh#ts and giggles. I don't remember it much.

[handsofstone]

Oliver McCall vs Larry Holmes


McCall wins a close points decision to retain his title, very close fight and very dull, I wouldn't have argued with a draw or even Holmes edging it, for the first 8 rounds not much happened, Holmes spent a lot of time in the corner beckoning McCall in and he was told off a few times for keeping one hand on the ropes, neither guy was doing much throwing but it was Holmes who looked like he was dictating things as he was 45 and the slow pace was suiting him

McCall was poor until the 9th when he finally opened Holmes up on the ropes and caught him with some big right hands which caught Holmes around the guard, McCall never pressed hard enough in the following rounds and even though he was nicking them as Holmes gassed, things quietened down again and McCall seen it out to nick the win

I may watch this tonight for sh#ts and giggles. I don't remember it much.

I doubt i'll remember much by tomorrow morning either mate

[DrDuke]

Tommy Morrison vs Donovan Ruddock

My favorite fight. Both was considered to be past prime, Ruddock was rusted and overweighted, Morrison showed declining after Bentt loss, but the fight was spectacular, a classic brawl from the 90s. Ruddock started with pressuring Morrison, but not punching much, Tommy was moving and jabbing. Very early there was a clinch, Morrison made a mistake by bowing forward a bit, Donovan placed a right uppercut scoring a knockdown. Morrison wasn't hurt much, he got up, the fight continued in the original fashion. In the 2nd round Morrison scored a good left to the body - right to the body - right uppercut to the head - left hook to the head combination. Tommy tried it again later, Ruddock was hurt by the uppercut, the ropes saved him from falling, the ref fixed a knockdown. The 3rd seemed like a break, the overall picture of the fight was the same. As in the 4th. But Tommy had a good flurry in that round's end, however, he was missing more, than landing, allowing Ruddock to show off a bit. In the 5th Donovan was pressuring with more punches, he made a couple of decent flurries taking that round. In the 6th Ruddock tried another flurry, Morrison covered well and landed a perfect left hook between Ruddock's punches. Ruddock went down hard, but was able somehow to get up. Morrison tried to finish him with wild spurting. At one moment Ruddock was on the ropes covering good, but not answering. The ref controversially stopped the action to make a standing 8-count. After that Morrison countinued desperate attempts of finishing Ruddock despite being tireing up. At another moment Ruddock was again covering without answering, he took a one of Morrison punches noticeably, the ref stopped the fight not without a controversy.

P.S. The announcers on the Premier Sports version of broadcasting were amusing. It was Bert Sugar with some other guy (if somebody know who, please, tell). After the 2nd round Sugar noticed, that the knockdown exchange was initiated by uppercuts, the other guy responded to that: "We've expected hookers", Sugar responded: "Watch your language!". And when Morrison dropped Ruddock with the left hook, the other guy exclaimed: "Sh#t!".

[oogiebe]

Oliver McCall vs Larry Holmes


McCall wins a close points decision to retain his title, very close fight and very dull, I wouldn't have argued with a draw or even Holmes edging it, for the first 8 rounds not much happened, Holmes spent a lot of time in the corner beckoning McCall in and he was told off a few times for keeping one hand on the ropes, neither guy was doing much throwing but it was Holmes who looked like he was dictating things as he was 45 and the slow pace was suiting him

McCall was poor until the 9th when he finally opened Holmes up on the ropes and caught him with some big right hands which caught Holmes around the guard, McCall never pressed hard enough in the following rounds and even though he was nicking them as Holmes gassed, things quietened down again and McCall seen it out to nick the win

I may watch this tonight for sh#ts and giggles. I don't remember it much.

I doubt i'll remember much by tomorrow morning either mate

Ditto!!!!! LMAO!

[oogiebe]

Tommy Morrison vs Donovan Ruddock

My favorite fight. Both was considered to be past prime, Ruddock was rusted and overweighted, Morrison showed declining after Bentt loss, but the fight was spectacular, a classic brawl from the 90s. Ruddock started with pressuring Morrison, but not punching much, Tommy was moving and jabbing. Very early there was a clinch, Morrison made a mistake by bowing forward a bit, Donovan placed a right uppercut scoring a knockdown. Morrison wasn't hurt much, he got up, the fight continued in the original fashion. In the 2nd round Morrison scored a good left to the body - right to the body - right uppercut to the head - left hook to the head combination. Tommy tried it again later, Ruddock was hurt by the uppercut, the ropes saved him from falling, the ref fixed a knockdown. The 3rd seemed like a break, the overall picture of the fight was the same. As in the 4th. But Tommy had a good flurry in that round's end, however, he was missing more, than landing, allowing Ruddock to show off a bit. In the 5th Donovan was pressuring with more punches, he made a couple of decent flurries taking that round. In the 6th Ruddock tried another flurry, Morrison covered well and landed a perfect left hook between Ruddock's punches. Ruddock went down hard, but was able somehow to get up. Morrison tried to finish him with wild spurting. At one moment Ruddock was on the ropes covering good, but not answering. The ref controversially stopped the action to make a standing 8-count. After that Morrison countinued desperate attempts of finishing Ruddock despite being tireing up. At another moment Ruddock was again covering without answering, he took a one of Morrison punches noticeably, the ref stopped the fight not without a controversy.

P.S. The announcers on the Premier Sports version of broadcasting were amusing. It was Bert Sugar with some other guy (if somebody know who, please, tell). After the 2nd round Sugar noticed, that the knockdown exchange was initiated by uppercuts, the other guy responded to that: "We've expected hookers", Sugar responded: "Watch your language!". And when Morrison dropped Ruddock with the left hook, the other guy exclaimed: "Sh#t!".

One of the or the most brutal ko I've ever seen! Slow ref could've gotten Morrison killed!

[DrDuke]

One of the or the most brutal ko I've ever seen! Slow ref could've gotten Morrison killed!

You mean Morrison vs Mercer? Yeah, it was a brutal KO with the very late stoppage. But that fight I don't like to rewatch, as I'm a big fan of Tommy.

[oogiebe]

One of the or the most brutal ko I've ever seen! Slow ref could've gotten Morrison killed!

You mean Morrison vs Mercer? Yeah, it was a brutal KO with the very late stoppage. But that fight I don't like to rewatch, as I'm a big fan of Tommy.

Yup...going too fast. Although Morrison's left hook from nowhere was pretty brutal too! whoopsie...

[handsofstone]

One of the or the most brutal ko I've ever seen! Slow ref could've gotten Morrison killed!

You mean Morrison vs Mercer? Yeah, it was a brutal KO with the very late stoppage. But that fight I don't like to rewatch, as I'm a big fan of Tommy.

Ive not watched many Morrison fights in full, but I did watch his win over Foreman not too long ago, excellent performance, he schooled Big George like no other

[DrDuke]

One of the or the most brutal ko I've ever seen! Slow ref could've gotten Morrison killed!

You mean Morrison vs Mercer? Yeah, it was a brutal KO with the very late stoppage. But that fight I don't like to rewatch, as I'm a big fan of Tommy.

Ive not watched many Morrison fights in full, but I did watch his win over Foreman not too long ago, excellent performance, he schooled Big George like no other

You're right, it was a perfectly executed rational display of boxing skills by Morrison. And if you didn't watch Morrison's fights against Carl Williams, Joe Hipp and Donovan Ruddock, I should say, they are worthy to be watched, because they were competetive, intense and dramatic.

[handsofstone]

You mean Morrison vs Mercer? Yeah, it was a brutal KO with the very late stoppage. But that fight I don't like to rewatch, as I'm a big fan of Tommy.

Ive not watched many Morrison fights in full, but I did watch his win over Foreman not too long ago, excellent performance, he schooled Big George like no other

You're right, it was a perfectly executed rational display of boxing skills by Morrison. And if you didn't watch Morrison's fights against Carl Williams, Joe Hipp and Donovan Ruddock, I should say, they are worthy to be watched, because they were competetive, intense and dramatic.

Nice one mate i'll be sure to check them out

[hhaehre]

Ive not watched many Morrison fights in full, but I did watch his win over Foreman not too long ago, excellent performance, he schooled Big George like no other

You're right, it was a perfectly executed rational display of boxing skills by Morrison. And if you didn't watch Morrison's fights against Carl Williams, Joe Hipp and Donovan Ruddock, I should say, they are worthy to be watched, because they were competetive, intense and dramatic.

Nice one mate i'll be sure to check them out

The Hipp fight is great, a forgotten classic. Neither guy was quite championship level, but that fight had it all.

[PredatorHayds]

Watched both Patterson-Johansson fights.

Ingemar wins the first. Started with a huge right hand.
Floyd started well but it was obvious he was lining up his right hand. Not Floyds finest moment.

Floyd scored one of the best Knockouts of all time to be the first man to reclaim the Heavyweight crown.
Floyd controlled the distance, got inside and didn’t allow Ingemar dictate the pace.
He lands a left hook from Hell to leave the loveable Swede spark out with his foot twitching.

As soon as the count reaches 10. Floyd appears to try and put Ingemar on his side and avoids a celebration. Classy guy Floyd both sides of the ropes.

[DrDuke]

Watched both Patterson-Johansson fights.

Ingemar wins the first. Started with a huge right hand.
Floyd started well but it was obvious he was lining up his right hand. Not Floyds finest moment.

Floyd scored one of the best Knockouts of all time to be the first man to reclaim the Heavyweight crown.
Floyd controlled the distance, got inside and didn’t allow Ingemar dictate the pace.
He lands a left hook from Hell to leave the loveable Swede spark out with his foot twitching.

As soon as the count reaches 10. Floyd appears to try and put Ingemar on his side and avoids a celebration. Classy guy Floyd both sides of the ropes.

It's a trilogy. The 3rd fight is no less interesting.

[PredatorHayds]

Watched both Patterson-Johansson fights.

Ingemar wins the first. Started with a huge right hand.
Floyd started well but it was obvious he was lining up his right hand. Not Floyds finest moment.

Floyd scored one of the best Knockouts of all time to be the first man to reclaim the Heavyweight crown.
Floyd controlled the distance, got inside and didn’t allow Ingemar dictate the pace.
He lands a left hook from Hell to leave the loveable Swede spark out with his foot twitching.

As soon as the count reaches 10. Floyd appears to try and put Ingemar on his side and avoids a celebration. Classy guy Floyd both sides of the ropes.

It's a trilogy. The 3rd fight is no less interesting.

I had it set up to play last night, when my son decided to wake up.
Hopefully get a chance next couple of days.

[oogiebe]

Watched both Patterson-Johansson fights.

Ingemar wins the first. Started with a huge right hand.
Floyd started well but it was obvious he was lining up his right hand. Not Floyds finest moment.

Floyd scored one of the best Knockouts of all time to be the first man to reclaim the Heavyweight crown.
Floyd controlled the distance, got inside and didn’t allow Ingemar dictate the pace.
He lands a left hook from Hell to leave the loveable Swede spark out with his foot twitching.

As soon as the count reaches 10. Floyd appears to try and put Ingemar on his side and avoids a celebration. Classy guy Floyd both sides of the ropes.

It's a trilogy. The 3rd fight is no less interesting.

I had it set up to play last night, when my son decided to wake up.
Hopefully get a chance next couple of days.

Kids!!!! Bah! I have a 9 and 11 year old and so I completely understand!!!!

[handsofstone]

Brian Nielsen vs Larry Holmes


Nielsen wins a close SD, this was in 1997 so as expected it wasn't vintage Holmes but he still could've edged it, when things were on the outside it was his fight, the jab as ever was a major factor and he always had the quality, when Nielsen roughed him up it was his fight, Nielsen was probably just that bit busier and he was able to rough Holmes up sometimes by just letting both hands go, there wasn't much thought in his work though and I probably would've gave it to Holmes

Not a classic but Holmes jab was textbook

[Abradolf Lincler]

Lotta Heavyweight fans in this thread.

[handsofstone]

Larry Holmes vs Eric "Butterbean" Esch


52 year old Holmes gets up from a last round KD to win a comfortable 10 round decision over Butterbean in the last fight of his career, dreadful fight as expected not a lot of punches thrown by either man but Holmes was by far the better boxer, just pushing out that jab and occasionally coming over the top with the right hand, Butterbean just walked forward not throwing apart from the odd windmill which TBF caught Holmes a couple of times in the first couple of rounds

After that it was all Holmes until Butterbean caught him with a left hook in the last round which sent Holmes crashing into the ropes, the cornerpost kept him up but he would've went down, it looked more of a stumble really, didn't matter as Holmes was so far in front

[handsofstone]

Joey Maxim vs Floyd Patterson


Former LHW champ Maxim outpoints up and coming HW contender Patterson over 8 rounds, I thought Patterson should've got it, I was surprised to see all 3 judges scoring it for Maxim, he did have his moments in the second half of the fight and he looked bigger and stronger than Patterson but I thought Patterson outscored him,, the peek a boo style then bursting into fast flurries which Maxim struggled to avoid, the 7-1 score for Maxim especially was a disgrace

[PredatorHayds]

Finally saw Patterson-Johansson 3.

Starts off at a Hagler-Hearns pace. Both men down.
Johansson threw his right hand more.
Patterson showed good variety in his punches before he prevailed in 6.

Cosell asked Patterson after the fight if Liston is next. Patterson’s answer was if he’s the best Heavyweight in the world he deserves to be champion.

In my recent binge of Floyd Patterson he comes across as an absolute class act outside the ring.

[oogiebe]

Finally saw Patterson-Johansson 3.

Starts off at a Hagler-Hearns pace. Both men down.
Johansson threw his right hand more.
Patterson showed good variety in his punches before he prevailed in 6.

Cosell asked Patterson after the fight if Liston is next. Patterson’s answer was if he’s the best Heavyweight in the world he deserves to be champion.

In my recent binge of Floyd Patterson he comes across as an absolute class act outside the ring.

He may be one of the more popular HW champs because he was such a gentlemen outside the ring. He was loved.

[DrDuke]

Finally saw Patterson-Johansson 3.

Starts off at a Hagler-Hearns pace. Both men down.
Johansson threw his right hand more.
Patterson showed good variety in his punches before he prevailed in 6.

Cosell asked Patterson after the fight if Liston is next. Patterson’s answer was if he’s the best Heavyweight in the world he deserves to be champion.

In my recent binge of Floyd Patterson he comes across as an absolute class act outside the ring.

Patterson was class indeed. That was him, who accepted the Liston fight like a man contrary to his camp's opinion, even though he wasn't able to suggest anything in their fight eventually. But he had the guts to make this fight, he was against using Liston's reputation as an argument of not allowing Liston for the championship fight. Floyd also supported Sonny after the Ali loss.