Classic fights I've watched recently

[jpspice]

I was off work a few weeks ago and ended up watching some classics from days gone by,most of them I'd already seen numerous times but some not

Ali vs Frazier 1,2+3
Leonard vs Hearns 1+2
Chavez vs Taylor 1+2
Pryor vs Arguello 1+2
Hagler vs Hearns
Marciano vs Walcott 1+2
Foreman vs Lyle
Holmes vs Norton
Gatti vs Ward 1,2+3
Leonard vs Hagler
Corrales vs Castillo 1+2
Armstrong vs Ambers(highlights)
Bowe vs Holyfield 1,2+3
Ali vs Foreman
Zale vs Graziano 3
Louis vs Conn 1+2
Benn vs McClellan
Saddler vs Pep(highlights)
Leonard vs Duran 1,2+3

Next up Holyfield vs Qawi 1+2,I haven't seen either of these yet

You will be in for a treat with those - especially the first fight - an awesome battle - what a warrior Holyfield was.
I have just watched
Bonavena vs Mildenberger
Patterson vs Hurricane Jackson 2
Nigel benn vs Sugar Boy Malinga
Basilio vs art aragon
Ali vs Mildenberger - A UK broadcast

Let us know what you think of the Holy fights

Both good fights I thought for different reasons,the first fight was fought at an incredible pace and was competitive with the tide switching, Great right from Holyfield to finish things in the rematch, Qawi gave it a go but just didn't have it by then it seemed although it was clear Evander had improved

Gatti vs Robinson 1 is a wicked good fight! Robinson handles the much heavier punching Gatti amazingly with wicked combinations and boxing savvy, but not without narrowly escaping Gatti's thunder. Gotta watch it right to the end ! Tonight it's the rematch !

[Ambling Alp II]

Matthew Saad Muhammad vs Marvin Johnson 2

Their first fight was a pure slugfest, the second was about the same. Johnson started as an aggressor, he landed some hard shots, but in the 2nd round Saad had him badly hurt. However, in the 3rd it was Saad, who was rocked by Johnson. After that Matthew became more cautious, he activated himself in the 6th troubling Johnson seriously. At the end of the 7th Marvin was very badly hurt, almost KOed on his feet. He probably was saved by the bell. In the 8th Johnson showed some guts with trying to continue being an aggressor, but then Saad just began swinging with both hands alternately. It was an insane barrage, some punches were clean, some not, but they were coming one after another, Johnson collapsed on the canvas eventually without any will and/or ability to stand up shortly.

I remember watching that fight live on TV. Great fight, with unbelievable action. Both of these guys were so fun to watch. If anyone has not seen this fight, they really should.

[Counter-puncher]

Matthew Saad Muhammad vs Marvin Johnson 2

Their first fight was a pure slugfest, the second was about the same. Johnson started as an aggressor, he landed some hard shots, but in the 2nd round Saad had him badly hurt. However, in the 3rd it was Saad, who was rocked by Johnson. After that Matthew became more cautious, he activated himself in the 6th troubling Johnson seriously. At the end of the 7th Marvin was very badly hurt, almost KOed on his feet. He probably was saved by the bell. In the 8th Johnson showed some guts with trying to continue being an aggressor, but then Saad just began swinging with both hands alternately. It was an insane barrage, some punches were clean, some not, but they were coming one after another, Johnson collapsed on the canvas eventually without any will and/or ability to stand up shortly.

I remember watching that fight live on TV. Great fight, with unbelievable action. Both of these guys were so fun to watch. If anyone has not seen this fight, they really should.

I have only seen one of their fights but I can't remember which. I think its the second one, that was for a world title, whereas the first was for an NABF type belt? the second one is the one that Johnson seems to land about 25 full power left uppercuts?

[handsofstone]

Jake LaMotta vs Marcel Cerdan(highlights)


LaMotta stops Cerdan after 9 rounds to become World Middleweight champ, only 7 minutes available which is a downer as it looked an absolute tear up, both men just slugging away toe to toe with no regard for defense, Cerdan fought most of the fight one handed after injuring his left arm when La Motta threw him to the ground in the 1st, Cerdan couldn't jab but because LaMotta was right in front of him he was able to nail LaMotta time and again with big overhand rights, LaMotta just walked through them though and just battered Cerdan with 2 fisted attacks to head and body, he gave Cerdan a right pounding and Cerdan retired on his stool after the 9th

I'm not usually a fan of old fights, I think a lot of them look messy and crude but I would've loved to have seen this fight in its entirety

[PredatorHayds]

Duran-Buchanan.

Good fight. Buchanan try’s to get his jab off throughout the fight and box Duran. He only manages to succeed a few rounds. Duran gets in his face and shows relentless pressure. Two of the best lightweights of a generation.
Young Duran at Lightweight looked unbeatable at times.
Regardless the final punch was low and late. Ken deserved the rematch.

[Bodyshot3]

Duran-Buchanan.

Good fight. Buchanan try’s to get his jab off throughout the fight and box Duran. He only manages to succeed a few rounds. Duran gets in his face and shows relentless pressure. Two of the best lightweights of a generation.
Young Duran at Lightweight looked unbeatable at times.
Regardless the final punch was low and late. Ken deserved the rematch.

Wish I knew more about Buchanan..........he's a key British ATG who I feel I should appreciate and understand.
I am enjoying Josh Taylor's career right now and Ken B is always referenced and used as a yardstick.

[DrDuke]

Tommy Morrison vs Carl Williams

A one of my most favorite fights. It had already started fast with Morrison scoring a knockdown on the first minute of the fight with his left hook. Williams appeared to be hurt not much. At the end of the round he was hurt more, but recovered for the 2nd. There Carl was busier than Tommy and thus better overall, but Morrison spoiled it a bit by hurting Williams at the end again. Early in the 3rd Williams was coming in, Morrison caught him with a jab, down went Williams, but again he appeared to be not broken. In the 4th Tommy had a break, Carl was trying to establish his game. In the 5th, right in the middle of the round, Williams dropped Morrison twice in a row. It was very dangerous situation for Tommy because of the 3 knockdown rule. The Duke was able to struggle for the bell. Williams punched himdelf out a bit though. The 6th seemed to be a break for both of them, but Morrison tried to force the ending to steal it. The 7th was very intense, both of the fighters looked not so fresh for obvious reasons, both had their moments, it looked like the ending could have appeared in any time. In the 8th Morrison was able to reorganize, he became more active and sharp. Finally Tommy caught Carl with left hook and went for the kill. Battered Williams was sent to the ropes, where the battery continued for him. There was a clinch, Mills Lane separated them, after what Carl looked at Lane and shook his head trying to express a desire to quit, but the ref didn't get the message. Tommy continued punching not answering Williams, Lane stopped the fight. It was a great fight, full of action with no less drama.

[DrDuke]

Gene Tunney vs Jack Dempsey 1

I love this fight along with the second one (which is even loved more due to bigger drama), it was just a beautiful showdown. Tunney totally controlled the action. Dempsey was great in the offence, but Tunney moved perfectly, used his jab well, developed sharp combinations after it. Jack had almost nothing to suggest, the openings were always somewhere else for him. A boxing master-class by Gene.

[handsofstone]

Henry Cooper vs Zora Folley 1(highlights)


Only 7 mins available on youtube but Cooper won a 10 round decision, Folley had him down with a right hand in the 3rd but after that Cooper took over apparently, hard to tell how it played out with only 7 mins to watch, great win for Cooper al the same

Folley KO'd Cooper in 2 rounds in the rematch but its not on youtube

[DrDuke]

Gene Tunney vs Jack Dempsey 2

Tunney was winning this fight comfortably just like the first one. His based on movement style was nightmarish for Dempsey, who was unable to catch the opponent. Until the 7th round, of course. There the engine of Tunney allowed to occur a malfunction, Jack landed right hand hurting Gene with it and forcing him to go back, just to the ropes. Then there was the barrage of Jack's vicious punches, Tunney went down. Gene looked dazed really badly, but he was able to recover fast. And, as we know, with the "long count", which Gene wisely used, Tunney had and opportunity to recover even more. The fight continued, Tunney did a great job of avoiding the danger provided by Dempsey. In the 8th Gene returned Jack a favor, Tunney knocked Dempsey down with a one-two. Dempsey wasn't much hurt, he stood up immediately. But Tunney controlled the fight to its end, he eventually scored the second victory over Dempsey.

[handsofstone]

Joe Bugner vs Henry Cooper


Bugner outpoints Cooper over 15 to win the British, Commonwealth and European Heavyweight titles, all I knew about this fight was that Cooper was so disgusted with the refs decision to award the fight to Bugner that he retired and never spoke the ref for about 30 years, what I didn't know was that the fight was so shite that neither guy had any real claims of a robbery, i'd say Cooper maybe did nick it, purely on the fact that he won the big rounds and closed the fight strong in the last 5 rounds when Bugner looked gassed

Before that it was nip/tuck all the way and really just a jab off between the 2 men, their jabs were excellent to be fair, strong and accurate with both guys doubling and tripling it up, Bugner must've let his right hand go twice in 15 rounds and Cooper wasn't much better and his left hook wasn't thrown much

I can understand slightly Cooper being angry with the decision as he was the one who went through the gears down the stretch but the first 10 rounds or so were that poor that who knows how the ref had it at that point

Bugner gets the win, great jab but too cautious and faded late on

[Bodyshot3]

Joe Bugner vs Henry Cooper


Bugner outpoints Cooper over 15 to win the British, Commonwealth and European Heavyweight titles, all I knew about this fight was that Cooper was so disgusted with the refs decision to award the fight to Bugner that he retired and never spoke the ref for about 30 years, what I didn't know was that the fight was so shite that neither guy had any real claims of a robbery, i'd say Cooper maybe did nick it, purely on the fact that he won the big rounds and closed the fight strong in the last 5 rounds when Bugner looked gassed

Before that it was nip/tuck all the way and really just a jab off between the 2 men, their jabs were excellent to be fair, strong and accurate with both guys doubling and tripling it up, Bugner must've let his right hand go twice in 15 rounds and Cooper wasn't much better and his left hook wasn't thrown much

I can understand slightly Cooper being angry with the decision as he was the one who went through the gears down the stretch but the first 10 rounds or so were that poor that who knows how the ref had it at that point

Bugner gets the win, great jab but too cautious and faded late on

Pleased these two buried the hatchet years later ..........it was unfair on a very young Joe to be cast as the bad guy because Henry was so popular with the press and public and had got the hump with the result and did not like Joe much.

Harry Gibbs was the man who made the call, Bugner just did his best to win the fight.

It is huge a cliche but whenever Bugner is mentioned the same 'what if' crops up........the bloke had absolutely everything other than the one hook, uppercut or overhand that could at the very least rattle the division's best men.

He did not even need real, pure KO power........just a spiteful shot that got folk to back off, buzz them a bit and catch the eye of the judges in a close and crucial round.

As a very young fan I saw Bugner climb into the ring with Bruno.........and have watched the fight several times over......and still think that prime Bugner (even without any notable dig) might have handled Bruno.

[Ambling Alp II]

He would probably have beaten Bruno.

[Bodyshot3]

He would probably have beaten Bruno.

You can definitely make a case for Bugner...........

..........good defence, excellent chin, a sharp and accurate points-scoring jab and in his prime plenty big and strong enough not to get bullied by Bruno and actually able to shove Frank around once in a while. or stiffle his best work.

Bugner on points - potentially winning ugly and frustrating Bruno - is actually a credible outcome.

[DrDuke]

James Braddock vs Max Baer

A one of the most famous examples of an underestimation with the following failure. Baer wasn't able to suggest anything in that fight. The biggest things he did were dazing Braddock a little bit with some good shots in the 7th and the 15th rounds. The other time he was blowing that bout without much desperation, fighting in his trademark swagger style. Braddock had taken it confidently.

[handsofstone]

James Braddock vs Max Baer

A one of the most famous examples of an underestimation with the following failure. Baer wasn't able to suggest anything in that fight. The biggest things he did were dazing Braddock a little bit with some good shots in the 7th and the 15th rounds. The other time he was blowing that bout without much desperation, fighting in his trademark swagger style. Braddock had taken it confidently.

Very poor performance from Baer, I wouldn't say I enjoyed the fight but Braddock the deserved winner

[handsofstone]

Carlos Monzon vs Emile Griffith 1+2


Monzon stops Griffith in the 14th round of the first fight to retain his Middleweight titles, enjoyable fight, the first 7 rounds or so were close, Monzon getting his jab off and occasionally coming over the top with the right hand, Griffith's jab was sound too, and he would spring into lead left hooks or lead right hands, Monzon pulled away in the second half, the ending was a surprise though, he opened Griffith up in the 14th, letting both hands go, Griffith was hurt but found himself trapping Monzon in the corner where Monzon spun him off and trapped Griffith in there where he clubbed him into the stoppage, Griffith was stood hunched over out on his feet when the ref stepped in


Monzon wins a close decision in the rematch, wasn't a classic TBF, no one hurt, no real drama whatsoever, Monzon done a good job of keeping Griffith at the end of that long jab, he scored with it and he kept Griffith on the outside which was important as Griffith was still pretty dangerous with single shots, he did tag Monzon now and again but Monzon would always come back firing, usually with 1/2s and right uppercuts to the body, close fight though, a better effort from Griffith this time around

[DrDuke]

Tommy Morrison vs Yuri Vaulin

A great fight. Vaulin appeared to be a tough fella. He was a tall southpaw, he was moving and jabbing so well in the 1st round. Morrison landed some good right hands there, just like it was needed against the southpaws, but Tommy's right knuckle was said to be injured, so Morrison concentrated on his trademark left hook. But those left hooks were whistling near Vaulin's head for the most of the cases. In the 2nd Yuri bagan to connect more complex combinations. In the 3rd he wobbled Morrison with sharp prolonged left cross - right cross combo. In the 4th Morrison began to work to Vaulin's body more, what was wise with a taller opponent. In the 5th, however, Morrison landed hard left hook to the head of Vaulin, who had made a mistake by slowing down and standing in front of Tommy. The Duke smelled the blood and pushed forward. Suddenly Morrison connected great left hook to Vaulin's liver. Yuri was very hurt, he struggled with terrible pain in order to continue the fight. Shortly after Tommy landed monstrous left hand to Vaulin's stomach, a bit lower from the solar plexus, Vaulin was hurt so much, that he was turning his back with the grimace of pain on the face. Steve Smoger stopped the fight.

[Bodyshot3]

Benn v Wharton
Earls Court, London 1994.
Benn UD 12 Rounds
WBC World Super Middleweight Title

I was a big Benn fan but also liked the upcoming Wharton a great deal.

The fight was perhaps one of the most mouthwatering SMW fights in the UK outside of the well-known the Benn/Watson/Eubank rivalry which raged across MW and SMW divs.

Wharton was a hard hitter, seriously strong at the weight, excellent chin (never stopped) and if I remember correctly the late Mickey Duff felt very confident that the Yorkshireman was primed to gatecrash the Big Three.

The fight itself had all the makings of being explosive with both men having plenty of power and not being afraid to use it but against all the odds Benn is canny and controlled and uses a good deal of movement to keep Wharton at a safe distance.

A very patient fight from Benn (he could do it) and Wharton despite the odd power shot and never being in too much danger himself never manages to go up through the gears and find a way to force Benn to have a firefight.

I expect the fight gets overlooked because it was the war that never happened.......but a good, rare example of Benn boxing smart and effectively nullifying a very powerful, rugged young guy who would have liked to test his chin in a tear-up.

[handsofstone]

Carlos Monzon vs Bennie Briscoe 2


Monzon wins a wide 15 round decision to retain his title, it was comfortable in the way that Monzon boxed very well and he had to against the bull like Briscoe who just never stops ploughing forward, Monzon was able keep Briscoe on the outside of the jab and pepper him with right hands and left hook, Monzon also uses the uppercuts well for a tall guy, he was pretty accurate whether leading or countering and was able to catch Briscoe coming in time and again, Briscoe did rock Monzon badly with a big overhand right in the 9th but Monzon managed to recover and took over again the following round

Really brave effort from Brsicoe he's one tough cookie and every bit as strong as i'd imagined, I do think Monzon hurt him a couple times late on but he's a tough SOB so never looked like being stopped as Monzon boxed to the decision

Monzon is so methodical and calm in his approach, very conventional, doesn't do anything explosive but he's the best ive seen at doing the basics, very effective, just shows you dont need every trick in the book to be a long reigning champ

The first fight isn't available, it was before Monzon was champ and it ended in a draw

[DrDuke]

Buster Douglas vs Jesse Ferguson

An excellent competetive fight full of action. A close one, but I've seen Douglas still winning clearly, he was robbed. Ferguson had his best moments in the 1st and 6th rounds. In the 1st he rocked Douglas a bit early, but he blew the round, Douglas landed superb uppercut on the last seconds. If it was earlier, Ferguson could have been finished, he appeared to be hurt much. Buster was controlling the vast majority of the action with his jab. He was hurt pretty much in the 6th and appeared to be worse after that moment, but still not worse, than Jesse. In the final 9th and 10th Douglas was tired and was trying to tie Ferguson much and to overpower him inside. But Ferguson did nothing special to pull out a victory then.

[DrDuke]

Buster Douglas vs Mike Tyson

I absolutely love this fight and rate in among the very best in the reach history of boxing. A remarkable performance by Douglas based on excellent movement, jab and variable combinations. A courageous performance with not giving a damn about being a huge underdog in a fight against an undefeated reigning champion. And, by the way, I never understood all the long count excuses, cause Douglas not only was listening to the count, so he could get up by the end of it in any case, but also the knockdown was right before the bell, so Tyson wouldn't be able to go for the kill anyway. The most dramatic fight featuring Tyson for sure.

[handsofstone]

Carlos Monzon vs Jose Napoles


Monzon wins via TKO after world Welterweight champ Napoles retires on his stool after 6 rounds, sterling effort from Napoles he was able to make Monzon pay for his notorious slow starting and he had no issues getting through the long leavers of Monzon, he was a lot slicker than him and he was able to catch him with jabs and leads, Monzon as ever jabbed away but he wasn't busy enough early doors

Its was in the 5th Monzon finally started to go up a gear just as Napoles was having success, he started nailing Napoles with the right hand and following it up with the left, Napoles couldn't get out of the way of any of them and done amazingly well to make it out the round, same thing happened in the 6th where Monzon opened Napoles up but he wouldn't go down, he even tried to fight back but he was feeling the heavy blows of Monzon who's accuracy was immense, somehow Napoles made it to the end of the round without going down but that was him done for the night, Monzon was just too big a mountain to climb

[veganin]

Classic Fights yet no Manny Paacquiao probably one of the best P 4 P boxers in the sports history. Thats sad you could not find a classic Pacquiao fight. I guess its all matter of opinion.

[gilgamesh]

Classic Fights yet no Manny Paacquiao probably one of the best P 4 P boxers in the sports history. Thats sad you could not find a classic Pacquiao fight. I guess its all matter of opinion.

I'm sure there are classic Pacquiao fights to be found, but that's not the point of this thread. The point is simply which Classic Bout have you watched most recently. Boxing aficionados tend to dig deeper than the recent past.