10 greatest match-ups.

[APerno]

I noticed someone suggested a fantasy fight between Gerry Cooney vs. Joe Bugner; are we not starting to scrap the bottom of the barrel here? Not only do I have no clue who would win such a fight, I wouldn't pay to see it.

But this got me thinking, what are the greatest match-ups I would like to see (regardless of who would win)?

If I could get my hands on Mr. Peabody's wayback machine these are the ten match-ups I would love to sit ringside at (fornicate that, I want to sit on the apron.)

Everyone at their best (of course).

10. Cassius Clay vs. Gene Tunney **
9. Roberto Duran vs. Barney Ross
8. Ruby Rob Fitzsimmons vs. Carlos Monzon
7. Manny Pacquiao vs. Henry Armstrong
6. Roy Jones Jr. vs. Billy Conn
5. Joe Louis vs. Joe Frazier
4. Willie Pep vs. Eder Jofre
3. Marvin Hagler vs. Harry Greb
2. Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Sugar Ray Robinson
1. Rocky Marciano vs. Jack Dempsey


** I say Clay because I would want it to be the 1965 version of Muhammad Ali.

[Bodyshot3]

Haye v Holyfield at cruiser appeals.

[oogiebe]

Holyfield vs Frazier would be dazzling.

[elmersalsa]

Holyfield vs Frazier would be dazzling.

It would have been a bloody, bloody war. I picture them fighting at a terrific pace in a toe to toe all time warfare/slugfest. A battle of wills. None of the two are known for quitting or wilting. It will be the "Battle of Heart, Will and Determination".

Joe Frazier wins by technical knockout in the 13th round. He will have some bruises in his face of a long battle. I picture Evander Holyfield's face as total mess after the war. The Real Deal sometimes used to get hit unnecessary at times, when in reality, he didn't had to. But his warrior's mentality was always there to fight all out no matter what.

Just thinking about those wicked left hooks of Smokin'Joe's to Evander's face. It gives me chills! Buuuurrrrrr!

[Nile4000]

Floyd vs Henry Armstrong and Camacho vs Shane Mosely as well.

[Onetimeonly]

Camacho/Mosley could be dreadful.

[writehooks]

Maybe not the "greatest" matchups, but the ones I would most want to witness ...
10. Jimmy McLarnin vs Pernell Whitaker
9. Archie Moore vs Michael Spinks
8. George Dixon vs Willie Pep
7. Roberto Duran vs Joe Gans
6. Roberto Duran vs Benny Leonard
5. Sonny Liston vs George Chuvalo
4. Sonny Liston vs George Foreman
3. Jack Johnson vs Luther McCarty
2. Marvin Hagler vs Carlos Monzon
1. Muhammad Ali vs Joe Louis

[Nile4000]

Camacho/Mosley could be dreadful.

Maybe, but if Camacho was on point especially, could be a thriller.

[Onetimeonly]

Maybe, but if Camacho was on point especially, could be a thriller.

Can't see that. One punch from Shane would have him running all night.

[Nile4000]

Can't see that. One punch from Shane would have him running all night.

Prime Camacho? Shane's not Edwin Rosario.

[Onetimeonly]

Prime Camacho? Shane's not Edwin Rosario.

Shane's better and hit harder than Rosario. I'm not saying Hector couldn't win, but if he did it would be a terrible fight. Too each their own, this wouldn't crack my top 1000 match ups.

[Woldemar]

Evander Holyfield vs Joe Frazier
Ruben Olivares vs Carlos Zarate
Khaosai vs Sung Kil Moon
Lennox Lewis vs Joe Louis
Riddick Bowe vs Mike Tyson
Sugar Ray Leonard vs Sugar Ray Robinson
Manny Pacquiao vs Aaron Pryor
MAB vs Wilfredo Gomez
Alexis Arguello vs Azumah Nelson
Larry Holmes vs George Foreman

[tiny_acres]

Can't see that. One punch from Shane would have him running all night.

Shane was a freaking beast at 135

[Ambling Alp II]

Evander Holyfield vs Joe Frazier
Ruben Olivares vs Carlos Zarate
Khaosai vs Sung Kil Moon
Lennox Lewis vs Joe Louis
Riddick Bowe vs Mike Tyson
Sugar Ray Leonard vs Sugar Ray Robinson
Manny Pacquiao vs Aaron Pryor
MAB vs Wilfredo Gomez
Alexis Arguello vs Azumah Nelson
Larry Holmes vs George Foreman

Some great matches here. Would have loved to see any of these.
There are some great ones at light heavy. To name a few:
Bob Foster-Archie Moore
Gene Tunney-Michael Spinks
Sam Langford-Ezzard Charles

[oogiebe]

Some great matches here. Would have loved to see any of these.
There are some great ones at light heavy. To name a few:
Bob Foster-Archie Moore
Gene Tunney-Michael Spinks
Sam Langford-Ezzard Charles

Nice!

[Nile4000]

Lennox Lewis vs Bonecrusher Smith
Marvin Johnson vs Roy Jones Jr.
Bennie Briscoe vs Archie Moore
Kid Gavilan vs Mike McCallum
Ray Mancini vs Gato Gonzalez.

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

Maybe not the "greatest" matchups, but the ones I would most want to witness ...

3. Jack Johnson vs Luther McCarty
2. Marvin Hagler vs Carlos Monzon
1. Muhammad Ali vs Joe Louis

- Some great choices bookending the same general era are the most relevant of great proposed matches.

McCarty vs Johnson was near a done deal, ie:

""Luther McCarty Willing To Meet Johnson

White Champion Ready To Face The Black Title Holder

Johnson’s statement that he would fight Luther McCarty of Nebraska, white champion of the world, providing he could get permission from Judge Carpenter’s jurisdiction of the court…

Johnson’s proffer of a fight was immediately transmitted to Billy McCarney, manager of Luther McCarty, the white champion, who is training in Calgary, Alberta, for his match there on May 24, with Arthur Pelkey of New England, for the white heavyweight title.

“McCarty has signed for no battles after May 24…he would gladly declare everything except this Pelkey match off on the spot if assured a meeting with Johnson. Further, I want to say that right now McCarty is Johnson’s master, and would beat him sure.”

-Milwaukee Free Press. May 17, 1913""

Here’s a publicity photo taken before the Pelkey fight showing the still maturing 6-4 Luke in the absolute pink of condition. He was only 21, a wealthy man holding the White title already beaten more impressively Johnson's common opponents with the world being his oyster.



Alas, as any epic Greek tragedy, his strength was conversely his weakness as a wild and woolly cowboy who took off for the Rockies on his horse for some hunting and fishing in the middle of training for Pelkey. Speculation was he was thrown off his horse in rugged high altitude conditions and may have been knocked unconscious. He wasn't near right for Pelkey and literally fainted dead away at the start of the fight leaving a young daughter and wife thankfully well endowed by his earnings in a tough era for that vulnerable demographic. The Tommy Burns arena was burnt down the next day and Pelkey arrested and charged with manslaughter. He was acquitted, but never the same and died tragically later.

*Hagler's debut coincided with Monzon's retirement. A few years overlap may have found the young Hagler hungry for the grizzled old vet still dangerous. Always picked Monzon prime to prime.

*Louis and Ali both adamant they could beat each other, but it was only borne out of Joe's defense in response to Ali's disrespecting braggadocio. Always picked Louis prime to prime.

*BTW, old George vs Lar was signed a couple of times as I recall, but the promoter couldn't make Georges guarantee because Lar simply had nothing to offer fans. Especially after getting knocked down and humiliated by Butterbean. Lar was never a ranked fighter when George was fighting, so they otherwise couldn't meet on fair terms.

*My picks are bookended by shared eras, Dempsey vs Louis that might have happened after Dempsey toured the US doing all comers 4rd exhibitions in the early 30s. He was trying to get a feel of making a comeback and would've soon been matched with Joe who woulda been a touted prospect, potentially a great fight.

*Ali was bookended by the Tyson era where both quickly put together perfect 10-0 title records. Always favor Tyson because of the dubious nature of the Liston fights and poor competition overall then by Ali..

Good topic

[elmersalsa]

Holyfield vs Frazier would be dazzling.

It would be also a replay of Evander Holyfield vs Dwight Muhammad Qawi fight # 1, but this time, Smokin'Joe Frazier winning. Same fight, different outcome. This time by knockout. Frazier wins in round 13th by technical knockout. Holyfield's face is a mess. Almost both of his eyes shut. Thanks to Frazier's damaging left hooks.