The heavyyweight fight of the 20th century

[pundit]

Inspired by the other thread.

[pundit]

Bump.

[JC]

Very hard to pick as gloved heavyweight boxing has been largely a 20th century phenomena.

In terms of social significance it is probably Johnson vs Jefferies, in terms of political significance probably Louis vs Schmeiling and purely as a boxing match probably Ali vs Frazier.

[Ezzard]

Very hard to pick as gloved heavyweight boxing has been largely a 20th century phenomena.

In terms of social significance it is probably Johnson vs Jefferies, in terms of political significance probably Louis vs Schmeiling and purely as a boxing match probably Ali vs Frazier.

Agree 100%

[barry]

>>>Agree 100%<<<

Me also!!!

[HomicideHenry]

I am surprised you didn't list these other "Fight of the Century" bout:

Jack Dempsey vs Jess Willard- far more entertaining than Ali-Frazier, in my opinion. But I agree, in terms of political matters Louis vs Schmeling.

But the very first Fight of the Century, Johnson-Jefferies, I think meant the most to not just boxing, but to the entire world at that time, no fight was bigger and more talked about than Johnson-Jefferies, to put into persepctive it was as hyped up as Cooney-Holmes/Tyson-Lewis combined.

[pundit]

I am surprised you didn't list these other "Fight of the Century" bout:

Jack Dempsey vs Jess Willard- far more entertaining than Ali-Frazier, in my opinion. But I agree, in terms of political matters Louis vs Schmeling.

But the very first Fight of the Century, Johnson-Jefferies, I think meant the most to not just boxing, but to the entire world at that time, no fight was bigger and more talked about than Johnson-Jefferies, to put into persepctive it was as hyped up as Cooney-Holmes/Tyson-Lewis combined.

Johnson-Jeffries is a very legit choice. In terms of hype it is probably on an equal level with the three other fights, but as someone has pointed out before, each of these fihgts created hype for different reasons.

Dempsey-Willard? Compared to the folks listed above, Willard was a big bum, and Dempsey beat him up. And a fight with a bum involved can hardly be the "fight of the century"...

Cheers, P

[HomicideHenry]

Looking back at Willard's career he was not as great as other champions before or after him, but Willard wasn't a complete "bum". He beat Johnson, and irregardless what people have to say about Johnson, he was slimmer for that fight than he had been in years---he trained hard for Willard, and for the first 20 rounds was beating Willard, until Willard got his second wind.

Willard was the best of the 'white hopes' outside of Luther McCarty, and you can't really knock the man, considering he took such an awful beating from Johnson and managed to win, took an awful terrific beating from Dempsey and tried to keep going on broken ribs, jaw and all. He had alot of heart, had a good punch, knew how to use his size well, and was tough, and he could body-punch a little.

He was better than Carnera, in my opinion. and the fight was hyped up alot; for instance, one of the many pre-fight quotes was "How can this little mohagony man stand up against this giant of a man with the arms of a wrestler?" It was billed as the 'Fight of the Century', and in my opinion was far more thrilling than Ali-Frazier and even Jefferies-Johnson.

But my opinion still stands, Johnson-Jefferies was the most important, as well as the most influencial and meaningful of the fights.

[pundit]

Looking back at Willard's career he was not as great as other champions before or after him, but Willard wasn't a complete "bum". He beat Johnson, and irregardless what people have to say about Johnson, he was slimmer for that fight than he had been in years---he trained hard for Willard, and for the first 20 rounds was beating Willard, until Willard got his second wind.

Willard was the best of the 'white hopes' outside of Luther McCarty, and you can't really knock the man, considering he took such an awful beating from Johnson and managed to win, took an awful terrific beating from Dempsey and tried to keep going on broken ribs, jaw and all. He had alot of heart, had a good punch, knew how to use his size well, and was tough, and he could body-punch a little.

He was better than Carnera, in my opinion. and the fight was hyped up alot; for instance, one of the many pre-fight quotes was "How can this little mohagony man stand up against this giant of a man with the arms of a wrestler?" It was billed as the 'Fight of the Century', and in my opinion was far more thrilling than Ali-Frazier and even Jefferies-Johnson.

But my opinion still stands, Johnson-Jefferies was the most important, as well as the most influencial and meaningful of the fights.

I voted Louis-Schmeling, but Johnson-Jeffries or Frazier-Ali seem just as legit to me. Ali-Foreman - hmmm. The most entertaining of the 4 fights for sure, and the greatest upset. But maybe not quite on the same level in terms of significance.

[pundit]

Bump.

Frazier-Ali seems to make it.

[Martin Sosa Cameron]

It's easy:

Dempsey vs Firpo

[pundit]

It's easy:

Dempsey vs Firpo

???

If a slugfest I'd rather go for Foreman-Lyle.

[BoxBuzz]

It's easy:

Dempsey vs Firpo

???

If a slugfest I'd rather go for Foreman-Lyle.

I think we are talking what got the attention of the Nation or maybe the world.....And I have to add on strictly a social concious level I would go for Ali Frazier. But on a boxing level (what boxing fans wanted to see) I would go with Ali Foreman. Which is what I ultimately voted for. We also all had a month of mystery to add to the excitement when it was delayed.

Foreman Lyle got our attention afterwards...I think everyone has seen that fight because someone told them it was great. Not that many tuned in on that day.

[pundit]

It's easy:

Dempsey vs Firpo

???

If a slugfest I'd rather go for Foreman-Lyle.

I think we are talking what got the attention of the Nation or maybe the world.....And I have to add on strictly a social concious level I would go for Ali Frazier. But on a boxing level (what boxing fans wanted to see) I would go with Ali Foreman. Which is what I ultimately voted for. We also all had a month of mystery to add to the excitement when it was delayed.

Foreman Lyle got our attention afterwards...I think everyone has seen that fight because someone told them it was great. Not that many tuned in on that day.

I believe in terms of anticipation before the fight these four were the four top-grossers; and all of them were perceived #1 vs. #2 in boxing terms.