BoxRec

Check out the article I wrote on this subject. Would love you guys opinion's on the topic.

http://sportsrants.com/impact/2015/04/1 ... -all-time/

It's definitely up there with the Duran vs Leonard fight, imo.

The third Duran vs Leonard fight, obviously.

It's Leonard -v- Hagler again for me.

Two ageing ATGs fighting around about half a decade after they should have.

I'm even predicting that it will be an intriguing if largely unremarkable contest, but without the shock factor of the equivalent of SRL pulling off an unlikely upset.

For some reason, this fight doesn't get me juiced like other so-called Superbouts.

So many seem to think it will be a routine fight, devoid of many exciting moments. Mayweather's style usually dictates an often drab bout, even though his skills are still impressive.

I was much more hyped for Leonard vs. Duran, Hagler and Hearns. And of course, Ali vs Frazier (I) and Ali-Foreman.

Even the anticipation of Arguello vs. Pryor far exceeded my feelings for this bout.

I question whether 10 years from now, many will recall anything memorable about Pacquiao vs. Mayweather.

It's significant because it's between the clear p4p #1 and arguable p4p #2 in the sport.

That said, it would have been FAR more significant had it happened in March 2010 like it was supposed to have. Let's just hope it's a good fight.

I don't think there's much historical importance here. the fight is not definitive in any way. it is not a cultural iconic spectacle except in the amount of money it has made - I suppose from that view it has cultural significance. but beyond that its a bit of a let down that it didn't happen when these two greats were at their peak perhaps 6 or 7 years ago. had it happened then we could mark it as a truly historic match up

in my mind there is no doubt that floyd intentionally
delayed the fight until manny was beatable. that takes
away a lot for me in terms of historical importance. i
am excited though about it happening.

I imagined there'd be more hype to help gather in the massive psy days. I think this bout is comparable to Tyson v Spinks - there was great expectation of a great fight between 2 top champions, obviously it didn't turn out that way.

This fight may not be? who knows? there could be a quick KO and shock everyone? It's right up there with all the top fights ever, these two fighters are best boxers by a mile taking on each other maybe a bit later than it should have been, but a proper a SUPER FIGHT lets just hope it lives up to the rest of them great fights.

superfight...yes.
but historical importance?...the history books will of course have a section for how big this fight was...but with an asterisk explaining how this was not prime for prime and how debate continued for years about who would have won if it was 6 years previous.

doug.ie wrote:superfight...yes.
but historical importance?...the history books will of course have a section for how big this fight was...but with an asterisk explaining how this was not prime for prime and how debate continued for years about who would have won if it was 6 years previous.

this

man wrote:in my mind there is no doubt that floyd intentionally
delayed the fight until manny was beatable. that takes
away a lot for me in terms of historical importance. i
am excited though about it happening.

and this

Its quite important id say. The winner will probably enshrine himself in most fans' all time top 10 list.

Syntax Error wrote:It's Leonard -v- Hagler again for me.

Two ageing ATGs fighting around about half a decade after they should have.

I'm even predicting that it will be an intriguing if largely unremarkable contest, but without the shock factor of the equivalent of SRL pulling off an unlikely upset.

I agree.

palooka wrote:I imagined there'd be more hype to help gather in the massive psy days. I think this bout is comparable to Tyson v Spinks - there was great expectation of a great fight between 2 top champions, obviously it didn't turn out that way.

Honestly I remember the build-up and anticipation to Tyson-Spinks being bigger than Pac-Floyd. Maybe it's just my age.

The build up for Tyson-Spinks was much, much bigger. Lewis-Tyson was bigger.
Outside of the boxrec and ESPN, I have not heard a word about this fight. Have not heard anyone I personally know say anything about it.

dempseyfire wrote:

Syntax Error wrote:It's Leonard -v- Hagler again for me.

Two ageing ATGs fighting around about half a decade after they should have.

I'm even predicting that it will be an intriguing if largely unremarkable contest, but without the shock factor of the equivalent of SRL pulling off an unlikely upset.

I agree.

Hagler-Leonard was supposed to be just an easy payday for Hagler. Pac is an underdog as well, though people seem to be giving a better chance than Leonard.

Something to consider; Hagler was 32 and Leonard was 30.
Mayweather is 38 and PAC is an old 36. He has not stopped anyone since 2009.

For a while there may be people talking about how important this fight is. Regardless of who wins, the loser is going to have the past his prime excuse. Unlike Hagler-Leonard, ultimately, this fight is not going to be mean much.

Ambling Alp II wrote:

dempseyfire wrote:

Syntax Error wrote:It's Leonard -v- Hagler again for me.

Two ageing ATGs fighting around about half a decade after they should have.

I'm even predicting that it will be an intriguing if largely unremarkable contest, but without the shock factor of the equivalent of SRL pulling off an unlikely upset.

I agree.

Hagler-Leonard was supposed to be just an easy payday for Hagler. Pac is an underdog as well, though people seem to be giving a better chance than Leonard.

Something to consider; Hagler was 32 and Leonard was 30.
Mayweather is 38 and PAC is an old 36. He has not stopped anyone since 2009.

For a while there may be people talking about how important this fight is. Regardless of who wins, the loser is going to have the past his prime excuse. Unlike Hagler-Leonard, ultimately, this fight is not going to be mean much.

I agree. I think given the layoff, Leonard beating Hagler is more significant historically than either Pac or Floyd winning (although I consider Pac to be further past his prime than most, so I think if he wins it's more significant than Floyd)

Ambling Alp II wrote:

dempseyfire wrote:

Syntax Error wrote:It's Leonard -v- Hagler again for me.

Two ageing ATGs fighting around about half a decade after they should have.

I'm even predicting that it will be an intriguing if largely unremarkable contest, but without the shock factor of the equivalent of SRL pulling off an unlikely upset.

I agree.

Hagler-Leonard was supposed to be just an easy payday for Hagler. Pac is an underdog as well, though people seem to be giving a better chance than Leonard.

Something to consider; Hagler was 32 and Leonard was 30.
Mayweather is 38 and PAC is an old 36. He has not stopped anyone since 2009.

For a while there may be people talking about how important this fight is. Regardless of who wins, the loser is going to have the past his prime excuse. Unlike Hagler-Leonard, ultimately, this fight is not going to be mean much.

Spot on.

Hagler was obsessed with paydays throughout his career & I think this was start of the beginning of Leonard out psyching him.

Leonard knew that as along as Hagler got the lion's share of the purse, he would be able to negotiate the most important things in his favour & it worked.

Good topic this.

For me I'd definitely say it's the most significant fight of the past 20 years. Although, as many others have already pointed out, it should've happened 5/6 years ago and it would have been even bigger back then - and more important historically.

The only fights over the past 15 years that come close to this (historically) in my view are Lewis vs Tyson - although that was definitely more one-sided than what the upcoming fight is. And I'd probably throw Hopkins vs De La Hoya in their as well for historical importance - considering that fight was for all four World Middleweight titles and that wasn't done before, nor as it been done since.

I'm tempted also, to throw Wladimir Klitschko vs David Haye in to this discussion as well - that fight could have been more historically important if The Hayemakers had've gave a better account of himself that night.

But when people talk about Leonard/Hagler/Hearns/Duran - all those fights were well over 20 years ago... Since then, what has come close to it?

Money vs Pacman for me surpassed Tito vs DeLaHoya fight as the BIGGER STINKER OF ALL TIMES. The top ten all time stinkers:

1. Mayweather vs Pacman
2. DeLaHoya vs Trinidad
3. Ali vs Liston II
4. Louis vs Conn II
5. Tyson vs Holyfield II
6. Duran vs Leonard III
7. Duran vs Leonard II
8. Tyson vs Lewis
9. Marciano vs Walcott II
10. Holyfield vs Buster Douglas

Honorary mention:
Hopkins vs DeLaHoya


Any other fight that stunk?

I'd say these guys are a good 5 years past their best and it showed. It ranks nowhere near the top in terms of significance...ie it really means nothing. The $$$ were absolutely huge but lets not confuse that with the fight itself

the term "historical importance" covers a lot...and a lot thats not to do with the quality of the fight itself.

for instance...al mccoy...one of the weaker middleweight champions has "historical importance" as he was the first ever southpaw champion.

this fight will also have "historical importance" as it was the richest fight ever when it was fought.

so...regardless of the quality of the fight...yes, it ranks high in "historical importance"

:)

In years to be come it will be "histrionically important" for Mayweather's fans and defending his career. They can always say now: "he beat Pacquaio" - and they are going to be even more unbearable. It's disgusting.

elmersalsa wrote:Money vs Pacman for me surpassed Tito vs DeLaHoya fight as the BIGGER STINKER OF ALL TIMES. The top ten all time stinkers:

1. Mayweather vs Pacman
2. DeLaHoya vs Trinidad
3. Ali vs Liston II
4. Louis vs Conn II
5. Tyson vs Holyfield II
6. Duran vs Leonard III
7. Duran vs Leonard II
8. Tyson vs Lewis
9. Marciano vs Walcott II
10. Holyfield vs Buster Douglas

Honorary mention:
Hopkins vs DeLaHoya


Any other fight that stunk?

Take Duran vs Leonard II, and replace it with Tyson vs Spinks. Now, that was a stinker!