BoxRec

Let's say that Haye beats Bellew and Wlad comes off on top against Joshua. Presumably that would pave the way to Haye Wlad 2. In which case it would be over 6 years for the same two fighters to fight for a recognized HW title. Is there anything in history that would beat this gap in same-opponent title fights?

Billy Conn fought Joe Louis in 1941 and again in 1946.
Klitschko fought Tony Thompson in 2008 and 2012. ... So not quite 6 years ... Though i dont think klit would be looking to fight haye again, he would rematch joshua or go after wilder imo.

Biggest gap I can find is 5.5 years between Wlad and Byrd fighting for the WBO, and then rematching for the IBF.

fanman wrote:Billy Conn fought Joe Louis in 1941 and again in 1946.
Klitschko fought Tony Thompson in 2008 and 2012. ... So not quite 6 years ... Though i dont think klit would be looking to fight haye again, he would rematch joshua or go after wilder imo.

If Wlad loses to Joshua, I think he will retire. I think in fact he may well retire whatever the result.

Nothing left to prove if he wins really.

Champ Tyson vs Bruno 89 then champ Bruno vs Tyson in 96. That's over 7 years got to be up there.

If Joshua unravels in a novicey way, and Haye beats Bellew without looking as good as he did years ago, then Wlad could make 5-10 million rematching a guy he'll think he still has the beating of. It's not like he's not rematched other guys he's beat in the past (Peters, Thompson) .

Ali and Patterson fought for the HW title in '65 and '72

Was the rematch for the world title?

crusader wrote:Was the rematch for the world title?

Actually you're right, looked it up and it wasn't.

Always though it was for some reason, but now I think about it the rumble in the jungle was '74.

I guess we can forget about that record being broken anytime soon then.