BoxRec

For me it has to be the brawl that was Firpo-Dempsey.

Wasn't around for that one A. Will
For me, it was the first Ali v Spinks. I wanted Spinks to win so bad. I was excited for him the whole fight, up to the cards being read. When I heard Ali lost, it was like the wind was knocked out of me. Ali had LOST! After that night Ali became one of my favorites. Strange how you can root against someone, then relize the impact he actually had.

wsbuf"-Wasn't around for that one A. Will

Yea I was pretty lucky to get a tape of that, your miles older than me anyhow

Haggler v Hearns for me. It was the most explosive boxing match I ever saw.

JungleBob wrote:Haggler v Hearns for me. It was the most explosive boxing match I ever saw.

ummmm, was that a heavyweight title fight bob?

The tension and ferocious finish of the Louis v Schmeling fight must rank high but for me I think I will go with Ali v Frazier 3. The sustained action of that fight plus it's being a much anticipated rubbermatch made it avery exciting fight.

terap wrote:Bullocks,

How long would Leon Spinks have lasted with Dempsey?

20 seconds? 30 seconds?

Novice Spinks couldn't get through one round with Gerrie Coetzee.

But novice Spinks--who only had 7 pro fights--beat our hero Ali ( the greatest of all time ) in 15 rounds

and then lost a 15 round decision to our hero Ali in 15 rounds.

And WHO had crude skill levels?

that's kinda true but Ali was WAY past it when he fought Spinks.

I remember at the time hearing Ali was good friends of the Spink's. That Ali "lost" as a favor. Hard to believe, but...

Happy to see someone finally mentioned Dempsey-Firpo. Without doubt the most exciting heavyweight title fight. One in which the entire audience was on its feet in a frenzy from almost the first punch. Another exciting fight was Dempsey-Willard. For me, "exciting" can also include the absolute, total destruction of an opponent.

Live from Madison Square garden Ali Vs Frazier 1, That fight was like the Beatles coming to America and man landing on the moon. Live from Madison Square garden it was a majical time for boxing. The
thrilla in Manilla was also a great fight.

through my "german glasses"

03.07.1931 (Cleveland) Max Schmeling vs. William "Young" Stribling

Dempsey v Firpo certainly merits mention. Ali v Spinks was kinda boring in my book although I can understand the excitement of watchig an upset. A few others: Marciano v Charles - incredibly brutal fight Marciano's nose was split in two. Bowe v Holyfield 1 & 2 - incredible action and heart by both men. Ali vs Frazier - all of them. Ali vs Foreman - incredibly brutal. Patterson v Ingemar Johansen (sp?) all three - knockdowns galore. Not too mention the turn of the century fights that were often incredibly brutal and LONG - ie Corbett, Johnson, etc. I'm sure I'm missing a bunch - but at least there is a few.