10 Best Boxing Events and Matches of All Time
It’s no secret that boxing has long been one of the most popular sports in America, and has also become one of the most lucrative ways to make money as an athlete. As the biggest names in the sport prepare to duke it out once again at the upcoming Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight, many have been reminiscing about some of the most epic matches and boxing events that have ever taken place. The following list includes ten of the best boxing events and matches of all time, listed in chronological order
#1. Mike Tyson vs Lennox Lewis
This was one of the most highly anticipated fights in boxing history. Tyson, who was the undisputed heavyweight champion at the time, was considered one of the best boxers ever. Lewis, on the other hand, was an Olympic gold medalist and the heavyweight champion of the world. The fight lived up to the hype, with both men giving it their all. In the end, Lewis emerged victorious, knocking out Tyson in the eighth round.
#2. Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston
This fight is often considered one of the most controversial and greatest fights of all time. It was a rematch between former world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston and rising star Muhammad Ali. The match was full of surprises, with Ali winning by knockout in the seventh round.
#3. Sugar Ray Leonard vs Roberto Duran
This was a legendary fight between two boxing greats. Roberto Duran was the undisputed champion at welterweight, while Sugar Ray Leonard was the rising star. The fight lived up to the hype, with both men giving everything they had. In the end, it was Leonard who emerged victorious, cementing his place as one of the greatest boxers of all time. #2. Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier: Known as The Fight of the Century this is arguably the most important fight in history. Both fighters were undefeated coming into this battle but it ended with Ali being declared winner by unanimous decision after 15 rounds.
#1. Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield: Even if you are not a boxing fan, you have heard about this event before. It is possibly the most famous fight in history, due to its dramatic ending where Tyson was disqualified for biting off part of Holyfield’s ear during their 3rd round match-up for what should have been an easy victory for Tyson (he was already leading on points).
#4. Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Manny Pacquiao
On May 2, 2015, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao finally faced off in what was billed as the Fight of the Century. And it lived up to the hype. The two boxing legends went toe-to-toe for 12 rounds, with Mayweather ultimately coming out on top by unanimous decision. It was a thrilling match that will go down in history as one of the best boxing events of all time.
#5. Joe Louis vs Max Schmeling
On June 22, 1938, at Yankee Stadium in New York City, Louis faced German boxer Max Schmeling for the second time. The first fight, two years earlier, had been a shocking upset in which Schmeling knocked out the previously undefeated Louis in the 12th round.
#6. Roy Jones Jr vs James Toney
This was a highly anticipated rematch between two legends of the sport. Jones Jr. had previously beaten Toney by decision, but many felt that Toney had been robbed. The rematch was everything fans hoped for, with both men trading blows for 12 rounds.
#7. Evander Holyfield vs Larry Holmes
On October 25, 2000, at the age of 39, Larry Holmes made a comeback to the ring to fight Evander Holyfield. The former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world had been retired for seven years, but decided to give it one more go.
This was a mismatch from the start. Holyfield, who was only a year younger than Holmes, was still in his prime and had been fighting regularly. Holmes on the other hand, looked like he had gained a lot of weight and wasn't in the same kind of shape he was in during his heyday.
The fight turned out to be exactly what everyone thought it would be. Holyfield dominated Holmes en route to a 10th round TKO victory.
#8. Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman
When most people think of the best boxing match of all time, they think of Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman. The Rumble in the Jungle took place in Zaire on October 30, 1974. Foreman was the reigning world heavyweight champion and Ali was the challenger. The odds were heavily against Ali, as Foreman had won 40 out of 41 matches, with 37 of those wins coming by way of knockout.
#9. Michael Spinks vs Leon Spinks
On September 15, 1985, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Michael Spinks fought Leon Spinks for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. This was only the second time in history that two brothers had fought each other for a world title. Michael Spinks was the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion and was moving up in weight to fight his brother, who was the Heavyweight Champion.
#10. Sugar Ray Robinson vs Jake LaMotta
Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta first fought in October 1942. LaMotta won the bout by split decision, but the two would fight four more times over the next three years. The final three fights were all won by Robinson, including a technical knockout in the fifth fight. These two legendary boxers put on some of the best boxing matches of all time. They are often ranked as one of the greatest rivalry in sports history. There is no doubt that this match deserves to be on this list of 10 best boxing events and matches of all time.