Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao and the five other greatest boxing fights of all times:
So the wait is over as one of the most anticipated fight in history of boxing has been announced this week with Floyd Mayweather taking on Manny Pacquiao in what will be a great fight for the fans. The fight itself will be the most lucrative boxing event ever with estimation of around $300 million expected from nights work which ranks this in the top of the lucrative fights table. Today we take a look at other biggest boxing fights and lets start with “the fight of the century” which lead to two more rematches between two greatest heavyweight boxers of all times, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier I (Fight of the Century)
When two undefeated boxers heavyweights signed to fight for the first time at Madison Square Garden
New York City in 08 March 1971, Muhammad Ali and Frazier left a legacy which will never be touched again. The background of the fight was thrilling as Muhammad Ali was stripped of his title due to not accepting Vietnam War draft while Frazier won the vacated title and the showdown between two unbeaten fighters happen where Frazier won the fight with a unanimous decision after 15 rounds. This fight is widely regarded as the “Fight of the Century”.
Both fighters were guaranteed a purse of $2.5 million while tickets cost around $150 a piece. Which made this fight the most lucrative in that era. This fight lead to two more fights between Ali and Frazier which were huge success as well but the first fight was just fantastic.
Mike Tyson vs Evander Holifield II (The Bite One)
Just like Pacquiao vs Mayweather there was years of delay in making the fight happen between Tyson and Holyfield. The negotiations started in 1990 but Tyson loss to Buster lead the fight to delay and later an injury canceled the fight and of course Tyson going to jail for rape conviction delayed the fight for three more years but finaly in 1996 the first fight took place which Tyson lost after all the hype game the rematch was no different as Holyfield had complete control but Tyson bite part of the ear of Holyfield and he was disqualified. Quality wise these fights were not so great but there was so much hype, anticipation but Tyson loss was kind of a anti climax in the end.
Carl Froch vs George Groves II (Greatest British Fight)
Niether of these boxers were what you call Great boxers but they did not like each other one bit and their rivalry accelerated during the build of first fight. Young Groves Floored season vetern Froch in the first round and Groves was in control most of the fight but a premature stoppage won the fight for Froch.
But George Groves demaded a rematch and his wish was granted with whole british media hyping the fight and With Wembley stadium choosen to host the fight where 80,000 fans and millions watching home on TV witnessed another classic where it was evenly matched till the 7th round when Froch caught Groves with a devastating right hook and knocked him out and pretty much end the rivalry.
Sugar Ray Leonard vs Thomas Hearns I
Sugar Ray Leonard was walterweight champion when he took on Thomas Hearns in the first of two fights “The Showdown” at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on September 16, 1981. It was one of the most lucarative boxing fights of that era where Sugar Ray made around $11 million from the fight while Hearns made $5.1 million. Hearns came into the fight as undefeated WBA Welterweight champion and the fight itself lived up to the hype and build up.
Sugar Ray struggled with Hearns reach advantage and for the first 5 rounds Hearns was ahead on points but in six and seven rounds Sugar Ray hit back and hurt Hearns. But Hearns got back into the groove and shaded 9 to 12 rounds when Sugar Ray Leonards trainer Angelo Dundee shouter in corner “you are blowing it son!” and it rejuvinated Sugar Ray who floored hearns in 13th round and stopped him in 14th to win the fight. But some called it as a premature stoppage and Hearns was leading on points with 124–122, 125–122, and 125–121. The rematch was a close draw and third fight never happened ended a glorious era of boxing.