If you could attend any 5 fights in boxing history, what would they be?

There's nothing like going to a fight. In the last two weeks, I've probably watched Rios/Alvarado a dozen times just to relive the experience.

So, let's have a little bit of a fantasy day. Let's say you get a time machine for Christmas and can use it to watch any fights in boxing history. I'm asking for five, but feel free to add more.

Mine:
1. Ali/Frazier 1: this was billed as the Fight of the Century. Madison Square Garden (a place I've never been) and the stuff of legend.
2. Louis/Schmelling 2: this fight has great importance in America and is as much American history as boxing history.
3. Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake Lamotta VI: the immortal Valentines Day Massacre. I would have to see the GOAT, and this is the one to see.
4. Hagler/Hearns: Hagler was my first favorite fighter and this is a fight that defined that era. Less than nine minutes, but discussed and watched forever.
5. Gatti/Ward: for personal reasons. Gatti was much more than boxing for his fans, and this, although a loss, is his signature moment.

Yours?

 

Leonard vs. Duran 1

Leonard vs. Hearns 1

Mayweather vs. Cotto

Ali vs. Foreman

Castillo vs. Corales

 

Harry Greb-Gene Tunney I
John L. Sullivan-Jake Kilrain
Jim Jeffries-Philadelphia Jack O'Brien
Jim Corbett-Peter Jackson
Graziano-Zale II
Lamotta-Robinson II

Some of the legendary fights you've always heard about where there's no film.

 

mayweather-baldomir

 

Benn vs McClellan
Chavez vs Haugen

^ Two of the most electric atmospheres in boxing history.

Ali vs Frazier 1
SRL vs Hagler
Corales vs Castillo 1

 

Some interesting stuff. I had never thought of the no footage era.

 

Ali-Frazier I
Ali-Frazier III
Foreman-Lyle
Leonard-Duran I
Dempsey-Firpo

 

Castillo v Corrales

Ward v Gatti I

Marciano v Walcott I

The Rumble in the Jungle

Thrilla in Manila

 

The three "Fights of the Century" and two of the most entertaining fights of all time.

1. Louis/Schmeling II
2. Johnson/Jeffries
3. Frazier/Ali I
4. Hagler/Hearns
5. Ward/Gatti I

Honorable mention: John L. Sullivan KO75 Jake Kilrain

 

Sal Sanchez-Wilfredo Gomez
Sal Sanchez-Azumah Nelson
Duran-Leonard I Brawl in Montreal
Basilio-Robinson I
Williams-Martinez I

 

4 out of 5 are the same as mine. :good

 

Good list!

I like the above shout for Foreman/Lyle too...

 

Lots of great answers in this thread. Keeping the list at 5 is difficult, though. I didn't include a Cotto fight and he is my current favorite.

 

Which Cotto fight would ya pick? Mosley?

I'd go with Mayweather or Malignaggi, but that's more because those are my two favorite active guys...