What has been the most historically significant fight of the 21st century and why?

Here is a shortlist. I may have missed some so feel free to add.

Lewis vs Tyson
De La Hoya vs Mayweather Jr.
De La Hoya vs Mosley I or II
Jones Jr. vs Ruiz
Hopkins vs De La Hoya
Hopkins vs Trinidad
Barrera vs Morales I, II or III
Pacquaio vs Marquez I, II, III or IV

Posters have added:

Lewis vs Vitali Klitschko
Calzaghe vs Lacy
Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya

 

THE MOST HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT FIGHT? Seriously....I don't know. I think there were a lot of fights that made a statement.

For example, let's take Barrera vs Hamed.

In this fight Barrera showed that no matter how great of a natural athlete some guy is (and Hamed was an incredible natural athlete) you still need to develop the skills if you're going to be a champion. In this way, I think this fight was very good for Boxing.

 

Tko6.

Ko6.

Ko30secs samosa chin

 

From an achievement point of view i'd say RJJ vs Ruiz, first man in 100 years to win the MW and HW championship, if Roy had retired then i think he would be called the GOAT subsequent defeats have perhaps changed that view. RJJ is in my top 10 anyway. From the sports point of view the two ODLH fights with Mayweather and Pacquiao, people seem to forget it was the Oscar fights that made both these guys stars it changed the sport and created two mainstream crossover stars who have dominated the sport since then in terms of both ability and drawing power.

 

It is so difficult to pick one. For me I would say it's Hopkins-Trinidad. Two fighters in their prime.

Why was the win significant? Because it established Hopkins as one of the greatest middleweights of all time, maybe put him Top 5 with that victory.

 

That win was big for Middleweight division, and for Bernard Hopkins who went on to become one of the best ever.

But if we are talking the whole of boxing, TKO6 has significance, put an end to the great Heavyweight division that had ruled boxing since the beginning.

 

I was going back and forth as to whether to include that fight in my shortlist just before i posted it.

I went as far as writing out the names but then i deleted it based on the fact that it was Lewis' past his prime and Vitali did not accomplish the most in the following era, his brother did.

But you are right, the Heavyweight division has the most historical significance

 

Close odds between top P4P fighters, who are #1 & #2 in their division + Great fight

Very difficult to find, even back into the 20th, Hagler vs SRL, Tito vs DLH failed to deliver what we expected

 

It's a shame the fight didn't happen, not gonna mention because the forum is flooded with threads pertaining to that topic.

 

Good shout with Barrera - Hamed in that regard.

Hopkins becoming the oldest world champ has to be one of the most historical signifcant boxing events in the 21st centuary.

 

Collie, just to clarify, your vote goes to Pacquaio-Marquez IV?

 

:hellohi

 

Well in 50 years time I think that fight will be discussed and remembered more than any other on the list, so I guess so.

 

Joe Calzaghe vs. Jeff Lacy because Jeff was heading for greatness as the mini Tyson and Calzaghe was a "bum hiding in Wales" and he derailed Lacy to save us the anguish of having to put up with that dreary **** as pound for pound number 1 as speak.

It will be surpassed though when Kell Brook ends Floyd Mayweather's undefeated streak.

 

And can it be topped is if Pacquaio stops Marquez in the 5th fight?:think

Guess the answer is "depends" - on nature of stoppage and whether Marquez had shown serious signs of decline or not.