Joe Tatsuyoshi vs Veeraphol Sahaphrom 1 / 2 Joe, with his ****ed up eyes and getting past prime, put everything on the line against the primed, laser punching Thai that was Deathmask. Literal fighting spirit. He actually passes out as soon as the ref stops it. Joe always had unreal heart and is one of my favorite boxers ever. Skilled, explosive and always in a dramatic fight. Him taking a rematch speaks about how much balls and sheer pride he had.
Archie Moore's gallant attempt at dethroning Rocco Francis Marchegiano despite being knocked down 5 times
Larry Holmes getting up from 2 brutal knockdowns and fight back while concussed then k.o.'d senseless by Mike Tyson.
In recent times, non fatal fights aside, Riddick Bowe in the second Golota fight, Evander in the first Bowe fight, Tommy vs Marvin (what was he thinking when he got up?). But the winner for me is Frazier in Manila. He took right hands without seeing them when he was utterly exhausted and still never stopped trying and was still wanting to fight on. Crazy courage and heart.
The most incredible story. 39 years ago on Monday that he died and I remember hearing it on the radio when my mum was getting ready for work. The only area in which he was on a level playing field with Lupe Pintor, himself a wonderfully brave and noble warrior, was heart and Johnny got everything out of it. Which reminds me. Pintor v Gomez.
It may be obvious, but I think it bears mentioning here that every boxer who has died as a result of a ring injury has left everything in the ring, certainly much more so than any fighter who recovers to fight another day. I guess I'm more of a literalist than a romantic.
it didnt help that mike was throwing lefts and rights and just as larry tried to throw his own right it got caught in the middle ring rope as tyson doubled up on his right
