What big fights have you been too? Anyone got any stories of the atmosphere etc or memories they could share
I was ringside for Mayweather-Marquez. That’s the only big fight I’ve been to. Been to a ton of local fights though, some of which were televised.
Hagler vs. Scypion. 1983. Providence Civic Center. My teacher bought tickets for a few of us in the boxing club. Loud raucous crowd. Arena smelled of urine, cigars and beer ----the usual. Hagler fought well. Scypion was game but outmatched. To be honest the fight of the night was journey man Murray Sutherland. Time is hazy but he was not doing well--{ getting crushed} but came back for a knockout late. That was the loudest noise of the night. Good memories. Grateful that i was there....
!.Sugar Ray Leonard vs Daniel Gonzalez, March 24 1979,(I ran into Carlos Monzon). 2. Alexis Arguello vs Ruben Castillo, Jan 20 1980 3. Thomas Hearns vs Randy Shields, April 26 1981.
Williams/Margarito-->mayhem in the stands Diaz/Alvarado and Donaire/Nishioka--> fun night, great event Ruiz/Joshua-->intensely pro-British crowd that sort of flipped for Ruiz because how courageously he fought Vitali/Sanders-->Ukranians and Russians showed up Tarver/Johnson I-->good fight, but the crowd never really got into it Various PBC shows at Barclay's where the arena fills with weed smoke. D-Chenko/Jacobs--->a fun, high level fight with a great atmosphere Donaire/Rigo-->crappy seating layout (Radio City). A bunch of disappointed Filipinos. Crawford/Kavauliauskaus-->similar to the Jacobs fight, but only competitive for about five rounds. Crawford has a mean streak. Rafael Marquez v. Pastrana--> the card was stacked with rival Hispanic nationalities and lots of blood was shed in the stands.
Trinidad-Mayorga - great atmosphere especially when Tito made his way to the ring. Hatton-Tszyu - incredible atmosphere. Calzaghe-Kessler - great atmosphere and big stadium fight so different feel. Marquez-Pacquaio II, III & IV - all felt special as far as true big fight feelings go. Calzaghe-Lacy Rafael Marquez-Israel Vazquez III & IV - the third May be the best fight I ever attended Estrada-Chocolatito II - Covid limited capacity great fight though Marquez-Diaz I - great fight and great crowd Marquez-Mayweather Marquez-Diaz II Marquez-Katsidis Marquez-Bradley Marquez-Barrera Marquez-Alvarado Marquez-Casamayor Rafael Marquez-Lopez Rafa-Nishioka Ward-Kovalev I & II Chocolatito-Cuadras Chocolatito-Rungvisai II Estrada-Rungvisai I & II Lomachenko-Rigo, Linares, Walters, Russell Pacquaio-Morales III Pacquaio-Bradley I Hatton-Castillo Castillo-Corrales II Crawford-Postol Vitali-Arreola Trinidad-Wright Others too.
Carlos Monzon was tall, but had an athletic wiry build. He was approaching me as I was on my way to buy a beer at the concession stand. We looked straight at each other, we nodded up at each other, we both gave each other a smile. When I got back to my seat, I told my brother, we both had followed Carlos since he won the title from Nino Benvenuti in 1970.Later I attended a wedding of one of my best friends, at the reception, I told many of meeting Monzon, all were entertained. There was a good sized article the next day of Carlos in the local Sports page. His trainer Amilcar Brusa remained in my hometown to work with the local fighters for a short time. Carlos, in my opinion appeared friendly, but he appeared in a hurry, perhaps to catch a plane back to Argentina, he must have returned to a movie set of a movie that he was appearing in.
For different reasons different guys. Floyd was incredibly skilled of course but I only saw him vs. Marquez and that was a mismatch given the size difference. Marquez, I saw a lot and his offensive skill and creativity is probably the most impressive I saw. Estrada is another highly skilled fast paced offensive guy. Calzaghe was really impressive up close. Had it all and you sense he had extra gears if needed - which he did after the first 4-5 rounds vs. Kessler. Lomachenko is any any discussion for the total package too. Oozes class.
