Was Kambosos-Lopez the second-best Lightweight Title fight this century?

Well, if you consider Mayweather-Burton both a lightweight title fight and a better scrap, we certainly do.

Last night we had all the belts and the Ring title on the line. A 13-1 underdog challenger. A pound-for-pound-rated champion fighting at home. Both fighters down. Both fighters cut. Both fighters land nearly an equal number of shots. A split decision win for the challenger and a new world champ crowned. The hometown fans don't riot but cheer for the new champ and boo the hometown guy for claiming he was robbed.

Yeah, same old same old.

https://ibb.co/WcXh12c

 

Maybe you shouldn't watch it at 4 or 5 in the morning next time.

And last I checked, there weren't any other lightweight title fights on the line last night.

We're talking about the best lightweight title fights.

 

I've seen the fights you brought up, and I disagree.

The fight last night was special and historic.

 

George, you're just way off on this.

The fight Saturday night had everything.

* Two undefeated fighters in their primes - check.
* Different continents represented - a true 'global' matchup - check.
* Pound-for-Pound world champion - check.
* Huge 13-1 underdog - check.
* All the belts and the Ring Championship on the line - check.
* Rabid hometown crowd - check.
* Expert boxing skills demonstrated by both - check.
* Expert power punching demonstrated by both - check.
* Both guys floored hard - check.
* Both guys get up and fight on - check.
* Both guys cut - check.
* Both guys look like they are going to be stopped but fight on - check.
* Excellent fight from bell to bell - check.
* No quitters, both fight thru the pain - check.
* Drama before the decision - check.
* Underdog scores the upset win and takes all the titles - check.
* Preconceived notions about the fight turned upside down - check.
* The hero becomes the villain to the hometown crowd (based on his reactions postfight) and villain becomes the hero (based on his amazing performance) - check.

It was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Great fight. Great win. Great heart shown by both. Great characters. Knockdowns. Boxing. Blood. Drama.

I liked Corrales-Castillo 1 more, because I've had 16 years to watch it. The fight last night just happened. I may change my mind and years from now considered it the BEST lightweight fight so far.

But that fight last night had everything. It was about as good as it can possibly get.

All the standard gripes people have can't be used here. It checked all the boxes. Really did.

 

Well, having watched both live, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed both. And do rate Corrales-Castillo 1 higher today. But there were a number of controversies with that one. Spitting out mouthpieces. A quick stoppage. They were also both a bit shopworn. Also, the second and third Castillo-Corrales fights took some of the luster off for me. I can't help but think of the second and third fights when I bring up the first.

If the fight Saturday night is a one-off and there are no rematches, it will likely age better. Both guys were undefeated, both prime, both got off the deck, both went the full 12. The exchanges were often brutal. The boxing was also often surprising. The damage both dished out and absorbed, equally brutal. And the huge underdog won. And all the titles were on the line. Not just two. And neither guy Saturday had lost to previous champ.

Both fights were great in their own ways.

For the moment, I have Corrales-Castillo 1 higher. But I'm slowly talking myself into putting the fight Saturday at the top.