Post your list of the Top 5 fights that captured the most public interest in America since the end of WW2? 1. Ali-Frazier 1 2. Tyson-Holyfield 2 3. Ali-Foreman 4. Ali-Frazier 3 5. SRL-Hagler HM: Tyson-Lewis
Depends whether you mean before or after the fight or both? For example, Bowe-Holyfield 1 got its significance from the fight itself, so Bose-Holyfield 2 was probably more anticipated as a result of the first fight. Ali-Frazier 1 has to be on the list as a historic matchup that was a huge deal before they stepped in the ring and then lived up to the hype once they did. Outside of heavyweight (which arguably takes it out of the mainstream), I’d have Leonard-Hearns 1 and Hagler-Hearns as well as Hagler-Leonard. Mayweather-Pac has to be a contender too.
The hype around this one was pretty wild, it captured some of the mainstream interest much like Tyson-Holyfield 2
I don't remember Tyson vs Lewis being that much bigger a mainstream event than any other Tyson fight. Of course every time he fought it took over the public consciousness. Crazy to think how different things were then.
So many I’ve decided to list my 10. 1. Ali vs Frazier 1 2. Ali vs Foreman 3. Holmes vs Cooney 4. Tyson vs Spinks 5. Ali vs Spinks 2 6. Ali vs Holmes 7. Hagler vs Leonard 8 .Tyson vs Holmes 9. Mayweather vs Pacquiao 10. Leonard vs Hearns 1
i do not remember a more angry hyped fight than Holmes / Cooney. Racial overtones were disturbing. Even though he was the established champ did they put Cooney on the cover of a major magazine? Time? SI?
In Yes, also he had a direct line to Ronald Regan, the president of the USA in his locker room ........ But Holmes, the Champion didn't? If that's no indication of bias from the leadership of the free world I don't know what is.
