Two or more fights is the criteria. Based on how exciting the fights and how historically important they were, what was the greatest lower weight rivalry? Morales vs Barrera wasn't included because the 2nd and 3rd fights were above 122.
Sorry to be a Classic ***** but I love Willie Davies struggle with Midget Wolgast. He got him the first time when they were scrapping over eight rounds. Davies beats him. In 27 they meet over ten and Davies drops this decision by a hair's breadth and he thinks to himself "ok he's come on a bit but i was unlucky there, get him next time." In February 28 they meet over ten and Davies drops this decision by a hair's breadth and he thinks to himself "ok he's come on a bit but i was unlucky there, get him next time." In May 28 they meet over ten and Davies wrecks his knee - drops a decision wide. Says to himself, "can't belive that, disaster, but I'll get him next time, only lost because of my injury." In 29 they meet over ten and Davies drops this decision by a hair's breadth and he thinks to himself "ok he's come on a bit but i was unlucky there, get him next time." But he's all of a sudden 4-1 down and in 1930 and 1931 he loses big including being dropped and it's just so clear Midget went over-the-top on him. But Davies never went away. He tried and he tried and he tried. Though there was no sign that 15 rounds would have made a difference, it saddens me that he never got the 15 round try. This is just such a sad, brutal combat, that KD in the sixth fight...there's something almost Homeric about it. Sorry everyone
Your picks are great though - would vote for Wonjongkam vs Naito I think. That was just so much fun. You know, being alive for that. In fact I'll change my vote to that, although Vaquez-Marquez is great too.
While Vazquez-Marquez were overall better fights I really enjoyed Carbajal and Gonzalez the most. I'm not even sure I know why. I really liked both fighters and their stylistic differences made for great clashes.
Yeah, it's so of its time. It was like - who the **** knew those weight-classes existed right? Then it's like - boom, these fights. They do get overrated - i think you're operating them a bit - but i totally get it.
Daniel Zaragoza vs Paul Banke should also be mentioned in the list. All great list of rivalries, hard to pick one. I would also add Ruben Olivares' rivalries with Chucho Castillo and Rafael Herrera as well. Castillo and Herrera also had a nice rivalry against each other as well. And also Rafael Herrera and Rodolfo Martinez. Gilberto Roman vs Santos Laciar was also a nice lower weight boxing rivalry as well.
Vazquez-Marquez. That series made me proud of boxing. No trash talk, false bravado, negotiating on Twitter etc; oh how I miss those days and fighters like them more than ever today.
From that list I would personally pick Chocolatito vs Gallo and Vazquez vs Marquez as the best lower weight rivalries in terms of pure excitement.
I was thinking of adding Zaragoza-Banke, but I remember the third fight being a dud? And I decided not to add it. The other two are excellent choices.
Definitely not as exciting as the other two that's for sure. The same would apply with Roman vs Laciar where the first 2 fights were excellent but the last fight was more of a washout. Jung Koo Chang had a nice rivalry with Hideyuki Ohashi as well. Their 2 bouts were exciting fights.
RING got backstage after the third fight and asked Marquez if he was proud to have put on such a great trilogy with his man. "Marquez, his eyes swollen shut, shook his head and motioned to his waist where the belt should be." Great series.
