Greatest back 2 back victories ?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Viy, Feb 18, 2025.


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  1. Viy

    Viy Member Full Member

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    Henry Armstrong's wins against Barney Ross & Lou Ambers

    Ezzard Charles's wins against Charley Burley in 1942

    Muhammad Ali's wins against Fraizer & Foreman

    Maybe Kid Gavilan's wins against Ike Williams in 1949 (although I read that result of their 1st fight was controversial)
     
    Viy, Feb 18, 2025
    Viy, Feb 18, 2025
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  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    If you are allowed to count same-guy contests, it's going to be Zivic beating Armstrong back-to-back in 40/41.

    People try to diminish these wins, but Zivic clearly had the edge on Armstrong in styles, Armstrong just couldn't cope inside. Armstrong wasn't prime, but he's arguably the single best fighter of all time, had lost something like one fight in 50 and hadn't been stopped since his debut (from memory). They are incredible undervalued wins.
     
    McGrain, Feb 18, 2025
    McGrain, Feb 18, 2025
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  3. Viy

    Viy Member Full Member

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    Yes, "same-guy contests" are allowed. I included them in my OP too. Zivic-Armstrong is an excellent pick.

    Edit: Actually, Zivic had three fights before his rematch with Armstrong, so that one doesn't count.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2025
    Viy, Feb 18, 2025
    Viy, Feb 18, 2025
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  4. Dorrian_Grey

    Dorrian_Grey It came to me in a dream Full Member

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    Sor Rungvisai beating Chocolatito and Estrada back to back is immensely impressive.
     
    Dorrian_Grey, Feb 18, 2025
    Dorrian_Grey, Feb 18, 2025
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  5. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Holyfield beating Tyson x2 is a good honourable mention.
     
    Dynamicpuncher, Feb 18, 2025
    Dynamicpuncher, Feb 18, 2025
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  6. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Nice thread idea.

    Of those you cite, Armstrong's is probably the greatest. Burley was smaller than Charles, whereas Ross was bigger than Armstrong. Frazier and Foreman don't rank as high on p4p lists as Ross and no higher than Ambers. Williams was a natural LW vs natural WW in Gavilan.

    Other notable include:

    Terry McGovern's wins over (admittedly a slightly fadded) ATG FW George Dixon and the much bigger borderline ATG LW Frank Erne.

    From a p4p perspectives:

    • The 5ft 7ins natural WW/MW Mickey Walker's B2B wins over HW contenders King Levinsky (23lbs heavier) and Paulino Uzcudun (27lbs heavier).

    • The 105lbs Jimmy Wilde over FW contender Joe Conn and ATG BW Joe Lynch. Can you imagine a fight between a Minimumweight and FW contender even being sanctioned today?!?

    • Sam Langfords B2B wins over the 37lbs heavier Sam McVea.
     
    Greg Price99, Feb 18, 2025
    Greg Price99, Feb 18, 2025
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  7. Viy

    Viy Member Full Member

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    Sam Langford also KO'd Harry Wills (7 inch difference in height) and defeated Sam McVea B2B in 1916 .
     
    Viy, Feb 18, 2025
    Viy, Feb 18, 2025
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  8. jdempsey85

    jdempsey85 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Way past his best Bobby Chacon with stunning victories over Bazooka & Boza
     
    jdempsey85, Feb 18, 2025
    jdempsey85, Feb 18, 2025
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  9. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Pacquiao beating Barrera (2) and JMM (2) back to back is pretty impressive.

    Andre Ward beating Carl Froch and Chad Dawson back to back is also worth mentioning as well.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Feb 18, 2025
    Flo_Raiden, Feb 18, 2025
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  10. Flash24

    Flash24 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Marvin Hagler's
    Thomas Hearns and John Mugabi where his greatest back to back victories.
     
    Flash24, Feb 18, 2025
    Flash24, Feb 18, 2025
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  11. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The first thing I thought of.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Feb 18, 2025
    MaccaveliMacc, Feb 18, 2025
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  12. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yes, that's probably a better example than I gave for him.
     
    Greg Price99, Feb 18, 2025
    Greg Price99, Feb 18, 2025
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  13. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Maybe not the greatest but Marvin Hagler's back to back wins over Tommy Hearns and John Mugabe deserve an honourable mention.
     
    dmt, Feb 18, 2025
    dmt, Feb 18, 2025
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  14. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Another hounorable mention would be Usyk beating a dangerous contender in Dubois followed by a unifying the heavyweight championship vs Fury.

    My overall pick is probably Ali's back to back wins over Frazier and Foreman.
     
    dmt, Feb 18, 2025
    dmt, Feb 18, 2025
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  15. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Michael Spinks's back to back wins over Marvin Johnson and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad are another hounourable mention.

    Also Carlos Monzon defending his title vs Benvenuti followed by Emile Griffith.
     
    dmt, Feb 18, 2025
    dmt, Feb 18, 2025
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