That's one opinion though. That's yours, and everyone has their own taste. Some feel that action level/close competition/drama are more important to making a great fight than the quality of the fighters. Others like you put more emphasis on the quality of the fighters. I feel that although Matthew Saad Muhammad and Marvin Johnson are lesser fighters than Alexis Arguello and Aaron Pryor respectively, that their first fight was better than Pryor-Arguello 1. Yvon Durelle is no great, but his first fight with Archie Moore is extremely high on my list of great fights. It's just different taste. Gatti-Ward 1 is not that high on my list, but if someone says it's their opinion on the greatest fight ever, so be it. It's not as if they're saying Judah-Witter or Tyson-Smith is the top fight ever. Of course, it does help to have skills and still be world class, even if you're not an ATG like El Flaco. Sloppiness does make me like a real violent fight a little less (Sithatchawal-Monishpour and Mtagwa-Villa come to mind). Also, I don't want to be cruel since the man just dies, but I don't know about Arturo being such a great person anyway. He had his demons and ugly side, which may have played a role in his death.
everyone's opinion is different. some people like different fights. for me the humanity and the humility shown by these two in the first fight, the bravery, the honour, the back and forth ebb and flow put it above all others. were they the best fighters? no. but there's was a battle waged on equal footing with no quarter asked and none given. they put it all on the line in a way very few other fighters could or would. no title. no millions. just two men trying to be the one standing at the end. the 9th round is the greatest three minutes in boxing history. i weep every time i see it and in larry's words, am humbled by what i see in that ring. those were men in every sense of the word and I honour what they did. it is the greatest fight of our time, of all time, of any time. God bless micky ward and God bless arturo gatti
Gatti/Ward Arguello/Pryor Hagler/Hearns Benn/McClelland Corrales/Castillo all great fights. All deserve credit. Anyone remember that fight on ESPN many years ago? Locicero and Lee? Another great fight. Nigel Benn fought Iran Barkley in 1990 and had it not been for the 3 knockdown rule, that fight would have continued wild into round 2.
ISn't it crazy to think of what Merchant and Steward said during that fight? "Round of the Century" from Steward about round 9 and that it "Humbled" larry Merchant. That's two guys with about 100 years combined experience with boxing. That's saying something.
absolutely. steward was giddy, overcome with what he was seeing. it's kind of a lame trick but every woman i date i make watch this fight in the hopes that they'll become boxing freaks. the wife has seen it about 10 times now and really appreciates what went on in that 9th round. ward is my favourite fighter all time, but gatti isn't that far behind.
I do the same with literally anyone who comes into my house who asks me about boxing. It's going to be difficult to watch that again, and I watched it at least once every couple of months. Damn difficult.
i hear you man. every fight he was in was a classic...and knowing he's gone makes them so much harder to watch. if i cried watching gatti/ward BEFORE you have no idea what it's gonna be like from now on...
If you don't get chills from the 9th, you're watching the wrong sport. Matter of fact, if you don't get chills from rd. 9 of this fight, sports probably just aren't your thing. Something that doesn't involve competition, guts, heart, fortitude or sheer bravery is probably more suited for people like that.
Gatti vs Ward 1 was clearly a great fight but clearly it wasn't even close of greatest of all times. Gatti was indeed a warrior no doubt and a class act but he was never came close as a great fighter. He was just a good c level fighter that has some great fights like the Ward one but when he face top fighters, he always lose.
I understand that you disagree, and why, but like I told the someone else who pulled that card, take it somewhere else, man; this isn't a debate thread.
i agree but we're not talking the best FIGHTERS but the best fight. Oscar-Mayweather, Hagler-Leonard, Holyfield-Tyson all featured better FIGHTERS but their fights were nowhere near this class. These warriors were almost equal in all ways and fought with every breath they had, which can't be said for the fighters listed above
I'm not making as an debate. I'm just stating my opinion. Gatti was a warrior but he wasn't even close as a great fighter. Thats cool that you think Gatti vs Ward 1 is the greatest of all times but i just way disagree.