Greatest Level of Skill Shown in a Fight from Both Fighters

laaaa hooo zaaaa herrrr

 

It hard to look past F.O.T.C.

 

A lot of Leonard mentions, but no one else thinks Leonard - Hagler?

 

Duran - Leonard I

 

I still stand by Pastrano-Johnson...two relatively unlauded boxing/defensive wizards of the past who pretty much traded on their scientific/artistic prowess since it was pretty much unnatural for either of them to provide the knuckle-busting, nose flattening type of slugging matches that thrill so many fans. Their forte was pure skill and their 1963 lightheavyweight title fight was either an epic bore to the slugfest fans or a delight to the ones who appreciate the art of boxing. These guys were doing what they specialized in. Pastrano was from the artistic side and Johnson tended to be more technical/scientific, but both were highly skilled masters of the sweet science.

 

If Prince Hamed had even a modicum of skill I would include for example the MAB-Hamed fight, but as it was, ALL the skill between those two fighters was possesed by Barrera..and a masterful exhibit of boxing class and skill if there ever was one.

 

Leonard/Duran 1 and its not even close.

 

FMM vs ODLH

 

Good pick.

I'll add-

Ali vs. Frazier I and III

Anybody see Stevie Johnston vs. Angel Manfredy? Manfredy fought very well even though Johnston clearly won.

 

Ezzard Charles Vs Joe Louis

 

Salvador Sanchez Vs Wifredo Gomez

 

Alexis Arguello Vs Ruben Olivares

 

Roberto Duran Vs Ken Buchanan

 

Muhammad Ali Vs Floyd Patterson I

 

Not a good example...their rematch in '72 was closer to what the thread implies. The first match in '65, with Ali's title on the line was a pathetic mismatch, with a back-hobbled Patterson serving as little more than a victim for a sadistic, vindictive Ali, who was righteously offended at Patterson calling him "Clay" and set out to torture Floyd for being a "Tom"..as it was, which was pretty much bull****.