Winning Rematches: Should they be given more credit?

Not hard to look better in rematches when your old, shopworn opposition is getting older and more shopworn.

 

Lennox Lewis looked pretty good in rematches.

 

Prime example SRL. Does anyone really care he won the Duran rematch?

 

Holyfield?

 

With Rocky it's tougher because he literally damaged man when he pounded on them. Especially Charles, and the later more swarmer version of a man.

I think his Walcott KO1 win tends to probably get a little underrated. Regardless of the circumstances, not many men KOed a HOF fighter in a rematch in the 1st round when the first fight was very close.

One thing with Louis that I think actually deserves more criticism is his lack of adaptability in first fights. Louis was awesome in rematches, which should be credited but he had trouble adapting to Maxie in that first fight dealing with the right hand counter he was eating all night. Just had no answer and no way to adjust. In some H2H fantasy world I have Louis very troubled against great smart ATG boxers. Unless he's ultra prepared/knowledgeable about those man. Maybe fighters should get more credit in the older days when they didn't know as much about the opponent (Or have as much film to access). Hmmm...

As for the thread. SRR fits the bill well.

 

I thought you were going for something completely different, Suzie. I was thinking you meant the rematch, after losing the first time when I read the thread title. In which case I would've said definitely yes. Winning a rematch of a fight you've already won though? Depends on the case very much. Like if the opponent is known for his adaptability and strategy or is in some way better than they were in the original. Winning a rematch against an Antonio Tarver-like fighter would be far more interesting than winning a rematch against a Juan Diaz-like fighter, I'd say.

 

In my opinion, yes. Assuming it is the same version and not a past-prime or shop-worn version. It shows an ability to adapt and come back from adversity.

 

Muhammad Ali was good in rematches too. Beating a still pretty awesome Joe Frazier in '74 and '75. Also Ken Norton,albeit closely.

 

None stand out where the fighter had won the first fight but had difficulty,possibly Jeffries against Corbett and Fitz ,but 3 years had elapsed so the credit must be diluted.
Fighters who lost the first but came back ? Patterson v Ingo
Walcott after losing 2 against Charles.
But ,as you say ,Louis and Marciano are pretty much the kings at this.

 

Fenech beating Nelson deserves some credit IMO

 

I think losing rematches shouldn't be judged as harshly as it sometimes is either, esp. against an opponent who was tough to beat first time out.

If you look at all the fighters who avoided rematches with tough fighters they already beat, I think risking the rematch should be credited, even if they lose.

 

My favorite Leonard performance was his rematch with Duran..the no mas thing was brilliant..and I never was a big Leonard fan, to put it mildly.

 

I guess I don't understand your question.

 

I have the same problem with Hagler, who also had trouble adapting in some initial encounters while smashing them in the rematch.

I like it a lot when fighters come back and win a rematch after being stopped. Lewis, Norris, Holyfield et al. Shows some real heart and guts.