ESB Classic Greatest Boxing Performances Rankings

I had the idea to have a ESB Classic rank the best performances in boxing history. It could be a list of 10, 20, 25, or even 50 performances if we that's we decide (If we're brave enough). It can be ranked numerically or just a listed cut without rankings. I thought this would be fun... we could devise a system similar to Rumsfeld weight division ranking that's sticked on at the top.

Obviously, in any best performances listing greater opposition should be factored and the context surrounding the circumstances should count for something to (Like Duran vs Barkley for example, if you would want to nominate that), historical significance, whether you're moving up in weight, or winning the rematch, fighting for the title, or winning a fight when you're seen as too old, etc. But it's really all up to your own interpretation.

Everyone can just list nominations they think is worthy (This is just a rough draft, so don't be shy but try to name no more than 5... we don't want to get overloaded with nominations) so we can get this ball rolling (Without repeating already listed nominations) and then we can cut or vote the list down in some way I don't know yet. Open to any ideas. I'll start my nominations. Also bold the winner

Joe Frazier vs Muhammad Ali I (FOTC, 1971)
Jake LaMotta vs Sugar Ray Robinson II (1943)
Sugar Ray Robinson vs Jake LaMotta VI (1951)
Roberto Duran vs Sugar Ray Leonard I (Brawl in Montreal, 1980)
Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman (Rumble in the Jungle, 1974)
Willie Pep vs Sandy Saddler II (1949)
Roy Jones Jr vs James Toney (1994)
Pernell Whitaker vs Azumah Nelson (1990)
Jose Napoles vs Curtis Cokes I (1969)
Max Schemling vs Joe Louis I (1936)
Joe Louis vs Max Schemling II (1938
Ike Williams vs Beau Jack I (1948
Fighting Harada vs Eder Jofre I (1965)
Fighting Harada vs Eder Jofre II (1966)
Bernard Hopkins vs Felix Trinidad (2001)
Julio Cesar Chavez vs Edwin Rosario (1987)
Chan-Hee Park vs Miguel Canto I (1979)
Khaokor Galaxy vs Sung-Kil Moon II (1989)
Miguel Lora vs Daniel Zaragoza (1985)
Lionel Rose vs Fighting Harada (1968
Henry Armstrong vs Barney Ross (1938
Erik Morales vs Manny Pacquiao I (2005)
Ruben Olivares vs Lionel Rose (1969)
Ernesto Marcel vs Antonio Gomez III (1973)
Mike Tyson vs Michael Spinks (1988)
Mike Tyson vs Larry Holmes (1988)
George Foreman vs Joe Frazier I (1973)
Sugar Ray Leonard vs Marvin Hagler (1987)
Marvin Hagler vs Tommy Hearns (1985)
Roberto Duran vs Iran Barkley (1989)
Evander Holyfield vs Mike Tyson I (1996)
Evander Holyfield vs Riddick Bowe II (1993)
Gene Tunney vs Jack Dempsey I (1926)
Harry Greb vs Gene Tunney I (1922)

 

If this garner's attention I'd imagine the Duran-Leonard I performance would ranked somewhere in the top 10, probably in the top 5. Magnificent stuff. I think the other nominations are pretty solid too, especially Frazier against Ali and LaMotta against SRR (Even with the weight advantage).

 

No, they don't. One of my nominations isn't. I imagine most nominations would be from fights that we can view on film, and that's natural. I really don't know many fights that aren't on film besides the nomination I made that I would nominate. I don't know enough, frankly, but many on these corridors do. I'm sure a Charley Burley, Ezzard Charles, Harry Greb, or Willie Pep fight will surface in these discussions (If this threads takes off) that isn't on film.

My knowledge isn't good enough to conduct a list by myself either. Plenty people here surely are knowledgeable enough too. Some good nominations. I can list those ones unless you can think of betters ones to have for your nominations. I don't think Robinson/Basilio II is a better performance, but it can be argued and it certainly could be nominated. Robinson could get nominated more than once, as could guys like Ezzard Charles and Harry Greb.

 

Some great nominations. What is the Williams vs Jack fight? It's the Ike Williams vs Beau Jack fight, right? Which one?

 

Thank you, I am so ignorant when it comes to the little guys.