I don't know how long the tradition of having undercard fights has been the case in prize fighting but imagine it covers most the way back. Which card throughout history would you attend if you had a time machine?
Don King used to put on some great cards in the early 90s. He made up for Tyson`s absence by having guys like Julian Jackson/McCellean and a Felix Trinidad and even Terry Norris with Chavez headlining. Those were good days to be a boxing fan. Sometimes Azumah Nelson would be on the undercard.
I was lucky enough to attend a number of those great DKP cards. They don't make 'em like that these days. Bob Arum should be ashamed of himself for the **** he puts out.
Erik Morales vs. Manny Pacquiao I also featured an entertaining title tilt between Martin Castillo vs Eric Morel, as well as Jorge Arce vs. Hussein Hussein. The Arce vs. Hussein fight was a breath-taking, almost apocalyptic brawl. Arce won with his face sliced like a ripe tomato. That fight was also notable for the intensity of the combat compared to the subdued tone of the commentary: *(Arce lands a ten punch combination to the head and body as Hussein frantically fires back) Lampley: 'Body shot for Arce here in round five' *(Hussein fights his way out of a corner, punching like a piston) Jones Jr.: 'Hussein can land the right hand Jim...' Another good card was ESPN's lone pay per view: it featured Margarito-Cintron I, Shane Mosley, Calvin Brock-McCline (when McCline was still a meaningful test).
Hagler vs. Hearns. I would love to have been there. The most I saw of Hearns was two times. Hearns vs. Morton on Feb. 11, 1991, and Hearns vs. oh I forget his name. Fought him January of 1997 at the Forum again. The fighting grocer I think he was called.
yeah King put together a card once I think Duran fought on the card and Blocker and Norris. Different guys and all good fights.
George Parnassus LA card at Dodger Stadium - 3 championships 3/21/63 Roberto Cruz vs. Battling Torres Davey Moore vs. Sugar Ramos (Moore died as a result) Luis Rodriguez vs. Emile Griffith Mike Jacobs Carnival of Champions at the Polo Grounds NY - 4 championships 9/23/37 Lou Ambers vs. Pedro Montanez Barney Ross vs. Ceferino Garcia Marcel Thil vs. Fred Apostoli Sixto Escobar vs. Harry Jeffra Humberto Fugazy's Italian Hospital Charity card at the Polo Grounds NY 7/2/25 Harry Greb vs. Mickey Walker Harry Wills vs. Charley Weinert Dave Shade vs. Jimmy Slattery Joe Lynch vs. Jackie Sharkey
I was at the Moore-Duran fight in 83 and saw a great card. Resto-Collins was exciting and Escalera-Hatcher 2 was great. Then of course the main event. 6 yrs earlier I was in The Spectrum and saw a wae between Billy "Dynamite" Douglas and Matthew Franklin. Main event of Roberto Duran vs Edwin VIRUET 15. I tell ya, most of the Phillie and AC cards I WENT TO FROM EARLY 70S THRU 84 were pretty good with action scraps.
Arguably one of the best ever cards failed to come to fruition when the promoter Harold Smith was charged with embezzling $ 21 US M in funds from Wells Fargo. The card was set for Feb 81 at MSG. Ken Norton vs Gerry Cooney. Mathew Saad Muhammad vs Eddie Mustafa Muhammad LHW Unification WBA WW Champ Thomas Hearns vs Wilfred Benitez WBA LW Champ Hilmer Kenty vs Alexis Arguello WBC 122 lb Champ Wilfred Gomez vs Mike Ayala