Fights you knew would be different in the rematch but never happened.

Salido-Lomachenko.
Tszyu-Phillips (but I do think Phillips wanted this but there was no real need for Tszyu)
Hagler-Leonard (had it been immediate even though Hagler was fading so was Ray & Hagler would start faster)

They come to mind right away.

 

Lennox Lewis clearly wanted no part with Vitali Klitschko in a rematch because he knew he knew he would lose this time if they fought again. Wise decision.

 

Wlad Klitschko seemed steamed up for the Fury rematch and he appeared to have the same epiphany about Fury, that Fury had had about Wilder. He was going to be aggressive and turn the taps on like he'd done in the 12th. Alas no second fight.

 

The rematch never happened, mostly because Lewis' own family convinced the champion to retire.
https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/07/...des-to-retire-while-still-reigning-champ.html

 

I always felt like a rematch between Douglas and Tyson could have been different, especially after seeing what tyson did against Ruddock and Douglas' horrible performances against holyfield.
I believe this "Little shot but motivated" Mike Tyson would have beaten that version of Douglas.

 

Ali vs Foreman 2 would have been different for sure, especially after the punishment and wars Ali's been through. Foreman really pushed for a rematch but Ali backed out. In a way it spared any further abuse to Ali's body.

 

I think Ali knew that he was lucky to get the win over Norton in their 3rd fight and wisely avoided a 4th fight

 

To be totally honest, these rematches remind me of these scratched record tireless threads that have been done over and over, meant to instigate. Sometimes you will get a fair rematch that is well deserved, then again, a repeat or a one sided fight that differs from the first match. A fight that comes to mind is the Aug 18 1979 tite bout between Matthew Saad Muhammad and John Conteh. John was befuddling Saad with his left jab and boxing skills. Then came round 14, then Saad scored the knockdown for a points win, the rematch in 1980 was a one sided knockout victory for Matthew Saad Muhammad. Then there is the example of Victor Galindez vs Mike Rossman on Sept 15 1978, Mike cut Victor to ribbons. but on April 14 1979, Galindez fought Rossman differently, won by TKO 9, winning back the WBA title.

 

I would have liked to see Leonard and Hearns run it back at 147.

 

Hagler - Leonard

Hagler would have went ballistic on him.

 

Ingo-Machen as I’m sure @choklab would agree.

 

Heavyweight Lineal Title Fights that come to mind: Corbett - Fitzsimmons. Baer - Braddock. Louis - Charles. Tyson - Douglas.

 

I always did feel Louis might’ve been able to beat Charles in a rematch (hope George doesn’t see this) even at that stage in his careers.