First major fight you watched entirely while being aware of it being a big fight?

First big fight that made me aware of it being a major event was Oscar de la Hoya vs Shane Mosley 1. I was only 9 years old and had very fond memories of the action and excitement it brought and it helped me fully appreciate the sport even more after seeing a boxing fight in its entirety.

 

The second Muhammad Ali-Henry Cooper fight 1966. I recall my dad being very excited hoping that 'Enery would land his 'Ammer on the champion like he did three years previously. We were all hoping that the Brit would become champion. We all listened to the bout on the radio and watched it on TV the following night. After Cooper lost my allegiance switched to Ali. So began my life as a fanatical Ali supporter.

 

Ali vs Shavers

 

That’s cool, I will always remember the fight, and clearly it ignited an interest for me. Ocasio was a good fighter but not large enough for heavyweight and too inexperienced for Holmes. Did you meet him later in his career?

 

First one I remember watching somehow willingly was Haye-Chisora, with mu father cheering for Derek. I disliked boxing back then.

The one I consciously tuned in for due to its importance was probably Canelo-Saunders.

 

Probably Hagler vs Leonard!

 

Leonard-Hearns 2, I think.

 

I think it was DAF Trucks sponsoring Minter.

 

Holmes vs Cooney

 

While we regularly watched on TV the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday Night fights going back to the 1950s, the very first big fight I remember watching was the Floyd Patterson - Brian London fight on May 1, 1959. I was 10 at the time and we watched it on my grandparents' black and white TV. I was happy that Patterson won, and the fight commentators' talk afterward centered on Patterson's next opponent the following month, some guy whose name I thought was Joe Hanson!

 

Watt v O'grady . I must of been about six .The rain and the blood !! my God that blood pumping out of O'grady Fore head !! Quite shocking as a young boy. My dad thought it was quite funny that Watt had stuck the but in .

 

The Brawl in Montreal. Due to my Dad and my older brother being boxing fans, I got caught up even though very young.

No aspersions on Ray but I was going for Duran, like my Dad.

Being well aware of Duran as a long term Lightweight Champion, Dad only needed to see what type of shape Roberto was in - when Duran peeled off his robe, my Dad said “He’s got this”.

Great memories.

 

I guess I'm younger than most here..... Not a big fight per se..... but the first antecipated fight that I can remember watching was Mike Tyson vs Peter McNeeley.