Best fight of 1986

Hagler-Mugabi; Marvin hadn’t been taken to the limit like that in a long time. Mugabi was tough and Hagler had to dig deep … fascinating to watch his steady dismantling of a younger, tougher opponent. Great win.

 

This is the one right here, boys.

 

I still contend that fight largely ruined both fighters. A helluva scrap tho.

Camacho - Rosario got to be up there, too.

 

Camacho was too negative after getting rocked by Rosario in the 5th and didn't or land much leather after that round, he back-pedaled too much.

 

Re: Hagler/Mugabi - yep, ruined ‘em both. And THAT’S when Leonard decided he could beat Hagler.

Marvin really should have walked away after Mugabi. Nobody would have blamed him, he’d beaten everyone of note. Same as Ali after Manila … but the huge payday - and a shot at revenge after the bull**** game Ray pulled with his “it’ll never happen” speech in Maryland - were too much to let pass by. Too bad. His best outcome would have been beating a guy fighting over his weight class who hadn’t been in the ring in three years. Instead, a loss to a guy who abandoned the belt as soon as he won it. No wonder Hagler walked away.

 

Camacho became gun shy after getting rocked by Rosario.

 

Said Skouma had another cracking fight for the EBU belt in 1986.

Was punished for 3 rounds looking like he might get stopped by Alfonso Redondo (Spain) before coming back with an emphatic 4th round ko.

McCallum was next for poor Said!

This content is protected

 

For me it's Qawi vs Holyfield. As a kid, I was wrapped up in the 84' Olympics and a huge fan of Evander. At the same time, I did not like Qawi not because of his ability but because I was fan of the Spinks brothers. Going into it, folks were unsure if Evander was ready for such big step up that early in his career but he showed that he was more than ready. The fight was an all-time classic. It's funny how as time has gone by, Qawi has become one of my favorites.

 

Holyfield-Qawi I

 

I know it wasn't a ' best fight ' as such, but Honeyghan V Curry sticks in my mind from 86 .

 

That was good one and one of the best upsets for sure.

 

I really enjoyed McGuigan-Cruz. That one was a big deal back in the UK in 1986. I still remember the news the next day showing that he’d lost, which was a big shock to everyone.