3 biggest boxing events to transcend the sport

Firstly, I agree with Hauser on his selections. I would have offered the same three. As for your question, much tougher assignment.

My kneejerk reaction is Foreman winning the title at such an advanced age as being one, and Pacquiao winning so many titles at so many weights being another.

 

By transcending the sport, of course, you mean where the man on the street was talking about the fight before it happened. Tough one post-Ali. I would say:

1) Holmes-Cooney -the hype was in overdrive for this
2) Duran - Leonard I - boxing was at such a peak at this time
3) Leonard- Hearns I - see above
4) Leonard - Hagler - see above
5) DeLaHoya-Trinidad - Mexicans and Puerto Ricans were galvanized for this one

Really can't think of too many that took the world by storm. Good subject though.

 

Joe louis vs max schmeling
muhammad ali vs george foreman
muhammad ali vs joe frazier 1

 

Norris-Leonard. At least in this household. I really learned a lot watching Norris take apart Leonard who was supposed to be the master. Terry even dominated the stare down, as Sugar was forced to look down, afraid he himself might fall prey to a psych out and not want Terry to know about it

But he gave himself away just by doing so and Terry exploited Sugar's main weakness, namely that he doesnt do well with other boxers.

Terry's speed was just exceptional that nite, piling up points in no time at all. Sugar saw the trouble early and changed tactics accordingly, trying now to force the fight.

This was the time Terry put his attack into the next gear, responding to & repelling Sugar with blindingly quick left rights almost too fast for the eye to follow, & too fast to defend against

a knockdown ensued, followed by a terrifying upercut in the third for which there can be no defense. The fight was over right then N there

The crowd grew silent, barely comprehending the monumentality of what their eyes were showing them. The show was pretty much over as Norris took round after round like a grown man taking candy from a baby.

I was appreciative of such exceptional performance as was my lovely wife. We both went home satisfied, then got into bed and became more satisfied in what could only be described as sexual mayhem, with a chorus of oohs & ahhs travelled throughout the nite sky

 

Tyson vs Holyfield 2 was huge

 

Frazier vs Ali, Ali vs Foreman, the emergence of Mike Tyson...

before that probably Jack Johnson, Dempsey and Mickey Walker.

in the Great Era, Jou Louis, then Post War Boxing, followed by the great SRR...

 

These are the three all right...gee, what a genius he is to come up with them:hey

 

Let me come up with a similar revelation...the most world popular, controversial heavyweight champion of all time was............

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I think historically Ali/FrazierI is fighting it out with Louis/SchmellingII for number one spot. With a few candidates for number 3. I would put forward Dempey/Carpentier for that debate.

But of a more recent vintage I would suggest Tyson/HolyfieldII.

I do this on the basis of I was watching an old 8 out of 10 cats (A British panel show), and one of the questions was: In a survey; what were the five biggest sporting events in history?

Yes the likes of the World Cup in 66 came up, but also that fight got into the top five. Now there is an obvious reason why many remember it, and clearly the build up was not on par with Ali/FrazierI or Louis/Schmelling. But despite not being on teresterial (Network) TV in the UK and with no Brits being involved, it is remembered by more people in that survey than the likes of any British boxing event and anything in football other than England winning the World Cup...

 

One fight that probably belongs with the three aforementioned, is Cribb Molineux II.

 

Tyson - Holy 2
Tyson - Lewis
Floyd - De La Hoya

Tyson v Holy 2 was mad. It was like everyone forgot Tyson got battered in the first fight and I'm pretty sure he was the favourite in the rematch.

Tyson Lewis was obviously huge.

Floyd - Oscar broke all the records and was two legendary champions facing off against each other.

 

- James Figg/Ned Sutton

- Jack Broughton/Jack Slack

- Jack Slack/William "The Nailer" Stevens


:rabbi

 

Didn't Eubank/Benn II get 1billion viewers?