Billy Conn vs Joe Louis - The Best Losing Performance?

Duran and Hagler ?

Only man in his entire reign to go 15 rounds with Marvelous.

A former lightwt against one of the greatest ever natural MWs.
And a three year age advantage to the champ

And the fight was close.

 

Erik Morales vs Marco Antonio Barrera I.

There were whispers that Barrera could upset Erik, but Morales went into that fight as almost as 4-1 favorite as voiced by Merchant and Top Rank commentators. It was perceived as the new young king dethroning the old aging king, and what transpired was a fiercely competitive fight that will live in the memory of everyone who saw it. Many believe Barrera won but he wasn't given the verdict. Much like Duran's effort against Hagler, which was no doubt a tougher assignment, Barrera came out a moral victor.

Michael Nunn vs James Toney
Thomas Hearns vs Sugar Ray Leonard I
Jorge Arce vs Michael Carbajal
Michael Moorer vs George Foreman

 

This one takes the cake.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3aktPchPes[/ame]

 

Jung Koo Chang vs Muangchai Kittikasem.

Past prime Chang fights for the WBC strap at Flyweight. He knocks Kittikasem down 3 times in the final round and when he goes for the finish he gets stopped himself. The fight was very close, but that was a very good performance considering Chang was at the very end of his career and had already gone through a retirement.

 

Well We're not mind-readers, my man.

What you posted was:

" Try listing fighters that were clear underdogs that ended up having the fight and then losing it. "

No, I don't agree and neither does Hagler.

In a recent interview he stated that Duran came to fight.

And yes, the fight was close.

Clear but close.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrs65JZzMIk[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-8ZyHDYTXI[/ame]

 

Hindsight is 20-20.

In retrospect, maybe he gave Duran a little too much respect. But he was aslo being a little cautious. Tommy's KO of Roberto hadn't happened yet and no one had ever stopped Duran (Leonard 2 was NOT a true stoppage).

Marvin wasn't certain how things would go. And in a recent interview (still in the BOXING GIRL archives), he stated flatly that Duran came to engage, unlike Leonard.

I haven't watched the entire fight since the night it happened, but I had it much closer than that. 8-7 or 9-6, maybe.

There were a lot of close rounds.

One judge gave it to Hagler by two rounds, and both the other two had a margin of one round.

 

How about Arguello/Pryor ?

Alexis put on a brilliant performance but got KO'd late.

(Maybe with some liquid help ?)

 

I'm not so sure. People make it out as if Conn was boxing Louis' ears off for 12 rounds, and then got wild and that Louis hit him with one shot and it was all over. It was a competitive boxing match the whole way, with Louis cutting off the ring very effectively whilst maintaining poise and balance and timing Conn on the way in. It was basically Conn's speed that was allowing him to get the better of it; he was that bit quicker to the punch most rounds and landing that right lead off a jab feint. But Louis was having his moments and closing Conn down nicely, and when the fight got to the inside he mostly just manhandled the guy.

I only actually had Conn a single round up going into the 13th. Associated Press had him leading by 4. One of the scorecards had it even. So I don't think I have an entirely unreasonable view. It seemed that Conn was getting in with the flashy flurries but Louis was doing a lot of heavy, subtle but consistent work that was keeping him in there. In the middle rounds, he just didn't throw anything and allowed Conn to essentially outwork him, and ended up trailing.

And it wasn't like he pulled the KO out of nowhere. If you look closely, it was actually a right hand catching Conn coming in that started it all. Conn had been smashing Louis with the lead left hook from the outside time and time again, but this time Louis spotted it coming and threw a straight right over the top. That started it all, and it didn't take long for Louis' finishing instincts to take over as he broke Conn down until he was open for the final two blows. As methodical a knockout as you'll see, certainly not a Froch-esque, last-gasp, pull-the-rabbit-out-of-the-hat one.

So I don't think Louis/Conn I merits inclusion, sorry.

 

As well as Arguello performed, I had him down by 4-5 rounds at the time of the stoppage. I can't understand how the commentary team had a near even fight, and I came to the conclusion that Greg is either an Alexis fanboy or he can't score fights competently. He also had the fight razor close.