Fights where the two best fighters in the world squared off

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by sweet_scientist, Feb 9, 2008.


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  1. sweet_scientist

    sweet_scientist Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Let's name some fights where the no.1 and no.2 guys p4p have squared off in the history of the sport.

    They don't have to have been the no.1 or no.2 officially, they could be who you personally feel were the two best fighters in the world. E.g. Roy Jones vs. James Toney could qualify if you felt they were better than Pernell Whitaker in 1994.

    But they have to have been no.1 and no.2 at the time they faced off. So for e.g. Floyd Mayweather vs. Oscar de la Hoya wouldn't qualify (unless you still consider DLH to be top 2 p4p and if you do seek help).
     
    sweet_scientist, Feb 9, 2008
    sweet_scientist, Feb 9, 2008
    #1
  2. Senya13

    Senya13 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Chavez - Whitaker, I suppose.
     
    Senya13, Feb 9, 2008
    Senya13, Feb 9, 2008
    #2
  3. Senya13

    Senya13 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Barney Ross - Henry Armstrong
     
    Senya13, Feb 9, 2008
    Senya13, Feb 9, 2008
    #3
  4. Senya13

    Senya13 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Harry Greb - Mickey Walker (as Benny Leonard had retired by this point).
     
    Senya13, Feb 9, 2008
    Senya13, Feb 9, 2008
    #4
  5. sweet_scientist

    sweet_scientist Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Good calls.

    How about Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Tommy Hearns in 1981? Was Hagler better than Hearns there? Probably not officially, but he might have been in actuality.
     
    sweet_scientist, Feb 9, 2008
    sweet_scientist, Feb 9, 2008
    #5
  6. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    With previous number 1 Gomez beaten by Sanchez the month (if memory serves me) JUST before Hearns and Leonard faced off this can indeed be seen as 1 vs 2. At the start of 1981 it was

    1. Gomez
    2. Leonard
    3. Hearns
    4. Hagler
    5. Arguello
     
    JohnThomas1, Feb 9, 2008
    JohnThomas1, Feb 9, 2008
    #6
  7. Lobotomy

    Lobotomy Guest

    Hagler and Hearns are a pairing which could be kicked around, as was Pryor/Arguello I. Joe Gans/Barbados Joe Walcott might be yet another. For purists, Archie Moore/Harold Johnson may hold some appeal.

    Wilfredo Gomez was described by some as having no known weaknesses before he disintegrated at the hands of Sanchez. An earlier such superfight Gomez participated in was his own dismantling of Zarate.
     
    Lobotomy, Feb 9, 2008
    Lobotomy, Feb 9, 2008
    #7
  8. SteveO

    SteveO MSW Full Member

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    Ali-Frazier I
     
    SteveO, Feb 9, 2008
    SteveO, Feb 9, 2008
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  9. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Hagler - Hearns is a great mention, but Pryor - Arguello can't cut it. The Arguello fight made Pryor and he was bottom half of the top 10 going in while Arguello himself wasn't top 2 either. Hagler at the time was undoubtably ranked ahead of both and the likes of Holmes and Spinks were ahead of Pryor and on many lists Arguello.
     
    JohnThomas1, Feb 9, 2008
    JohnThomas1, Feb 9, 2008
    #9
  10. PH|LLA

    PH|LLA VIP Member Full Member

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    Were JCC & Taylor recognized as the 2 best fighters in the world at the time?

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    PH|LLA, Feb 9, 2008
    PH|LLA, Feb 9, 2008
    #10
  11. sweet_scientist

    sweet_scientist Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    With Douglas recently beating Tyson I'd say they were.

    With Roy Jones recently losing by DQ to Montell Griffin I'd say DLH and Whitaker were no.1 and 2, though I'm not sure Whitaker should have been considered that high up the p4p talbes when he was struggling with the Riveras and Hurtados of the world.
     
    sweet_scientist, Feb 9, 2008
    sweet_scientist, Feb 9, 2008
    #11
  12. Sardu

    Sardu RIP Mr. Bun: 2007-2012 Full Member

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    Duran-Leonard I, Leonard-Hearns II, Hagler-Hearns
     
    Sardu, Feb 9, 2008
    Sardu, Feb 9, 2008
    #12
  13. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Jones stayed at number 2, Griffin didn't break the top 10, Trinidad was 3 and Whitaker 4.
     
    JohnThomas1, Feb 9, 2008
    JohnThomas1, Feb 9, 2008
    #13
  14. RoccoMarciano

    RoccoMarciano Blockbuster Full Member

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    Hagler-Hearns.

    Anybody that could take it to Hagler at that point in time, if even for a short period, must have been one of the best in the world.

    That's the only compliment Hearns will ever receive from me!
     
    RoccoMarciano, Feb 9, 2008
    RoccoMarciano, Feb 9, 2008
    #14
  15. sweet_scientist

    sweet_scientist Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    That would make sense. :good

    With Hoya # 1?
     
    sweet_scientist, Feb 9, 2008
    sweet_scientist, Feb 9, 2008
    #15
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