Great fights to study

For heavyweights, Holmes-Shavers I.

An archetypal Bull/Matador scenario. It even has a dynamic, Holmes was on the verge of stopping Earnie at the very end.

Should be taught in Heavyweight Boxing classes.

 

Not the most exciting fight. But if one wants to see pure brilliance in a boxing ring for 15rds from BOTH fighters. And would like to see the difference from world class fighters from years past and today.
Look no farther than Leonard vs Benitez.
The skills displayed by both fighters are simply " Next level" Both men were finely tuned fighting machines fighting at their best weight in the prime of their careers.

 

An old Jesse James Leija putting it on the much younger, talented prospect Francisco Bojado. He showed great poise here, both technical and mental, especially on the inside. A perfect 'crafty veteran' study fight.

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Alot of Duran fights are great studies of his infighting. Palamino fight was a good one and they Barkley fight on how he adjusted. An underrated study is Duran Leonard 1. He took Ray's jab away and took him inside

 

Toney-McCallum (take your pick which one)

Duran-DeJesus III (probably the greatest quantum leap in style/skill/maturation in a fighter in a single fight that I’ve witnessed — this is where Duran graduated from ferocious tiger to cerebral assassin)

Bowe-Holyfield I (never seen a big guy fight so well on the inside)

Marco Antonio Barrera-Naseem Hamed (MAB turns from savage aggressor to slick boxer and completely defangs an awkward murderous puncher; complete take-him-to-school performance)

 

if a guy is going to be a fighter going to amateur shows is more beneficial than professional, since it is more realistic. Faster pace and yet more how it will be at first. Later they set down on their punches and learn the whole game. But if i had to pic fights, any champion who defended his titles and does things like overhand rights and check left hooks. I love the Curry vs. McCallum fight I never knew why. Even look at Duran vs. Moore.. Why Davey Moore slugged with Duran. He got in good punches, but it almost gave him false confidence and Duran hurt him in round 2.. You don't give top fighters any weakness. Mike vs. Donald. Mike didn't take long to see Donald was backing straight up.

 

Pep v Chavez - just looking at pep's feet is carzy. Changeing stances in a crouch, the angle and his ability to punch backwards are all show cased.

Hagler v brisco - brisco wasn't near his best, but was very agressive and game. haglers ability to jab and move show brilliantly how to deal with agression.

I'm cheating but in general l Howard Winston is fascinating to watch just to see his ability to move and take punches on his guard.

 

Ajagba vs Harper

 

Would be mine to if he didn't waste so many years after the detached retina issue. He certainly had the skills, physicality, and toughness to be the GOAT.
I'm in the minority but I believe he beats Hagler as early as 82-83.... Hell, Duran told him that after he fought Hagler, and who would be the better judge of ability of both fighters. Roberto Duran or some of the angry venomous posters on this site lol.

 

Your list astounds me, it's so good....but...having said that, I would most surely have to include Monzon-Valdez 2 and if there was a clean, decent film of it, Jose Napoles vs Fmile Griffith.

 

To be fair anything with Monzon and Griffith is worth studying provided they’re not totally green. Even a shot Griffith could’ve taught us some things. Monzon is a really good pick, always in control and there are clues to why he was but I’m not clever enough to say.

 

Well, I'm not clever enough either,...especially when dealing with those vacuous little newborn turtledoves like markant, Lord Poopydoopy and the perpetually unknowing types like Cleneloalvarez. etc.,