Greatest losing performance you've ever seen?

hell yeah he was, it is sad now seeing him getting sparked by journeymen, but that night he was willing to walk through fire, it was just much too much for him.

 

Took the words right of my mouth...Vitali showed the world he was world class that night..Performace for the ages.

 

Dawson-Johnson I
-Johnson displayed a good display of toughness.

Mtagwa-Lopez
Big George Foreman-Holyfield

 

Duran-Leonard 1 is the only answer to this question.

Leonard was seen as a flashy golden boy who danced on his twinkle-toes, Duran was seen as the rampant rampaging beast... and Leonard stood in the trenches with him for 15 brutal rounds.

Leonard deservedly lost on the cards, but he proved to be far greater than anyone thought possible.

 

Sticking with the original thrust of the question, I am mightily impressed when i watch a tape of Jimmy Ellis lose a well contested decision to the Fearsome Rubin Harricane Carter.

At the Time Jimmy was a Skinny 22year old, weighing just over Lt-Middle in fact, and had under 20 Fights, so a relative learner still, Rubin of course chilled the blood of many an opponent evan before the first bell, and was coiming off of spectacular 1st round ko's over Florentino Fernandez and Emile Grittith, Many feared for the Skinny Louisville Learner

Well, Jimmy Boxed beautifully off the back foot, and was not flustered at all by the advancing mongolian looking dreadnought. on occassion young Jimmy pushed Rubin Back and started launching that embryonic dangerous right Hand, Once the Blastout was not coming, Rubin had to change tatics somwhat, and started using an excellant Left Jab, to keep Jimmy in check from long Range, Jimmy tasted the canvas from a left hook later in the fight, but amazinglt stayed completely unflustered,

Ultimately Rubin ran out a winner, But Young Skinny Jimmy showed a promise that he indeed was to live up to.

 

Ali vs Frazier all fights.

 

Paul Briggs losing to Adamek twice. He left everything he had in the ring in those fights, including his integrity.

 

How in the hell could I forget about Adamek-Cunningham!

Steve put a damn good fight...If it wasnt for those KD he may have won! Very underrated fight that has been forgotten by some!

 

Gatti - Mayweather