Greatest/most heated heavyweight rivalry before Ali-Frazier?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Melankomas, Jan 27, 2026.


  1. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter

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    Who would you nominate? The standouts to me appear to be John L. Sullivan-Charlie Mitchell, Jim Corbett-Bob Fitzsimmons, Jeffries-Johnson and Louis-Schmeling (from what I’ve heard, there was a bit of overlooked bad blood there, Louis even wore shades of max getting KO’d)

    Im mainly looking for two fighters who publicly could not stand one another.
     
    Melankomas, Jan 27, 2026
    Melankomas, Jan 27, 2026
    #1
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  2. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Ali vs Liston for two fighters who publically went at one another.

    Johnson vs Jeffries and Louis vs Schmeling for wider social tension and historical significance.
     
    Greg Price99, Jan 27, 2026
    Greg Price99, Jan 27, 2026
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  3. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Legend has it Jim Barry is still trying to get a rematch with Langford in the afterlife.

    No idea what Langfords opinions on his opponents were but heres a fun fact. Langford has more rivalrys longer then Usyks HW career then Usyk has HW fights.
     
    HistoryZero26, Jan 27, 2026
    HistoryZero26, Jan 27, 2026
    #3
  4. KO KIDD

    KO KIDD Loyal Member Full Member

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    Paret and Griffifth
     
    KO KIDD, Jan 27, 2026
    KO KIDD, Jan 27, 2026
    #4
  5. quintonjacksonfan

    quintonjacksonfan Active Member Full Member

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    Saddler-Pep​
     
    quintonjacksonfan, Jan 27, 2026
    quintonjacksonfan, Jan 27, 2026
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  6. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    Walcott-Marciano underrated in this respect. Walcott publicly derided Marciano's ability and said that he would retire if Marciano beat him. Of course, that is exactly what happened, but not before giving Rocky a hell of a brutal fight.

    Louis-Schmeling.

    For one fight, Johnson-Jefferies, Nova-Galento, Baer-Schmeling, Baer-Galento
     
    catchwtboxing, Jan 27, 2026
    catchwtboxing, Jan 27, 2026
    #6