If you could watch any fight from history, and not know the outcome?

I assume you mean, which fight would I watch live? Definitely Greb vs Walker.

 

Bob Fitzsimmons vs James Jeffries II

 

If we're talking a prospective fight that never happened, I would've wanted to see our hometown hero Jesse James Hughes get a title shot against Felix Trinidad here in Mobile or see Matthew Saad Muhammad travel to Rahway to defend his title against James Scott (although I would've definitely wanted to stay in the visitors section).

If we're talking about reliving a fight from the past and getting to be there firsthand without knowing the outcome, I'd say either the Fight of the Century in MSG (Ali-Frazier I) or Leonard-Hearns I. Those seem like they would've been the most exciting to attend in real time if I could go back.

 

I was a big Jesse James Hughes fan and met him a couple of times (went down to Mobile for some of those Monday night shows they did at I think the fairgrounds). Hate how it ended for him.

Would loved to have seen him get his shot but guys like Trinidad were a bridge too far.

Pete Taliaferro came close against Philip Holiday, though — didn’t he dropped him twice?

Ah, the good old days. Mobile has a nice boxing history what that Hughes/Yonker/Taliaferro era and the previous one a couple generations before with Gene Wells and Jack Tillman.

And you’re right about being specific about that ringside seat in Rahway — make sure they didn’t tell you it’s a bed and breakfast, haha.

 

Ali - Liston II. This is a can't-miss! Small arena, great views of the ring. The great Jersey Joe Walcott as referee! Liston was ready to go before the November scheduled bout. Just imagine how much better rested and prepared he's going to be. And Ali... no way will he be sharp after a hernia operation and 15 months off. Or will he? Regardless, it should be a GREAT FIGHT! I can't wait!!!

 

Carbajal vs Gonzales, Taylor vs Chavez

 

Jeffries had fought 8 months earlier ,against Ruhlin .Fitzsimmons hadn't fought for 2 years!

 

SRR - Kid Gavilan 2
Ray Robinson was unbeaten at 147 but Kid Gavilan had run him close the first time and would be maturer this time round.
Two of the most skilled WWs ever, great stamina, high activity and exciting styles by both, for 15 rounds knowing there is barely a chance that either gets stopped!

 

Dude, we got you a seat at ringside right next to Nat Fleischer!

 

I'd pick one from the 1700's I think, just to see what it was like.

 

I would go for the "Rumble in the Jungle", as my boxing hero Ali was up against the absolute destroyer of both Norton and Frazier, Foreman coming into bout with record 40 bouts 40 wins, 37 of which by stoppage.
Ali had a plan to beat "The Mummy" just we mere mortals not aware of it prior to bout

 

This would have been amazing to watch live, not knowing how it would finish. I'd have started off pretending not to care or be interested then get increasingly excited as Foreman unravelled. I'd have been going 'Get off the ropes' in the early rounds then changing my tune by about round 4 to 'Let him hit you, Ali. He's losing steam.' I'm not sure Ali had the plan prior to the bout, though. I'd say it was improvisation, rather than a plan, that us mere mortals couldn't conceive.

In my lifetime, I'd have loved to see Tyson-Holyfield 1 without knowing the outcome and believing, as I did at the time, that a) Tyson was a wrecking machine once again and b) that Holy was shot to pieces.

I really liked Evander but I feared for him before the bout. I'd have spent the first two rounds behind the sofa, the next three watching thinking 'whatever happens, Evander hasn't been embarrassed'. Then, I'd have spent the next two or three rounds going 'Hang on a minute. What's going on here?'.

And, finally, I'd have been going ape down the stretch as Evander produced the finish none of us - except Ron Borges, of course - would have dreamed to be possible before the fight. We forget, having seen Mike's career go so horribly wrong after the fight while Evander had a bit of an Indian summer, just what an upset this was at the time.