Most anticipated fight in history?

I go with Johnson-Jeffries. This fight was not only about the world championship but much more. You could say the same for Louis-Schmeling II. But Johnson and Schmeling are two of my fav hws and only one of them won.

 

It must be the Fight of the Century 1971.

 

This.

It sure lived up to it's great expectations too.

 

Fight of the century by a mile the racism and bad blood involved. A man fighting for his country vs a black muslim millitant a loving family man vs a womaniser. Good vs Evil.

 

Both Ali and Frazier were womanisers Alex.

 

Im not old enough to really appreciate how sought after these fights were. In my time its probablys been Lewis-Tyson although I think Pac-Mayweather has eclypsed this. I voted for Ali-Frazier as they were both unbeaten world champs and people wanted to see who the real champ was.
Ive read alot about Johnson-Jeffries, it appears that this fight was huge also with the majority of White people wanting Jeffries to come out of retirement and bring the title back to white America.
Wasnt Leonard-Hearns very sought after too.

 

Probably Ali/FrazierI but Schmeling/LouisII would run it very close.

The fight would of been bigger in Germany/Austria than Ali/FrazierI, and boxing was huge in the States at the time.

 

Ive been a student of boxing and its history for over 30 years and i have to go with Ali-Fraizer, although i was only 9 months old when they fought so i didnt get to experience the anticipation.

Since ive been a fan though id have to say i was very anxious to see ODLH- Trinidad and what a bull**** decision that was....... I remember Duran-Leonard and Hearns-Leonard being also being highly anticipated although i was a newbie fan back then..... Oh yeah i remember Holmes-Cooney being highly anticipated that has to be right there.


I notice Hagler- Leonard up there but there were other fights more anitcipated, both were huge superstars but everyone though Hagler was gonna kill him, including me.. I remember thinking Hagler was gonna stop him in the mid rounds. Thats what made Leonards win so impressive.... Chavez-Whittaker was another one i highly anticipated................. Think If Manny and Floyd ever fight its gonna be way up there too.

 

Louis-Schmeling II and Ali-Frazier I are 1 and 1a in my opinion.

 

Haye-Harrison, closely followed by Klitschko-Chisora

 

Ali-Foreman should've been included in the poll.

 

The FOTC was THE fight in my lifetime.....it has to be that one and the 2nd Louis/Schmeling fight in 1938

 

Bernard Hopkins vs. Robert Allen III

 

It's got to be Ali-Frazier 1st - Earlier Great Fights were pretty much National Attractions, Maybe Louis -Schemling II appealed to the "Industrial Nations" - but real time communications were limited, Ali Frazier coming along in the era of Satellite communications went Global. Communist Countries were captivated, African nations observed these warriors, and Muslim Nations had a vested interest, And everyone from old people shopping to children in school playgrounds were arguing the winner. - all prompted by two great fighters, both undefeated, and both a complete contrast in styles, the world held its breath on March 8th 1971.

Ali vs Foreman and Holyfield Vs Tyson were, wrongly or rightly, deemed by most to be sad mismatches at the time, and held little of the Global anticipatory magic of that 1st Ali-Frazier meeting.