Most anticipated fight in history?

I think that it has to be Ali-Frazier I as well. Ali was arguably the first global superstar and as such this event de facto eliminates all the previous due to those fights not having a global appeal.

As for Leonard-Hagler that was the only fight outside of HW that I believe is worthy of consideration. Again it's the global perspective that comes in here and Leonard in particular but also Hagler was well known and popular figures even among mainstream sportsfans. It is my belief that Leonard and Hearns at the time they fought, did not have the popularity that was the case for Hagler and Leonard. Everybody knew that Leonard was living his dream and trying to do the impossible.

 

I considered it but found that Ali-Frazier I topped that match-up quite clearly.

 

Agreed.

Also on the Louis-Schmeling fight I reckon the interest was probably great in the traditional boxing countries (USA and GB) as well as in Germany. I doubt the matchup captivated the general public in other countries.

 

Perhaps Hagler-Hearns yes, but again I figured that Leonard-Hagler quite clearly was more anticipated.

 

I agree about the mismatch part. That was the way it was perceived among the hardcore fans. Where I live the namerecognition was the decisive factor. Leonard in particular was huge over here and everybody, even the casual sportsfan, knew that this was a big fight.

Hagler-Hearns had less appeal. I had to talk and hype the fight to get my friends to get into it lol.


Of course things can be perceived differently from the place you live.