Most gallant heavyweight title losing fight?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, May 18, 2017.


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  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    3 heavy weight fights where the champ lost but put up a great fight. All different to a degree but the common theme is is the champion battling to hold on to the title but failing.
    Jersey Joe Walcott v Marciano.
    Up against the rock challenging him for the belt, dropping him in the first and keeping ahead until the famous 13 th. Jersey put up the fight of his life against the unstoppable younger man.

    Ken Norton v Larry holmes.
    One of the most two sided heavyweight title fights ever. Ken battled holmes to a split decision. The 15 th round is one of the most exciting ive seen.

    Holyfield V bowe.
    Riddick bowe, the younger heavier man became the first guy to defeat holy in one of the greatest heavy weight fights seen. Holyfield never gave up trying to turn the fight around and gained new respect for his warriors heart.

    So question is. Who out of the three guys put up the most gallant fight but ultimately losing?

    Walcott?
    Norton?
    Holyfield?
     
    Fergy, May 18, 2017
    Fergy, May 18, 2017
    #1
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  2. Smokin Bert

    Smokin Bert Boxing Addict Full Member

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    All three are excellent choices. But I gotta go with Holyfield here. So outmatched in almost every meaningful category (height, weight, reach, age, power). Yet despite taking horrendous punishment from Bowe, Holy kept coming back and making it an epic 2 way battle. And then to not only request a rematch, but, to win the rematch shows what championship heart Holyfield had. Holyfield may not be the perfect fighter, but, if I were building the perfect fighter, he sure would have Holyfield's heart.
     
    Smokin Bert, May 18, 2017
    Smokin Bert, May 18, 2017
    #2
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  3. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    At the risk of being accused of worshipping him yet again ,I'd say Johnson's effort against Willard should be mentioned here.
    Also Big Jess's defence against Dempsey .
    Ali v Frazier 1?
    Burns gutsy if doomed effort against Johnson.
    Dempsey walking into Tunney's jab all night ,still trying at the end though nearly blind from swollen and cut eyes . Frazier getting up time and again against the monster hitting Foreman.
    Gallantry seems to be the rule rather than the exception in this case!
     
    mcvey, May 18, 2017
    mcvey, May 18, 2017
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  4. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    At the risk of being accused of worshipping him yet again ,I'd say Johnson's effort against Willard should be mentioned here.
    Also Big Jess's defence against Dempsey .
    Ali v Frazier 1?
    Burns gutsy if doomed effort against Johnson.
    Dempsey walking into Tunney's jab all night ,still trying at the end though nearly blind from swollen and cut eyes . Frazier getting up time and again against the monster hitting Foreman.
    Gallantry seems to be the rule rather than the exception in
    Nicely put.
     
    mcvey, May 18, 2017
    mcvey, May 18, 2017
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  5. Contro

    Contro Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tyson vs Douglas and Tyson vs Holyfield 1 hasnt been mentioned, although Douglas fight wasnt that competitive and the Holyfield fight wasnt for the lineal title. Tyson took an incredible beating against Douglas
     
    Contro, May 18, 2017
    Contro, May 18, 2017
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  6. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Fergy, May 18, 2017
    Fergy, May 18, 2017
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  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    And no idea what I did wrong there. Lol
     
    Fergy, May 18, 2017
    Fergy, May 18, 2017
    #7
  8. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    I do it all the time, but I'm excused because Dempsey 1234 says I'm senile!
     
    mcvey, May 18, 2017
    mcvey, May 18, 2017
    #8
  9. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Oh yes, the war of words. It's been like fight night on here lately lol!
     
    Fergy, May 18, 2017
    Fergy, May 18, 2017
    #9
  10. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I agree 100% here. Great post, Bert! But when I 1st started to read the intro of the thread, before I got to the choices, the one that sprang to mind was the Thrilla in Manilla.
     
    Clinton, May 18, 2017
    Clinton, May 18, 2017
    #10
  11. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    That's a great fight Clint but I wanted the thread to be about the losing party been the champ. The battle to hold on to the belt. All three were champ s but went down fighting. Jersey came so close till Rock got him. Norton pushed holmes to the final bell. Holyfield never came as close to winning as the other two but battled like a warrior against bowe. Frazier s right up there with a warrior s heart but he was the challenger. But I get where your coming from pal.
     
    Fergy, May 18, 2017
    Fergy, May 18, 2017
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  12. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    No worries.
     
    mcvey, May 18, 2017
    mcvey, May 18, 2017
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  13. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Apologies for the misunderstanding my friend
     
    Clinton, May 18, 2017
    Clinton, May 18, 2017
    #13
  14. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Brewster against Liakovich
     
    NoNeck, May 18, 2017
    NoNeck, May 18, 2017
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  15. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    No problem Clint. I've lost count how many times I've done the same!
     
    Fergy, May 18, 2017
    Fergy, May 18, 2017
    #15
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