Most gallant heavyweight title losing fight?

Out of these three, it's got to be Holyfield. He was clearly losing while Norton was equal on the cards going into the last while Jersey Joe was ahead at the time of the stoppage, I believe.

To be extra gallant I think the champion has to be facing a certain defeat or probable defeat. When Ken and Joe went out for their last rounds, they had every chance of holding on to their crowns. They could hardly quit.

Evander, however, should have known he was in for three minutes of pain and, unless he scored a knockout, it was going to be in vain although, of course, Holyfield being Holyfield would have still backed himself with those odds.

By the same criterion, I think Tyson's losing effort against Douglas bears mention, he took a hell of a beating for ten rounds and, the knockdown aside, had little to encourage him. Out of shape and knowing he'd shot his bolt, Tyson virtually had to be nailed into the canvas in the 10th and, even then, he was trying to put his mouthpiece back in so he could face butt Buster's gloves for another couple of rounds.

Say what you like about Mike but that losing effort (along with how he took his lumps vs Lewis and Holyfield in the first fight) shows a level of gallantry that I honestly don't think Walcott or Norton had in them.

Other mentions: Frazier v Foreman - whatever possessed Joe to keep getting up?; Carnera v Baer - ditto; Patterson vs Ingo - ditto; Willard - Dempsey - ditto again.