Most significant title fights that didn't happen per decade?

Larry Holmes vs Pinklon Thomas

 

The above is only relevant to the events of '96, in so far that it demonstrates the fight could be made, involving two rival networks.

There was provision in the HBO contract with Lewis, which allowed him to fight on Showtime. Don King blaming Seth Abraham for the fight not coming off (as the latter himself put it), "is like Custer blaming the weather for Little Bighorn".

You're not really answering the question (and the $18 million reads more like a misquoted figure or more Chinese whispers). I asked - What did the offer of $16 million comprise of?

The $4 million step-aside money, for Tyson to fight Seldon, was part of the $16 million offer. The other $12 million was for Lewis to wait another year, having already been the mandatory WBC Challenger for a year. Not to mention, King's insistence that he would be the promoter and retain promotional rights of both Tyson and Lewis.

It's pretty obvious to anyone with a basic sense for business (or just earning money, in general), as to why the broader scope of the deal was a dud, and why taking the step-aside money was wise. Especially, when you factor in Lewis being a mandatory challenger that would have led to the bout being forced to go to purse bids, anyway.

Dumping the WBC belt was King's only escape route for Tyson, from Lewis.

You were the one, who decided to question my perspective on why both the Lewis/Tyson and Lewis/Bowe fights didn't happen, as well as you making excuses for both King and Newman - and you did so erroneously.

It's not about making me feel better. I feel just fine, either way. It is about you getting your facts right - the little of those you use - and including more than just those tidbits selected by you, in order to simply support your idea of how events unfolded.

You only foster misconceptions by way of omitting salient facts. You should know this.

And, I'll just leave it at that.

 

Mayweather vs Kosta Tyszu