Pick 3 fights to introduce someone to boxing

Number 1: Hamed-Kelley

 

I don't really care about Castillo. Him and Corrales never moved me like Gatti-Ward, Marquez-Vazquez, or Barrera-Morales around the same time. Pintor-Gomez doesn't do it for me either.

 

That's a great question. For me it would have to be:

Leonard vs Hearns I
Ali vs Foreman
Last one could be many choices, but for entertainment purposes I'd go with Hagler vs Hearns

 

Tito Mayorga
Oscar Vargas
Carbajal Gonzales

 

1. Jefferson-Harris Mouthpieces flyin, back and forth action, multiple knockdowns, and the gran finale showing someone unconscious while still standing, you know, the good stuff! Hidden gem.

2. Hagler-Hearns I've always thought of this one New generation vs the Old School generation, young, tall, athletic, showstopper prototype of the future vs the gritty, no nonsense, blue collar throwback. Brutal, brutal, brutal.

3. Sanchez-Gomez - You can't really understand the great Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry unless you've seen the "The Battle of the Little Giants", the greatest one of them all. Sure, there were others before it, but this one was the one history remembers the most. Precursor to Chavez-Rosario, Camacho, but with alot more action and drama. Worth seeing the COMPLETE fight, the mariachi vs salsa band was dope!

 

Naz v Kevin Kelly
Benn v Mcllenan
Mayweather v Canelo

 

Toney vs Jirov is a great one that I like to show to non-fans. It's perfect the crafty old veteran Toney, Jirov's insane upbringing, the massive volume from both guys. Jirov takes the 11th by throwing 120 punches and Freddie Roach tells him "You gotta put him on his ASS". James just goes "F!ck, F!CK" and then goes out and does it.

I showed some friend who are into MMA but look down on boxing that fight and they all came away very impressed.

 

Ali vs Frazier 1
Hearns vs Hagler
Morales vs Barrera 1

 

What?! You must be smoking crack, Tyson vs Holyfield is one of my favorite fights! It might not be the most technical fight but it's pure aggression the whole fight, I love that fight! Those other fights you mentioned doesn't do it for me, but you're right about Mayweather, especially the older version, is not fun to watch. Young Mayweather when he fought Corrales or Manfredy is actually pretty fun to watch though.

 

Gatti - Ward

Salido - Lopez

Rigo - Donair

 

I can see wanting to show them something contemporary, but I didn't really think Ward-Kovalev was anything special. If your window is only five years then show them Pacquiao vs Marquez IV or Gonzalez vs Estrada. Those were 2012, just as high level, but way more entertaining.

You know, I don't think I'd be that into boxing without all the history. That's part of the reason I can't get into MMA, no history. I don't understand the fans who only watch live bouts, or people who only read books that just came out, or listen to music by bands that are hot. That's like living hand to mouth. There's no depth to it. You're always hungry for the next thing. It's feast or famine and long stretches go by with nothing happening. I watch at least as many old fights as I do contemporary bouts. I'd rather read Homer, Dante, and Shakespeare than the new Stephen King, because to the person who's never read it before an old book is the same as one that's just come out. I like re-watching the Sopranos or All in the Family, listening to the Beatles, Dylan, and Hendrix.

 

There were about 90 clinches in that fight. It was as much of a wrestling match as a boxing match. No way it should have won FOTY in the same year as Bowe-Golota 1&2, Gatti-Rodriguez, and Barrera-McKinney. Not the best fight of it's own year, let alone top 3 of all time.

 

Foreman vs. Lyle
Hagler vs. Hearns
Corrales vs. Castillo I

 

I guess we have to agree on disagreeing on this one, but, since it won FOTY that year, I think it's more than me that agree on that it was a great fight.

 

Mayweather / Pacquaio, Klitschko / Fury, and Lewis / Holyfield 1. Sure there's the obvious Hagler / Hearns, Foreman / Lyle type fights that are historic, but why set the noobs up for disappointment. Fights like these come around once every decade or so. The three fights I listed are pretty much run of the mill of what can be expected from this great sport we all love so much these days. Crap fights, crap judges or both.