Similarities between FOTC 1971 and 'Brawl In Montreal 1980

You're absolutely right. Also, the smaller man won both times, which always makes a good story. There's also the fact that all four of these fighters are in most ATGs list.

 

I hate when people call the Ali Frazier fight THE fight of the century.. There was only ONE fight on the century and it was Johnson vs. Jeffreis... nothing comes close.

 

Two classic 15 round masterpieces. I much prefer the FOTC, however.

 

Johnson / Jeffries had a big impact culturally, but not as much of an impact on the sport of boxing

 

wtf???

 

There are definitely parallels. Ali and Leonard were "boxers", and Frazier and Duran were swarming infighters that took the heat to them.

Likening Foreman to Hearns and/or Hagler also applies, in terms of their success in competition outside of their own H2H battles.

 

That is totally not true... Because of Johnson thrashing of Jeffries and other white fighters.. started a whole great white hope phenom is boxing that hasn't been seen since. Because of Johnson and his reign.. no other black fighter was even given a shot till many years later. How you can say it didn't effect boxing as much, is well, astounding.

 

question?

 

Let's not forget Louis-Schmeling II for "FOTC's." Huge international and racial overtones there, plus Louis at the time was considered like Tyson in terms of explosive ability.

As to the the 1980 and 1971 fights that are the subject of this thread, I'll just say that it's nice to see Leonard-Duran 1 given its due-- not as a FOTC (over-rated for that)-- but as THE major boxing attraction since Ali-Frazier 1, to this day. Leonard-Hearns 1 was often referred to that way, and it was huge, but Leonard-Duran 1 was even bigger, I remember both well.

Holmes-Cooney wasn't quite as big as any of the above, nor was Hagler-Leonard, and Tyson-M. Spinks wasn't in the same ballpark, likely because that fight was viewed by many as a potential blowout, which it turned out to be.

It's funny how Mayweather-De La Hoya was referred to at the time as "this generation's Leonard-Hearns 1." Yeah, right, God help us. Wasn't even close. Many in the non-boxing public didn't care one bit for it; unlike the other fights I've mentioned.

 

I thought Dempsey-Carpentier was the first fight billed as "The Fight Of The Century"

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edit - seems it was Jeffries-Johnson.
Interesting how Tex Rickard used the same advertising angle a mere 11 years later !
He was on course for putting on a "FOTC" every decade !