The Heavyweight division has been witness to some amazing tussles over the last hundred plus years with titans of the sport lacing up their gloves and giving us fans unforgettable moments. Here’s a list of the biggest, most publicised and widely covered contests to have taken place in the blue ribbon division. Jim Jeffries vs Jack Johnson (Champion) Date 4th July 1910 Location – Reno, Nevada USA The climate during the early part of the 20th century was very different with outright racism prevalent. A black champion like Johnson who was hated for his brash confident personality and superior boxing skills just added fuel to the disgusting fire. White folks at the time were desperate for a white boxer to defeat him, in their desperation they coaxed Jim Jeffries the undefeated retired former champion to return and usurp the champ. In a purpose built arena 18020 fans packed in to witness the biggest boxing fight in history. What they saw was a clinical performance from Johnson still in his prime and practically toying with his foe constantly taunting him in between landing some hard crisp shots. The fight ended in the 15th round via TKO with Jeffries out on his feet and saved from the indignation of a knockout in front of a capacity crowd. Fight link This content is protected Jack Dempsey vs Gene Tunney (Champion) 2 Date 22nd September 1927 Location – Soldier Field, Illinois USA Known as 'The Long Count Fight', the fight was a rematch from a year earlier, where Tunney had won the world heavyweight title from Dempsey. The rematch attracted immense interest, with over 100,000 spectators present at Soldier Field, and it was the first boxing match to garner a gate revenue of over $2 million. The 'long count' incident occurred in the seventh round when Dempsey, known for his aggressive style, knocked Tunney down. However, Dempsey failed to move to a neutral corner immediately after the knockdown, as per the new rules introduced by the Illinois State Athletic Commission. An interesting point Dempsey’s camp actually insisted in the new rule for the fight. The 'Long Count' Fight is remembered as a significant event in boxing history, not only for the controversial incident but also for the high-profile nature of the bout. It sparked debates about boxing rules and regulations, particularly about the neutral corner rule, and its impact on the outcome of fights. The fight was won by Tunney via a 10 round unanimous decision. Fight link This content is protected Joe Louis (Champion) vs Max Schmeling 2 Date 22nd June 1938 Location – Yankee Stadium, Bronz, NY USA The second bout between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling, which took place on June 22, 1938, at the Yankee Stadium, New York, is one of the most unforgettable heavyweight boxing clashes in history. This fight was not just a sporting event, but it also held significant cultural and political implications. Joe Louis, also known as the 'Brown Bomber', was the reigning heavyweight champion, having won the title in 1937. Max Schmeling, on the other hand, was a former world heavyweight champion from Germany. Their first encounter in 1936 had seen Schmeling defeat Louis in a stunning upset. The rematch in 1938 was highly anticipated and was viewed in the context of the rising tensions between the United States and Nazi Germany. Schmeling was inaccurately portrayed as a symbol of Nazi superiority, while Louis was seen as a representative of American democracy and freedom. The fight itself was a swift and brutal affair. Louis was determined to avenge his previous defeat and he did so in spectacular fashion. He attacked Schmeling with a ferocity that left the German boxer unable to defend himself. The fight was stopped after just 124 seconds into the first round, with Louis declared the winner by knockout. This victory cemented Joe Louis's status as a national hero in the United States. It was a significant moment in the history of boxing, but also in the broader context of race relations and international politics. The Louis vs Schmeling rematch remains one of the most iconic heavyweight boxing clashes of all time. Fight Link This content is protected Joe Louis vs Rocky Marciano Date 26th October 1951 Location – Madison Square Garden, NY USA The bout between Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano, which took place on 26th October 1951, is one of the most significant clashes in heavyweight boxing history. Known as 'The Brockton Blockbuster', Marciano was an up-and-coming fighter, while Louis, 'The Brown Bomber', was a seasoned veteran and former heavyweight champion. Marciano was relatively inexperienced, having only 37 fights under his belt, compared to Louis's 71. However, he was younger, stronger, and hungrier for victory. Louis, on the other hand, was past his prime at 37 years old and had come out of retirement for this fight, primarily due to financial difficulties. Despite Louis's experience and skill, the fight was dominated by Marciano. The younger fighter's power and stamina were too much for the ageing Louis. Marciano knocked Louis through the ropes in the eighth round, marking the end of the fight and effectively ending Louis's career. The bout is considered a passing of the torch in the boxing world, as it marked the end of Louis's reign and the beginning of Marciano's. Marciano went on to become the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated, with a record of 49 wins, 0 losses. Fight Link This content is protected Rocky Marciano vs Jersey Joe Walcott (Champion) Date 23rd September 1952 Location – Municipal Stadium, Pennsylvania USA The bout between Rocky Marciano and Jersey Joe Walcott is one of the most memorable in heavyweight boxing history. It took place on 23rd September 1952, at the Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was Marciano's first shot at the heavyweight title, held by Walcott. Walcott, who was 38 years old at the time, was a seasoned veteran with a reputation for his crafty style and hard-hitting power. Marciano, on the other hand, was a 29-year-old rising star with an undefeated record and a reputation for his relentless aggression and knockout power. The fight was a gruelling affair, with both fighters demonstrating their respective strengths. Walcott used his experience and guile to control the early rounds, even knocking Marciano down in the first round. However, Marciano's relentless pressure and power began to take its toll as the fight progressed. The turning point came in the 13th round when Marciano landed a devastating right hand, known as the 'Suzie Q', that knocked Walcott out and ended the fight. This punch is often considered one of the greatest in boxing history. With this victory, Marciano became the new heavyweight champion. Fight Link This content is protected
"biggest, most publicised and widely covered contests" Joe Frazier vs Muhammad Ali FOTC not on your list?
