The real FOTC

So are we talking the 20th Century (1900-2000), or the last 100 years, or 1900 through 2019, or 1889-2019, i. e., the entire gloved era? Given that some of the answers by posters include fights which occurred more than 100 years ago, I take it that FOTC is a term of art, but what are its parameters?

 

They were promoted as Fight of The Century (but spelled right)

 

Gotcha! Thank you.

 

1. Johnson - Jeffries, despite it being a rout.
2. Frazier - Ali (1)

 

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

 

Frazier/Ali.

 

Fights of the century Frazier-Ali 1 and Louis-Schmeling 1 or 2
FOTY fights of the year Moore-Durelle 1 and Walker-Swiderski
ROTY Rounds of the year Foreman-Lyle Round 4; Harry Bobo-Lem Franklin Round 1

 

Hahaha!

 

Frazier-Ali for me for the following reasons:

1. Two unbeaten champions and both legitimate claimants to be world champion.
2. It was an event that transcended boxing and was a significant social, cultural and political happening rolled into a sporting event.
3. It virtually lived up to its billing as arguably the greatest heavyweight title fight ever.

 

No room at the top for Louis-Schmeling 2?

 

Philly, thanks for your "like" & response.

I believe Louis-Schmeling was very much billed as "FOTC" at the time, judging from the books I've read (too many to remember or list!); the political climate of the time, war brewing in Europe, the irony of a white German fighting a black American when Hitler was championing "Aryan supremacy".

For me, it's the ultimate FoTC of the 20th century, politically anyway, narrowly ahead of Johnson-Jeffries. For purely boxing reasons, Frazier-Ali 1 has a good case, imo.

 

I can't find anything on Louis Schmeling being called FOTC before it.

 

Here's Jack Dempsey on the rematch
Evening star. [volume], June 19, 1938, Page 4, Image 82
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ing&y=20&x=15&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1