Douglas KO10 Tyson in 1990 has to be #1 IMO. Holyfield KO11 Tyson in 1996 was huge despite what revisionist might tell you. Tyson was seen as still very good at the time. He had won 8 in a row (6 by KO, 1 by DQ, and 1 by decision). He had went 2-0 (2) in HW World Title Fights, picking up the WBC and WBA belts. Since his comeback in '95 he was 4-0 (3) overall and 2-0 (2) in World Title Fights. He had beat McNeeley, Mathis, Bruno, and Seldon. Anyway, Holyfield was seen as shot. He looked fair vs. Czyz and was stopped by Bowe. Since his comeback in '95 he was 2-1 (1). He had beat Mercer, lost to Bowe, and beat Czyz.
I also think it was a superb all-round performance. There's not much between them in terms of the overall quality of the win, but considering how Bowe had beaten him first time and the massive size and weight difference, I had to give the edge to Holyfield. He was older, smaller, weaker, and a heavy underdog. It was, in pretty much every way, a truly remarkable victory.
Am I blind or did Hopkins-Trinidad Hopkins-Tarver Hopkins-Pavlik not make your list? Aside of that, I disagree with some of your fighters rankings, for example Tua B+, Hill B-? Sorry but it´s more like the other way around.
The fighter ranking is not a judgement on that fighter's career or all-time standing, it's about how difficult an opponent that guy was at that particular time. Although Tua's career never hit the heights many thought it would, at the time he fought Ibeabuchi he was perceived to be a destroyer. Hell, he was a destroyer! He was a feared and avoided man for sure. Virgil Hill had a much better career than Tua, but I don't know if he was regarded as being as dangerous to Hearns as Tua was to Ibeabuchi. I never rated Hill especially highly myself, and I don't think he performed particularly well vs Tommy, whereas Tua did perform well against Ibeabuchi I think. However, you are probably right about this, it was impossible for me to write this list without some inconsistencies which could be picked out. Ultimately though, it is very clear that I think Hearns-Hill was a much, much better win than Ibeabuchi vs Tua!!
What a tremendous effort. Nicely done, Popkins. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I definitely, definitely hold Bowe's victory over Holyfield in higher esteem than vice versa. Bowe was quite a bit heavier for the rematch, and clearly wasn't the same fighter as he had been when he was chasing the title. A very close fight, but I think the idea that Holyfield changed up and boxed his way to victory is somewhat of a myth or at least overblown. They went to war again, only this time Bowe wasn't in the same physical condition as he had been. Just my take. Great list, though.
Looking at the list, I think Jesse James Leija - Azumah Nelson 2 should be included. Nelson had great longevity and was still a very formidable fighter at the time. He was unbeaten at the weight with 10+ defenses of his title.
Cheers amigo. I wouldn't argue with anyone who had Bowe's win over Holyfield ahead of Holyfield's over Bowe, but I disagree somewhat. Bowe's win over Holyfield is the better fight and the better performance, but Holyfield had everything against him in the rematch, and still won. As I've said, I think that win was pretty astounding considering the disadvantages he faced. But there's not much in it at all. Both great wins, and I think my rankings reflect that. Bowe-Holyfield 1 is one of my all-time favourite heavyweight performances. :good
:good I'm not going to sit here and pick apart a list that you obviously spent a lot of time on. I'd like to see someone else to a better job.