Time Machine: Which Five Fights....

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Rumsfeld, Apr 14, 2010.


  1. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

    49,498
    15,881
    Jul 19, 2004
    You're the "Marty McFly" of the ESB Classic Forum.

    You have a time machine. You can go back in time and witness any five fights in history from ringside.

    Of course, you already know the outcome, but the atmosphere and mood are something entirely unique to those who witnessed the action first hand--and you now have the opportunity to witness this part of boxing history with your very own eyes.

    Which five fights would you want to see?

    Why those five?
     
  2. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

    49,498
    15,881
    Jul 19, 2004
    I haven't given this much thought, but for me I would say:

    1. Ali-Frazier I (because of its historical significance alone)
    2. Hagler-Hearns (first fight I saw when I was young)
    3. Robinson-Bell (I would need to see the great Sugar Ray with one of my five, and wasn't sure which fight to pick so winning his first title seemed as good a pick as any)
    4. Greb-Tunney (With the way Greb is such an interesting topic around here I'd have to see one of his fights)
    5. Moore-Durelle I (because I'd want to see a live fight with Archie Moore and this is one of my favorites)


    ***I was going to say Louis-Schmelling II just for the experience of it, but I couldn't get myself to waste the opportunity on such a short fight....although, this one may have been worth the sacrifice

    If I gave this more thought, I may have picked something different on 4 and 5.
     
  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    112,915
    47,914
    Mar 21, 2007
    Charley Burley W10 Archie Moore

    Sam Langford KO19 Harry Wills

    Elbows McFadden KO23 Joe Gans

    Jack McCauliffe KO47 Jimmy Carroll

    Gene Tunney W15 Harry Greb (2)



    That's today. Tomorrow could be a different five entirely! But i've gone for fights with no film, and think I always would.
     
  4. young griffo

    young griffo Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,487
    7,235
    May 18, 2006
    Johnson vs Burns-For the historical significence.

    Darcy vs Chip-To see Australia's greatest fighter's swan song.

    Dempsey vs Willard-To be ringside to witness a peak Manassa Mauler.

    Clay vs Hunsaker-Just so I could sit ringside and say "this skinny kid will be the greatest heavyweight of all time,you heard it here first"

    Frazier vs Ali-The fight of the century,nuff said.
     
  5. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

    97,722
    29,070
    Jun 2, 2006
    .
    How to choose?

    Ali v Frazier 1 A
    Dempsey v Willard B
    Johnson v Jeffries C
    Robinson v Lamotta V1 D
    Greb v Tunney E

    Sub Louis v Conn1

    A . Two unbeaten heavyweight champs, one slightly rusty, one, at the top of his game.Great fight." Lord he can take it, I hit him with punches that could bring down walls".

    B. The emergence of an exciting giant killer, a behemoth absorbing absurd punishment ,versus a two handed timber wolf.

    C.History being made, a grinning, fearless Johnson smiling out at a sea of white faces who all hated his guts, as he humiliates ,and punishes a brave but hopeless Jeffries their hero."I was never troubled,I could box another 15rds,I enjoyed it".Pay back time.

    D.An artist at work Ray, the matador, against the Bronx Bull.
    Robinson aware of Jake's weight problems, concedes ground early, making the stubby Lamotta use his legs.Jake keeps coming ,taking shots that knocked senseless great fighters,

    E.Greb who, tragically no one living has seen fight,against the brave Tunney.Perpetual motion against a budding great.

    Sub .
    Louis v Conn1

    Louis being outboxed by the brash ,speedy Conn ,finally catching up to his foe."I fixed your wagon for you".
     
  6. Jack Dempsey

    Jack Dempsey Legend Full Member

    7,210
    42
    Jun 13, 2005
    Dempsey v Willard
    Dempsey v Firpo
    Louis v Schmeling
    Davis v Zivic I
    Robinson v LaMotta VI
     
  7. Harman

    Harman Member Full Member

    467
    1
    Mar 24, 2009
    Tokyo 1990: Mike Tyson vs Buster Douglas, and i bet all my money at Douglas :D
     
  8. Boilermaker

    Boilermaker Boxing Junkie Full Member

    9,372
    473
    Oct 6, 2004
    Fitzsimmons vs Sharkey would be one to watch for the history buffs. Not only do you see a great fight, but you get to see the legendary Wyatt Earp and the gang live and in the person. Quite a few one liners to throw around there for me, I hope i make it out alive to see the other four fights.
     
  9. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

    15,903
    7,636
    Mar 17, 2010
    Awesome thread

    1. Johnson vs. Langford

    2. Johnson vs. Fitzsimmons

    3. Jeffries vs. Fitz

    4. John L Sullivan in any prime fight

    5. Corbett vs. Fitzsimmons
     
  10. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

    15,903
    7,636
    Mar 17, 2010
    Im also gonna add Tom Molineaux vs. Tom Cribb
     
  11. Godfather

    Godfather I put the G in God Full Member

    407
    2
    Jun 10, 2008
    Greb vs Tunney I

    Robinson vs Lamotta VI

    Frazier vs Ali I

    Leonard vs Duran I

    Ketchel vs Langford
     
  12. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

    21,677
    51
    Sep 8, 2007
    tried not to look at anyone else's answers but for me...

    1)gatti-ward 1

    -simply my favourite fight of all time and the reason i'm on this forum

    2)duran-leonard 1

    -duran, one of my heroes of the fight game, at his shining moment and crowning glory

    3)sam langford-harry wills, 1914

    -almost any langford fight would do, but i'd like to see the greatest canadian fighter of all time doing what he does best against one of the best heavies of the era

    4)duran-barkley

    -anything with duran but a small venue, full of duran fans, REAL duran fans that are loyal to the end with a palpable air of excitement

    5)ali-frazier 1

    -come on, it's the fight of the century! it's almost mandatory to be on this list
     
  13. Abdullah

    Abdullah Boxing Junkie banned

    8,257
    13
    Dec 2, 2008
    1. Tunney-Greb
    2. Greb-Tunney II
    3. Flowers-Greb III
    4. Greb-Norfolk
    5. Greb-Walker

    I know some would say that I should diversify my choices, but Greb can't be seen on film and he was one of the greatest of all time. I know there are other greats that can't be seen, but I would use my 5 time machine choices all for Mr. Greb.
     
  14. Mr Butt

    Mr Butt Boxing Junkie Full Member

    14,678
    183
    May 16, 2009
    jack kid berg vs kid chocolate (I)

    roberto duran vs ray leonard (I)

    mark kaylor vs errol christie

    joe frazier vs ali (I)

    any of the ross/canzoneri fights
     
  15. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

    21,677
    51
    Sep 8, 2007
    haha, to be honest i think a lot of people will have done so when this thread is said and done.

    your number 2 and number 5 picks were hard to leave off but i figured enough people would say the same i'd just grab a ride in their time machines