Top 40 performances by Australian boxers!

Some of these fighters that our aussie fighters stepped up to the block to challenge, were monumental efforts...they were not losers.

Tony Mundine v Carlos Monson
Paul Ferreri V Carlos Zarate
Hector Thomson V Roberto Duran

 

I'd actually have some of those losing efforts above many winning ones.

 

Duran was quoted as saying Thompson was one of his hardest fights. Rated him highly skill wise.

 

Hey CHB, comments above.

Also, I suppose I rate bouts on their significance and overall appeal. Andries was a great fighter and very worthy opponent, we have to remember he went 10 of 12 with Thomas 'The Hitman' Hearns so it makes it hard when judging on calibre of opponent only. Some of Andries opponents were very worthy fighters.

I just personally felt Harding's win was against the odd's, big stage, big opponent, late notice / grab the opportunity, come from behind / underdog stuff, yet he fought a hard, tough fight right till the end.

It embodied everything you want to see in a fighter and I suppose that's why it's a Top 5 Aussie fight for sure in my opinion.

The Barry Michael/Lester Ellis fight just had all the theatre of what a fight should be and the fight itself let no one down. Whilst appreciating Barry's 'Carter' performance, it's not often you get two Aussie fighters actually fighting for a fair dinkum world-title and both Barry and Lester delivered in spades.

I was always disapointed that things never worked out (timing/life changes/weight classes not quite there at respective times in either's career) and Fenech never got to face either Lester or Barry in a big stoush. Just not to be I suppose.

 

No seriously pal, you won't be getting one from me as I genuinally haven't seen enough of the old footage to do it justice.

I respect all the old fighters and their achievements in some cases probably hold more weight due to only being two titles (WBA / WBC) 'back in the day'.

It takes nothing away from the achievements and performances of modern day fighters, just circumstances are vastly different.

One we all haven't mentioned - Michael Katisidis vs. Graham Earl. Massive fight, massive stage, massive performance.

 

See I'd honestly rate Mick's efforts against Casamayor and Marquez as greater, because his opposition was so much better. The Earl fight was a ripper though.

 

I had the JMM fight highly also Ippy, simply due to a great performance against a lock hall-of-fame fighter.

 

A little off topic, as I was young and really didn't know about the 'behind the scenes' of what goes into making a fight (probably some would say I still don't know!), is there any real reason why a Fenech vs. either Michael or Ellis never eventuated?

I know the obvious people are going to say is weight classes, but is that the only reason why a non-title 'catchweight' fight was never agreed too?

I know Mordey at times had Fenech in non-title fights to keep him ticking over (and the $) and Jeff would always be a little heavier.

Can anyone shed any light or is it just simply the weight and timing thing and my hope was just a flipant, never a remote chance dream!