Underrated Performances By Old Fighters

37 year old Michael Moorer rallying to stop Vassiliy Jirov in the 9th round.

Eder Jofre winning the WBC featherweight title at 37 years of age.

40+ year old Bob Fitzsimmons beating George Gardner for the light heavyweight title and drawing with Philadelphia Jack O'Brien.

Archie Moore must have been nearly 50 when he drew with Willie Pastrano who won the light heavyweight title a year afterwards. He also made the 175 lb limit and went 15 rounds effortlessly when he avenged the earlier loss to Giulio Rinaldi.

Dick Tiger was nearly 40 years old when he beat the reigning middleweight champion Nino Benvenuti.

Tony Tubbs was 46 when he won a decision over undefeated heavyweight prospect Brian Minto.

 

George Foreman vs Shannon Briggs

 

Any of Harold Johnson's fights in the early '60s, particularly his complete asskicking of Doug Jones.

Floyd Patterson beating Bonavena, and then giving Ali a pretty solid fight.

Lupe Pintor winning his second title vs. Juan Meza.

 

Thomas Hearns over Virgil Hill

 

Thomas Hearns vs. Virgil Hill. He never got the credit for beating Virgil when Virgil was undefeated and had 10 title defenses. And Hearns was 5 years older. I think this was a great win.

 

Joey Giardello winning the middleweight title from Dick Tiger and then defending against Rubin "Hurricane" Carter is quite an accomplishment for a fighter who by 1963 was way past his best fighting days. Tiger and Carter were two very tough hombres.

 

You know what is interesting. I did not even see LeftHook31's comment before mine that Thomas Hearns vs. Virgil Hill was his choice also. Total coincidence. I always felt Tommy never got the credit for that win.

 

You think Julio Cesar Chavez in the rematch with Oscar De La Hoya qualifies? Or does he get his due credit for fighting admirably for 8 rounds with the younger, larger Oscar before surrendering on his stool with a grotesque cut?

 

Good ones.

Tiger himself then turned in a string of great performances - vs. Carter, Giardello(rematch), Torres, Rouse, Benvenuti, DePaula, and Kendall.

 

Glen Johnson's near upset of Chad Dawson
Leo Gamez winning his fourth world title at an advanced age (think it was 36 or 37)
Ricardo Lopez's torching of a much younger Zolani Potelo in his final fight.

 

Daniel Zaragoza at 39 years of age outpointing Wayne McCullough, handing him his first loss. It was scored a close split decision, but Zaragoza really put on a clinic that night.

 

40 year old Carl Thhompson beating future HW Champ David Haye. The fight often gets put down to the green HAye gassing, which he clearly did, but I think Thompson doesn't get the credit he deserves for taking all that Haye could throw and then getting rid of the young buck. Its a massive right hand that sends Haye flying into the corner before towl comes in. Good stuff from a 40 year old.