What one fight raised a fighters all-time P4P rankings the most

Norton's one (Two wins really) against Ali, though Norton isn't too terribly high in a P4P sense to begin with.

Foreman's comeback in general was the sole thing that made him an ATG, his victory over Moorer in particular. Besides that, there was losses to a lot of the best fighters he ever faced... Ali, Morrison, Holyfield, Young and the Briggs blemish. After his first retirement he definitely wasn't viewed like he would be at the end of his second career.

 

Aaron Pryor takes on almost mythical proportions for some with his win over Arguello.

 

I suspect Louis' victory over Schmeling turned him from a very good fighter into a great and truly great American icon.

 

Louis built on the Schmeling win, Max was maybe unlucky to not get the Braddock fight, but was never the same fighter post LouisI.

Schmeling no doubt is an icon in Germany, but overall he was no Louis, in the ring anyway. It is a bit like us in Britain worshipping Sir 'enry and Bomber Bruno; two so so fighters who were icons of their era in our country.

 

Lewis's win over a shot Tyson did wonders for his reputation.

 

Yes, that is why he is a big icon in Germany.

Louis is huge because he won the most important fight in boxing history (the Schmeling rematch) and became an a huge icon for America (in a political sense) and perhaps more importantly in the long run, a huge icon for his race and the fight they would have over the next 30 or so years.

 

Lamotta's one win over SRR.

 

Tarver over Jones :good

 

Ironically, it's a couple of defeats which I consider when addressing this. What Duran did against Hagler was astonishing at the time. Check out the footage of Duran against DeJesus, or any other lightweight opponent. Then check out Hagler destroying Sibson, Scypion or Obelmejias. Could Duran have reasonably been expected to have a lead on Hagler after 12, or go the 15 round distance without first hitting the dirt?

Robinson's dominant performance against Maxim is also a remarkable display. Robby had that bout won. Maxim only took three of the 13 rounds contested, and this was a boxer who competed in the HW division through most of his career. He held wins over Jimmy Bivins and Jersey Joe Walcott, and would go on to hand Floyd Patterson his first professional loss. A past peak SRR was schooling him while boxing as a middleweight.

Mentioning Duran again, what he did to Barkley at the age he did it is incredible. Remember, Barkley would go on to kayo and retire Coetzee. (Hmmm....here's a thought. Duran at 126 against Coetzee at 250. Does the teenager who knocked out Marcel dump the bionic hand on his butt?)

 

Harada reaming Jofre.

 

Billy Conn's first fight against Joe Louis.

He has some solid wins on his resume, but I think he'd be largely forgotten if not for the legendary performance against Joe. All of the watching and re-watching of that fight is what has most fans ready to argue with anyone who leaves Conn out of the discussion for top five all-time at light-heavy.