I've heard a lot of people say Duran's win over Leonard. Maybe Jake Lamotta's win over Robinson? What do you all think?
Ali's over Foreman,Foreman's over Moorer,Frazier's over Ali,Ray's Valentine win over Jake,Leonard's over Hagler,Armstrong's over Ambers,all should be in the running.
It is difficult to look past Duran-Leonard I. Two all-time greats at their respective best weights, but one guy was naturally bigger, faster and younger - yet it was the smaller, slower and older guy who won it. Throw in the fact that Leonard was unbeaten beforehand and the fight was sandwiched between him stopping two unbeaten greats in Benitez and Hearns, and there really isn't any angle from which Duran's win in Montreal looks anything less than stunning. Sal Sanchez's demolition of Gomez might be worth a shout, too. Simply for the nature of the performance, which was just about as close to perfection as you'll ever see. He made a supposedly unstoppable guy who'd been leaving a trail of destruction in his wake look like a nobody. Outclassed the unbeaten Gomez in every conceivable way. Ted Kid Lewis' first Welterweight title win in 1915 could feature as well. Against a top 10 Welter of all time (in my opinion) in Britton, Lewis was compelled to come in inside the Lightweight limit but still pulled off the decision win.
Historically Jack Johnson’s wins against Tommy Burns and Jim Jeffries have to be in contention. For a win against the odds, Muhammad Ali toppling George Foreman,Max Schmeling against Joe Louis, Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson and Ray Leonard upsetting Marvin Hagler. For potentially great matchups between great fighters at or near their best, Roberto Duran beating Leonard, Joe Frazier beating Ali and Hagler stopping Tommy Hearns. It’s neigh on impossible for me to just single out one for the greatest win.
Frazier over Ali Ali over Foreman Foreman over Moorer was the biggest deal of my lifetime I think. As a preteen at the time never saw so many happy middle aged people walking around lol
Gomez destroying Zarate is #1. Made him look like a rank amateur. Don't want to hear any sickness bull**** either. Just a great showing.
Louis KO 1 Schmeling. Lots of pre-war tension prior to this one; its' influence and repercussions were felt WAY beyond boxing. Additionally, you had Louis emphatically avenging his only loss. This fight erased any question marks about Louis' greatness.
How can it be Leonard? Ray was not even prime or peak yet. He was still learning, which is why he fought Duran's fight. I think if anything, Ray's win over Duran and making him quit was more of an accomplishment.
Duran vs Leonard Greb vs Tunney John L Sullivan vs Jake Killrain Lewis vs Britton Are all candidates IMO