When the old man almost had it.

RGS, to tell you the truth, I wouldn't have included this as there really was no part where Takayama almost had it, which is the question in the OP. He trailed badly on points, was taking a hammering from the 1st round and his corner could realistically have interceded before the ref stopped it in the 9th. I will say this about him, however, what a heart!

 

Actually on no scorecard. Tapia was 36, but also the defending IBF champ (until the IBF stripped him for signing to fight MAB). Not really rolling back the years when he was coming off his title-winning fight. Johnny always made a fight of it, but he was pretty comfortably beaten by MAB. Maybe I'm being too particular but I was thinking more of a fighter who was simply considered fodder and pulled out a performance that almost beat the favored opponent in front of him.

 

I would consider this solid. Especially since I was railing that he should have retired after the Manny Pacquiao fight 5 years earlier. He certainly did almost pull a rabbit out of his hat at 35.

 

You're on the right track, Surf, and it's not really easy. I struggled to come up with the 3 that I did.

 

Fergy, I can see this. After years of inactivity and being widely outpointed by Tunney first time around, he struggled badly with Sharkey and was again being outpointed by Tunney when he made the world hold its breath with the long count in the 7th. So, I say good one.