Which fight is more significant, the first fight or the rematch?

Great question, it is better to win first fight but rematch tells a real story, real champions come back and win, thats what separates them from some mental midgets like Hamed who run away from the sport after loss.

 

Wilder vs Nichols II ..PPV... Will be 2nd highest selling fight behing Pac-May

 

:deal

 

I agree with what your logical assessment, and I'll add another point.

The reason boxing is so fascinating is that it's real fighting. When two guys get into a fist-fight on the street, they have never fought before and have to adapt to each other. People gather around and watch what happens.

A boxing match between two fighters who have never met each other is a better reflection of a real-life fight-on-the-street situation.

So to me, Harry Greb's win over Gene Tunney is worth more than any of the rematches that Tunney won.