Unforgettable triumphs, mindblowing punches, and tough fights are why boxing is one of the most spectacular and paid sports. The following page emphasizes the importance of boxing in the sports industry, highlighting the most spectacular boxing matches with the greatest boxers of all time.
Ring fights have never become less exciting and intriguing. You can have a terrific experience predicting boxing outcomes at the 1xBet website in future fights and selecting your favorite champion.
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier
15 exceptional rounds of madness in the ring took place on March 8, 1971, between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. This fight is called the “Fight of the Century” for its enormous expectations before the match and exceeded thrilling emotions during these rounds. Two absolutely unbeatable boxers showed impossible drama, but by the unanimous decision, Joe Frazier broke Ali’s streak.
| Tale of the tape | ||
| Joe Fraizer | Muhammad Ali | |
| Pre-fight Record | 26-0 (23 KO) | 31-0 (25 KO) |
| Height | 182 cm | 191 cm |
| Weight | 93 kg | 98 kg |
Their pre-fight record of 26-0 and 31-0 for Joe Fraizer and Muhammad Ali, respectively, made this event iconic, and the championship title earned by Frazier became even more valuable. But, behind the fight, there was a political subtext where each fighter denoted an opposite position in the US involvement in the Vietnam War.
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns
The undisputed welterweight championship ring fight is billed as a “Showdown” between professional boxers Ray Leaonard “Sugar” and Thomas Hearns. In 1981, Nevada, Caesars Palace, the orthodox boxing fight for the WBA and WBC titles happened. The pre-fight stats were 30 KO by “The Hitman” and 21 KO by “Sugar.” The “Showdown” was finished by TKO by Leonard in the 14th round.
| Tale of the tape | ||
| Sugar Ray | Thomas Hearns | |
| Pre-fight Record | 30-1 (21 KO) | 32-0 (30 KO) |
| Height | 178 cm | 185 cm |
| Weight | 66 kg | 66 kg |
In the aftermath, the fight was controversial due to the judge’s decision in rounds 6 and 7. The eight-year-past rematch called “The War” ended up in a draw, making “Sugar” the only winner in this iconic pair.
Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield II
“They all have a plan until they lose an ear”, said Mike Tyson. “The Bite Fight” was an iconic battle between Tyson and Holyfield, where the first one bit off a part of the opponent’s ear. June 28, MGM Grand Garden Arena is when and where Tyson lost his boxing license and was disqualified from the fight for this iconic incident, but still earned $30,000,000, except the fines from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
| Tale of the tape | ||
| Mike Tyson | Evander Holyfield | |
| Pre-fight Record | 45-2 (39 KO) | 33-3 (24 KO) |
| Height | 178 cm | 189 cm |
| Weight | 99 kg | 99 kg |
What was behind Tyson’s bizarre behavior? Most likely, Holyfield’s aggressive pressure with constant head-butts and the victory in the first two rounds made Tyson a little more furious than usual and made him use the tricky strategy. Forty seconds into the third round, Tyson, being in the Holyfield’s clinch, rolled up his head and bit an ear. The immediate pain and blood from Evander’s ear shocked fighters, referees, team managers, and millions of boxing fans.
Marvin Hagler vs. Tommy Hearns
After four years since the Hearns’s loss to the “Sugar,” he lost to Marvin Hagler in the third round and memorialized another boxing match in history. At that time, Marvin “Marvelous” was an undisputed champion in the middleweight division.
| Tale of the tape | ||
| Marvin Hagler | Thomas Hearns | |
| Pre-fight Record | 60-2-2 (50 KO) | 40-1 (34 KO) |
| Height | 175 cm | 185 cm |
| Weight | 72 kg | 72 kg |
In the first round, Hagler started landing his branded right hands and pushing Hearns towards the ropes. In the second one, Hearns felt like he already had no legs under him, and the situation became tough for him. He tried to set the pace by changing the styles, but there was no chance. The third and final rounds brought the following: Hearns struggled, throwing blood drops all over the ring. The referee didn’t stop the fight in the beginning until Hearns was unable to continue. Hagler won via 3rd round TKO.
Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward I
In 2002, Massachusetts, Micky Ward and Arturo Gatti, two tough fighters, showed an excellent example of a boxing fight where it was difficult to decide who was better. Their filigree punches made this event one of the greatest. However, in the ninth round, Gatti sent Micky to the mat with his devastating kidney shot.
| Tale of the tape | ||
| Micky Ward | Arturo Gatti | |
| Pre-fight Record | 38-13 (27 KO) | 40-9 (31 KO) |
| Height | 178 cm | 173 cm |
| Weight | 62 kg | 62 kg |
This fight was not about the result and the final round; it was all about the rough action in the ring from both boxers. Also, this fight was just the beginning of a trilogy that ended in June 2023. By the end of their rivalry, Gati won 2-1.
George Foreman vs. Ron Lyle
Back to the heavyweights and George Foreman, who wanted to get his title picture back after losing to Muhammad Ali in 1974. Both Foreman and Lyle had a great chance to prove who was greater, having a series of knockouts during the 5 rounds, but Foreman’s incredible final knockout put a solid dot to this historically iconic battle.
| Tale of the tape | ||
| George Foreman | Ron Lyle | |
| Boxing Record | 76-5 (68 KO) | 43-7 (31 KO) |
| Height | 193 cm | 191 cm |
| Weight | Heavyweight | Heavyweight |
In the fifth round, Lyle stopped punching, and Foreman was out on his feet, but they both ignored the defense. In the last seconds, Foreman delivered plenty of hands and finished Lyle on the canvas, winning by KO.
Jack Dempsey vs. Luis Firpo
The oldest fight in our list of the greatest fights of all time. Jack and Luis showed a significant fight and got one of the first “Fight of the Year” titles. The match took place on September 14, 1923, in Polo Grounds, New York City.
| Tale of the tape | ||
| Jack Dempsey | Luis Firpo | |
| Pre-fight Record | 61-4-9 | 25-2 |
| Height | 185 cm | 189 cm |
| Weight | 87 kg | 98 kg |
The beginning was not great for Firpo, being on the floor seven times during the first round. However, a little later, the Latin American boxer sends the USA champion out of the ring. Dempsey was on the ring at the count of nine but had no energy to keep focused. Thus, Firpo gave him 13 consecutive shots before the first round ended. In the second round, the champion recovered and finished the fight with a furious knockout, defending the title.
Conclusion
These were only a few of the greatest fights that fans may be interested in. Although the sports industry has changed, many modern fights are no less spectacular and fun to watch. Boxing enthusiasts follow Terence Crawford, Canelo Álvarez, Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol, and other top modern fighters. But we’ll always remember these iconic ring sensations and stories that inspired millions of people to love combat sports.
