There are many epic battles, sequels, trilogies, and anthologies in boxing's past. From Ali-Frazier, to Patterson-Johansson, to Tyson's chomp at the Holyfield bit, and just about every championship fight of Ray Leonard's career. But what would be considered the first "great" rivalry in boxing's history? Who were they? When did they fight? How many times? What were the outcomes? Could anything have changed? Please, discuss.

tunney - dempsey comes to mind.

tunney - dempsey comes to mind.
Yea thats what I thought of first as well

I guess if you consider a fighter fighting another fighter more then once then another one that comes to mind is

James J. Jefferies and Bob Fitzsimmons (fought 2)
Tom Sharkey (2)
James J. Corbett (2)

but Dempsey Tunney is probably one of the first real rivalaries

batteling nelson had a rival i forget his name...i know he fought joe gans a couple of times

batteling nelson had a rival i forget his name...i know he fought joe gans a couple of times

good old joe gans, he was a master of the falling step

dempsey used to say that when joe gans would miss a shot his left foot would slam down so hard on the canvas it could be heard blocks away

nobody really use falling step anymore tho

Ted Kid Lewis vs Jack Brittion.

Geez, these 2 fought over 20 times, and most often they were swamping titles back and fort like they were candy or something.

First GREAT rivial.