I was thinking about this after a recent article I read about the rematch with Diego and Castillo coming up. Which rematches were insane as the first was? Most rematches seem to be watered down as both fighters come better prepared to not go through what we enjoyed most about the first fights. If it's a great fight for us, it's a lot of pain for them, thus, they wouldn't want to go through it again. Just curious. Gatti-Ward II and III weren't as good as the original and it it took Barrera-Morales, part III to get back to the original's ferocity although it was more like, caged fercocity with Barrera's skill. Any others?
The Best Rematch ever in the history of boxing was the Thrilla in Manilla, it might even be the greatest boxing match in the history of boxing.
Whenever its on ESPN Classic, I watch the whole thing even though I have seen it about 100 times..
Eubank became a bigger star in the years following the Benn fight, yes he made 19 successive WBO defences, his fights against Jarvis, Thornton, Esset and Holmes were shown live on ESPN and apparently are still shown on ESPN to this day on ESPN classics. Eubank's re-match with Benn was shown live on Showtime in the USA. After 1994 had passed by, Eubank was undefeated in 43 fights which was the best unbeaten record in the whole of boxing.
Benn-Eubank II was a good example of a watered down re-match, they didn't want to repeat their epic first fight (their first fight was brutal) and I don't blame them.
I'm downloading their first fight as we speak, but from what I've heard, both these guys completely suck :D
Benn-Eubank II was a good example of a watered down re-match, they didn't want to repeat their epic first fight (their first fight was brutal) and I don't blame them.
The first post was right. All rematches (the first rematch if it's a trilogy) is always watered down when compared to the first. The only one I can think of that was different was Judah vs. Spinks II since I just watched it again yesterday. They had more exchanges until Judah started kicking his pathetic ass all over the ring (and dancing while he did it, lol)
But Frazier-Ali II - watered down
Casamayor-Corrales II - watered down
Ward-Gatti II - watered down
Johnson-Tarver II - watered down
Morales-Barrera II - watered down
Forrest-Mosley II - watered down
Mayweather-Castillo II - watered down
I thought of a few more...
Tyson vs. Ruddock II I think was a little better than the first fight, which was stopped prematurely, but I remember both being pretty action packed. Wright-Mosley II was better than the first fight because Mosley was more effective. Harding-Tarver II was much more action packed as Tarver just went nuts on his ass.
Ali/Frazier 2 and
Leonard/Duran 2
come to mind.
Also Ali - Fraizer 3. That's one of the best fights ever.
I really enjoyed Tarver - Johnson II, as well. Pretty action-packed for a LHW fight.