In your opinion, what are the 3 Most Important boxing fights in History? When picking them consider their significance to the history of boxing, the general public/world history. List them and why. Mine may be subject to change depending on what others post but here is what I have at the moment:
1. Muhammad Ali -vs-Joe Frazier 1. This fight became so intertwined with current politics at the time that in many ways it became much more important than a mere sporting event. In addition, the fight actually lived up to the hype.
2. Joe Louis -vs- Max Schmeling 2. Once again this fight came to represent more than two pugs in a ring. It was the United States -vs- the Nazis.
3. Marvin Hagler -vs- Tommy Hearns. This fight didn't serve to have any non-boxing historical relevance but it ultimately became the battle that all great fights would be compared to.
I'm sure the third could be replaced Corbett/Sullivan.. Ok, what does everyone else have?
Depends on what type of history you speak of. "Boxing" history? American history? Or general "World" history?
Boxing history I think.
There's another thread he created extending it to a top 10. Check it out.
Alright I'm gonna make a top 10 most important fights in boxing history thread. See if we can get it to 10..
I'm down. I cant guarantee it will make it on the top 10 due to the fact that it's not well known or even a great fight or anything, but as far as boxing history and the changes it made to the sport I'd definitely put it up there.
Right that's the fight i was thinking of when I said the American former slave.. I think Sullivan Corbett might be more important though..
Eh, not sure. Cribb/Molineaux was the first big international bi-racial title fight of it's kind.
I'm no expert though.
Kim died after the fight due to injuries sustained due to massive weight draining. It was partially responsible for changes in the rules in both the amount of rounds fought and new weigh in rules including changing it from the day of to the night before, allowing for the huge rehydration we see today.
Two really big changes in the sport, seems like it could be considered a greatly influential fight. Maybe not the most well known or most loved, but absolutely important.
Alright I'm gonna make a top 10 most important fights in boxing history thread. See if we can get it to 10..
I think Cribb vs. Molineaux may kick Hagler/Hearns out of the top 3.
Right that's the fight i was thinking of when I said the American former slave.. I think Sullivan Corbett might be more important though..
Maybe even a 10..
Mancini/Kim was the official fight when championship fights went from 15 to 12 right?.. I suppose a top 5 might be more fitting than 3.
Kim died after the fight due to injuries sustained due to massive weight draining. It was partially responsible for changes in the rules in both the amount of rounds fought and new weigh in rules including changing it from the day of to the night before, allowing for the huge rehydration we see today.
Two really big changes in the sport, seems like it could be considered a greatly influential fight. Maybe not the most well known or most loved, but absolutely important.
I can't think of the names involved but there's also a big one where an american slave comes over to challenge the current british champ.
Tom Molineaux vs. Tom Cribb
It was crazy important. I read about it in a Budd Schulberg book.
http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php/Tom_Cribb_vs._Tom_Molineaux_%281st_meeting%29
Mancini/Kim was the official fight when championship fights went from 15 to 12 right?.. I suppose a top 5 might be more fitting than 3.
Maybe even a 10..
Actually I changed my mind. Duk Koo Kim v. Boom Boom Mancini, or Gatti vs. Gamache.
Both changed the rules of boxing which in my opinion is pretty important.
Mancini/Kim was the official fight when championship fights went from 15 to 12 right?.. I suppose a top 5 might be more fitting than 3.
Absolutely impossible to name 3 fights that are more important than any other. There's a massive list of fights that could be argued for this. Your's are good examples.
Actually I changed my mind. Duk Koo Kim v. Boom Boom Mancini, or Gatti vs. Gamache.
Both changed the rules of boxing which in my opinion is pretty important.
Jack Johnson vs Tommy Burns was important
I can't think of the names involved but there's also a big one where an american slave comes over to challenge the current british champ.