How Often have the 2 best fighters in the world fought each other in boxing?

[1SILVA]

With the Mayweather-Pacquaio fight being potentially the two best fighters in the world at the present time facing each other, how often has that occurred in the history of boxing?

Leonard-Duran I&II(1980)
Leonard-Hearns I(1981)
Hagler-Hearns (1985)
Frazier-Foster(1970)
Ali-Frazier I(1971)
Whitaker-Chavez(1993)

These are some possibilities. Any others?

[AntonTheMeh]

frazier and foster ? i don't know about that. maybe gomez vs sanchez, holyfield lewis?

[Stoppage]

Officially, Whitaker vs Chavez was the only fight where the top 2 P4P fighters fought.

[sonnyboyx2]

Officially, Whitaker vs Chavez was the only fight where the top 2 P4P fighters fought.

rubbish... officially says who?

Leonard vs Hearns 1
Leonard vs Duran 1
Ali v Frazier 1

[Stoppage]

rubbish... officially says who?

Leonard vs Hearns 1
Leonard vs Duran 1
Ali v Frazier 1

When most people want official P4P rankings, they look at Ring Magazine. If not, that's fine.

But do you really think that Ali and Frazier were rated as the top two P4P fighters in the world? Seems unlikely.

[TheGreatA]

Henry Armstrong vs Barney Ross

[1SILVA]

When most people want official P4P rankings, they look at Ring Magazine. If not, that's fine.

But do you really think that Ali and Frazier were rated as the top two P4P fighters in the world? Seems unlikely.

In 1971, who were better fighters than Ali and Frazier? Bob Foster, carlos Monzon and/or Jose Napoles? There is an argument to be made that Ali and Frazier were the 2 best fighters at that time. Certainly Ken Buchanan wasn't

[Stoppage]

In 1971, who were better fighters than Ali and Frazier? Bob Foster, carlos Monzon and/or Jose Napoles? There is an argument to be made that Ali and Frazier were the 2 best fighters at that time. Certainly Ken Buchanan wasn't

Ali came off a long layoff. I doubt he was still rated as either #1 or #2 P4P. Frazier is understandable.

Personally, I think Monzon and Frazier would've been in the top 2. Ali would probably still be somewhere in the top 10, though.

[1SILVA]

Ali came off a long layoff. I doubt he was still rated as either #1 or #2 P4P. Frazier is understandable.

Personally, I think Monzon and Frazier would've been in the top 2. Ali would probably still be somewhere in the top 10.

I'd have no argument if you put Monzon ahead of Ali. I can't see Ali no less that 3rd in the world at the time, as he beat the #1 contender Quarry in his first fight and the very tough Bonavena in the 2nd fight. Monzon no doubt could have been the second best at the time.

[TheGreatA]

I don't think Monzon that highly rated in 1971. Napoles had lost to Billy Backus on a cut. It's arguable that Ali and Frazier were the two best fighters in the world at the time.

Of course Locche, Foster and Olivares also had a claim.