Overrated and underrated big fights

[The Smash]

A lot of people might disagree but I think Hagler-Hearns is very overrated. Outside of some moments in the first round, the large majority of that fight belonged to Hagler in one sided fashion. Over the years that fight has been embellished into a three round slugfest.

I don't agree with you about Hagler-Hearns, but I know what you mean about the narrative of a fight getting distorted, because of what it represented. I think Leonard-Hearns I is slightly overrated for exactly that reason; it was two prime all-time greats mixing it up with a dramatic ending. However, I've seen it 3 times, and there are a lot of rounds where very little happens. The momentum shifts are striking when they happen, but I think there are too many lulls in the action for it to stand up against Barrera-Morales, Corrales-Castillo et al.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Joe mesi vs jirov and monte barrett were some pretty entertaining fights

[joseph5620]

Joe mesi vs jirov and monte barrett were some pretty entertaining fights

I remember the Mesi-Jirov fight well. I think it pretty much ended Mesi's boxing career.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

I remember the Mesi-Jirov fight well. I think it pretty much ended Mesi's boxing career.

Yeah, he got exposed late in both fights... He would always start fast and look dominant, maybe score a knockdown or 2 but he would always gas and basically a punching bag late in fights. If I remember correctly both were 10 rounders, and had they been 12 rds, I think he gets stopped in both of them. But both were very dramatic as both barrett and jirov had to make sizable comebacks after mesi' fast starts.

[Anthony342]

I guess that's why he never fought past 10 rounds. I prefer 10 round fights anyway. Yeah, just looked him up, subdural hematoma shortened his career after this.

[BoxVillaKO]

it pains me to agree with you, but Hagler vs Hearns is very overrated. The reasons which you point out. Yet other than myself, i have yet to read another poster mention or accept Hearns broke his right hand in the opening round?.. it is fact that is what happened, just like "Battle of the long count" or "The Fan~Man" fight.. Hagler had nothing to do other than "walk down" Hearns after the opening round...Pryor vs Arguello (2) Mancini vs Frias, Ali vs Foreman... were just as exciting a opening round as Hagler vs Hearns.

I tend to agree. Many have stated that Hagler-Hearns is the greatest fight in recent history. Hagler-Mugabi and Hearns-Roldan were up to par with those matches.

I think the first round can be considered among the greatest rounds in middleweight history. However, i rather watch 12 or 15 rounds of great fighting than a nine minute match that was carried mainly by one round.

[joseph5620]

it pains me to agree with you, but Hagler vs Hearns is very overrated. The reasons which you point out. Yet other than myself, i have yet to read another poster mention or accept Hearns broke his right hand in the opening round?.. it is fact that is what happened, just like "Battle of the long count" or "The Fan~Man" fight.. Hagler had nothing to do other than "walk down" Hearns after the opening round...Pryor vs Arguello (2) Mancini vs Frias, Ali vs Foreman... were just as exciting a opening round as Hagler vs Hearns.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Why does hearns get a pass, because he broke his right hand??

He broke his hand by dropping bombs on hagler, but instead of laying a guy out like he did duran, hagler just walked thru it... Does hagler not get credit for being a tough SOB that walked thru fire and brimstone to get to tommy

[BennyST]

Gatti vs Ward
Corrales vs Castillo

both overrated fights

Awesome choice bro! Totally overrated fights them.

Let me guess your underrated fights....

Lewis vs Klitschko
Lewis vs Grant
Lewis vs Holyfield
Lewis vs Morrison
Lewis vs Tua

Just Lewis really? I know you think he's underrated.

[BennyST]

Why does hearns get a pass, because he broke his right hand??

He broke his hand by dropping bombs on hagler, but instead of laying a guy out like he did duran, hagler just walked thru it... Does hagler not get credit for being a tough SOB that walked thru fire and brimstone to get to tommy

What does he get a pass for? I'm pretty sure that everyone remembers he lost the fight and that Hagler won it, by KO, in three rounds. Clearly establishing his dominance. What else do you need? An annual Hearns humiliation day?