Classic chess matches.

[TBear]

Leonard-Benitez

First thing that popped into my head when I seen this thread.

[sonnyboyx2]

Robinson/Gavilan produced chess matches both times.

Gavilan is an unheralded, unsung, under-appreciated, underrated welterweight. Whenever welterweight greats are discussed, the kid is always in the shadows, garnering a few mentions, but never a principal player. This could be a mistake. I know of no one else who forced a dead-center prime Robinson to say, "Okay, then, I'll just box ya, ya sonofab*tch." I am assuming Robinson did not do that because he liked the kid or felt sorry for him.

Come to think of it, Robinson's ring intelligence is on high display in merely the obvious fact that he understood so quickly, forget the fight itself. Ray was one of the ring's great killers. He was always a great boxer/puncher, but only one guy got the respect of turning him into a pure boxer, at least much closer to pure. He would have taken Gavilan's scalp anytime he could get it, and might have tried a few times. Basically, though, it was fighting Bernard Hopkins or Andre Ward at their own game and beating them, ya sonofab*tch.

Unless Ray had sparred with Gavilan previously, I am in awe of his adjustment, and how quickly it came.

I haven't watched those fights in a few years, because there are more exciting things than chess matches. But that is how I recall remembering them.

Please explain to me, were and when you actually watched Robinson vs Gavilan 1 & 2 ....... ?

[sonnyboyx2]

By a few years do you mean 70 years and you was there live ?, Gavilan - Robinson was never televised and there's very very little chance any footage exists, maybe you're getting Gavilan confused with someone else ?.

Sorry Chris.. i posted above before reading your post. You are correct, Robinson vs Gavilan was never filmed, there is not footage ever been known of it.

[jiopsi]

Karpov - Kasparov WC85 Game 16

[IronDanHamza]

My favourite is Harold Johnson vs Ezzard Charles.

That is just pure skill on display.

Emile Griffith-**** Tiger (both fights)

[BrometheusBob.]

Karpov - Kasparov WC85 Game 16

Was just about to make a post like this.... lol green K'd.

[billeau2]

First thing that popped into my head when I seen this thread.

haha me as well

I would add Patterson Moorer to this list. Moorer setting traps floyd backing off... etc.

[BennyST]

Lots...too many in fact...

McCallum vs Kalambay
Rose vs Harada (despite Harada's aggression, an excellent chess match)
Jose Napoles vs Curtis Cokes
Starling vs Brown
Laguna vs Ortiz fights
Sasakul/Kittikasem vs Arbachakov

...

[Scott9945]

The Donald Curry-Marlon Starling fights.

[Anthony342]

Kasparov vs. Anand.