Your personal Favorite Fight of All Time, and why

[TitoFan]

It doesn’t have to be the greatest fight of all time… just your personal favorite. What fight did you see that thrilled you the most? That instantly became your personal favorite of all time? That you’d watch over and over again?

My own Favorite Fight of All Time (no surprise here) was the Trinidad-Vargas fight.

There are many factors involved. First, Tito was on the rise and had already won the hearts of Puerto Rican boxing fans everywhere. He was starting to get the vastly overdue recognition from the U.S. media after his win (albeit controversial) over Oscar de la Hoya. Then… there was the Puerto Rican-Mexican boxing rivalry thing. Few sporting events get the people here (in P.R.) as excited as a PR-Mexican championship fight.

Then there was Vargas himself. Young, arrogant, and undefeated… a tough brawler and puncher who distanced himself from De la Hoya when he claimed: “This Mexican won’t run.”

So the buildup to the fight was tremendous. I admit to have been a bit nervous, ‘cause I had seen Vargas in some impressive KO victories. Then there was the fight itself. Vargas knocking over the fake stone blocks in his grand entrance to the ring, complete with Aztec warriors and fire coming out of the ground. Then while getting the last pre-fight instructions, Vargas’ look of total disdain toward Tito. One of his handlers pulled him away briefly for a last minute shot of water (yes, I remember… I’ve seen it many times), and when Vargas turned back toward Tito, he came to within inches of Tito’s face. Real intimidating stuff.

Then the bell rang. First, let me mention that my house was full of people watching the fight. I had to take the TV out to the terrace so everyone would fit (and to minimize any damage from excessive celebrations). Anyway, when Tito knocked Vargas down in the very first round, we all erupted in wild cheering. I thought the fight was over. But to Vargas’ credit (and what made the fight an instant classic), he showed his heart and his guts, and he survived that first round. Not only that, the fight became a tremendous battle of survival, with both men giving and taking with all they had. There was a nervous quiet stretch, when Vargas knocked Tito down and won some of those middle rounds.

Then the end of the fight. I wanted a knockout, not a decision. And when the KO came, it was delirium all over again.

Some people don’t understand this, but boxing can cause this sort of thing like few other sporting events can. To the British boxing fans here, can you imagine the scene in Las Vegas (and all across England) had Hatton somehow pulled off not just a win, but a KO victory over Floyd Mayweather? Hell… they’d STILL be clearing the streets of Las Vegas and in Manchester. Also, although not very big in Puerto Rico or the U.S., how about football? (or what we call “soccer”) Anyone who watches the news knows just how intense the fans at a soccer match can be. Especially when rival countries are facing each other. Well… that’s what it’s like.

So although there’s probably been better fights (though I can’t think of many), Trinidad-Vargas is MY alltime personal favorite. What’s yours?

[HattonTheHammer]

top stuff tito, when i first read the title of the thread i assumed this would be your fave fight solely in terms of the action inside the ring...was pleasently surprised to see you opted for a home town hero partaking in a superfight.

Being a born and bred englishmen for pure fight euphoria hatton-mayweather tops it all. Dont know about the attention it got in americabut it was the single biggest sporting event of 2007 in the UK and one of those special moments that transcends the sport to the next level.

Remember having a mate driving us to leicester square at 2.30 on a sunday morning and seeing streets that are normally derelict at that time of night ram packed full of party goers desperately seeking somewhere to watch the fight.

It was on the front and back pages of all the tabloid papers on the day of the fight and whether you were watching a newscast or listening to the radio it was all on everyones minds.

Though the fight itself proved to be a great anti-climax in that our boy took a bit of a hiding it gave boxing the much needed recognition it had needed in the UK since the days of lennox lewis and got kids all over the country into their local boxing gyms to take up the sport.

[Lance Uppercut]

Mine is Tyson vs Douglas. It is the first fight I ever watch, and it got me hooked.

[TitoFan]

top stuff tito, when i first read the title of the thread i assumed this would be your fave fight solely in terms of the action inside the ring...was pleasently surprised to see you opted for a home town hero partaking in a superfight.

Being a born and bred englishmen for pure fight euphoria hatton-mayweather tops it all. Dont know about the attention it got in americabut it was the single biggest sporting event of 2007 in the UK and one of those special moments that transcends the sport to the next level.

Remember having a mate driving us to leicester square at 2.30 on a sunday morning and seeing streets that are normally derelict at that time of night ram packed full of party goers desperately seeking somewhere to watch the fight.

It was on the front and back pages of all the tabloid papers on the day of the fight and whether you were watching a newscast or listening to the radio it was all on everyones minds.

Though the fight itself proved to be a great anti-climax in that our boy took a bit of a hiding it gave boxing the much needed recognition it had needed in the UK since the days of lennox lewis and got kids all over the country into their local boxing gyms to take up the sport.

This is exactly the kind of stuff that generates new interest in this great sport of boxing. Although the outcome of the Hatton-PBF fight wasn't what British fans would've liked, it still generated tons of new interest in the sport. I remember the parades and homecoming parties when Tito would come back from one of his huge victories. It was awesome. And the night of the Vargas fight... cars were screeching their tires and blaring their horns for hours after the fight. I myself was hoarse for three days from all the screaming and yelling during and immediately after the fight.

[southakron314]

All of the Gatti Ward's.

[OumaFan]

Honestly I have no idea, been trying to think of it and I find I can't just choose one. Some fights that I don't think get enough credit: Chacon-Limon 4, Ward-Burton, Toney-Jirov, and another one that I've totally forgotten. There are a whole lot of other ones.

So basically I'm giving a non-answer.

[The Fightfan]

Well I followed closely when I was younger by the time the Oscar Tito fight happend I was hooked but after that desicion I stopped watching boxing.For my first fight back I remember seeing Arturo Gatti vs Mickey Ward and I said ah what the hell I haven't watched boxing in a few years.Then the next thing I know I am the only guy in the township who has probably watched Eugene Crickey vs Johnny Kilbane for the featherweight strap and know who won.


Now that I didn't answer your question.I would at certain times I liked certain fight's. Holyfield vs Tyson in '96 also that year the Bowe Golota fight's.Recent times Calzaghe vs Lacy for some reason always stick's in my head,Tarver knocking Jones Jr out and then Glen Johnson.Like I said Certain fight's at certain points in my life never could say just 1.

[Master]

The one I will choose that got me off my seat was Benn v McClellan. I had always been a fan of Benn but I knew that Gerald was the bomb as I had seen him destroy Julian Jackson and just did not think Benn would win. Felt King and Warren had set him up to loose. When he survived that first round and slowly come back and landed his bombs I was jumping for joy. Never normally do that but the comeback was amazing and to pull off the victory was magic!

[:::PSL:::]

Leonard-Hearns I

[RozzySean]

Honestly I have no idea, been trying to think of it and I find I can't just choose one. Some fights that I don't think get enough credit: Chacon-Limon 4, Ward-Burton, Toney-Jirov, and another one that I've totally forgotten. There are a whole lot of other ones.

So basically I'm giving a non-answer.

Ward/Burton-Augustus is my #1,

Honorable mention to Duran/Leonard 1, Hagler/Mugabi, and Toney/Jirov.

[GAME]

Barrera vs Morales 1

The poor decision cant take away what a great contest it was. Ive seen the fight over and over again cuz of the sheer quality

What made it so great was teh passion both guys showed in there. Alot of fighters know when theyre beat but these two didnt, they just kept going fighting through the pain. Barrera seemed to have the edge defensivley and the faster, more powerful hands but Morales would never allow himself to be dominated and fought fire with fire.

Just when you thought 1 guy was finally wilting, back he'd come with an assult of his own and there were many times I thought Morales was out on his feet which he was honourable enough to admit aftewards but he somehow managed to hang in there . I thought he'd never be the same again and it did take him a while to find his form after that brawl.

Barrera went on to greatness and scored 2 wins against Morales but it was the 1st fight which was the classic for me.

[El Kabong]

Well this is going to sound horrible but here it goes....


I had a sparring session vs this guy at my gym. He was a former golden gloves winner....I totally owned him landing like 30 jabs in a round not to mention the numerous right crosses and left hooks I landed to boot.

Anyway it was one of my better sparring sessions and it had to be stopped early because I beat the crap out of him but that wasn't the best part....

A few days later I learned that this guy had murdered his step father with a knife and he's now in prison. He was also like addicted to crack and had mental issues like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder or something which ain't great either




So I basically whipped the crap out of a insane murderer....it makes you feel a little bit tougher after knowing that



True story

[GAME]

Well this is going to sound horrible but here it goes....


I had a sparring session vs this guy at my gym. He was a former golden gloves winner....I totally owned him landing like 30 jabs in a round not to mention the numerous right crosses and left hooks I landed to boot.

Anyway it was one of my better sparring sessions and it had to be stopped early because I beat the crap out of him but that wasn't the best part....

A few days later I learned that this guy had murdered his step father with a knife and he's now in prison. He was also like addicted to crack and had mental issues like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder or something which ain't great either




So I basically whipped the crap out of a insane murderer....it makes you feel a little bit tougher after knowing that



True story

Nice 1

I once had a fight with a guy who I knew then afew years later I found out that he commited suicide after murdering someone cuz he didnt wana go back to prison . Glad I lost contact with him now.

[Youngblood]

My first santioned amateur fight will always be my favorite fight of all time. I went in scared shitless, thought I was total crap at boxing, was in grade 7 and was fighting' a dude 3 years older in grade 10 and 10 lbs heavier. Fought him in his hometown and got boo'd by 1000 people in a casino as I entered the ring which didn't exactly help my confidence. Then proceeded to punch the absolute snot out of him from the second the bell rang...

Never got hit once and realized right there that maybe i didn't suck, and that boxing was purdy freakin' cool!

[DaxxKahn]

WoW this is a tough one I have a few that all rank the same but for a few different reasons...Just to name a couple in no particular order...

Hagler/Hearns...I am a HUGE Hearns fan and Hagler fan as well...Tommy was stepping up to try and claim another world title in a new weight class and Hagler was tough as nails seemingly unbeatable at the time (and this was a time where even the second tier fighters were top notch EG Mugabi,)...It was a bout we all knoew before it started it could end with 1 shot either way...It lived up to it's hype and more...the 3 most exciting rounds of all time IMO

Arguello/Pryor 1....Alexis was so good and soo loved...Pryor so mean and loved to fight!!...Was he going to be proven nothing more then a brawler and have some respect beaten into him by Arguello or was he going to break the thin man and establish himself as the most feared man in boxing under 160lbs...again it lived up to it's hype..action, heartbreak..skill, agressiveness...you name it this fight had it

Leonard/Hearns 1...No need to explain this one

I can name a bunch but I would be here all day