Alpha, Duran over Barkley was a magnificent performance. A natural lightweight, Duran had no business competing with guys that size at 37—let alone beating them. Even more impressive, Barkley was coming off a KO win over Tommy Hearns. As incredible as it was, I still rate the Leonard win higher.

Foreman knocking out Moorer is the stuff of folklore. As I recall, George had to sue the WBA just to get the title shot. And wasn’t he wearing the same trunks from the Rumble in the Jungle?

I consider Randolph Turpin’s unforgettable win over Sugar Ray Robinson the biggest upset ever scored by a British fighter. Robinson may have been partying hard during his European tour, but Turpin built a lead Sugar just couldn’t close. Robinson himself admitted, “I was beaten by the better man.”


Master, I should have been clearer in my opening post—that’s on me. When I asked about the greatest win in boxing history, I meant a victory over an opponent at their absolute peak. I agree Schmeling hadn’t lost in years, but reports suggested he was past his prime. Same with Jeffries, who was coming off a six-year retirement.

The Ali that fought Frazier in 1971 wasn’t the same fighter he was in '66. He still recorded great wins afterward, but I think it’s fair to say he wasn’t quite the prime Clay we remembered.

And yes, I think Tyson’s lavish lifestyle had caught up to him by the time he fought Douglas. Losing Cus, Jacobs, and Cayton only accelerated the spiral.


TitoFan, Leonard over Hearns is a fantastic pick. At the time, in the U.S., those two were the boxers who mattered. The Showdown delivered everything fans could hope for. What made it so special was the role reversal—Leonard’s power became a factor, and Hearns’ boxing ability shined in ways few expected.


Master, Ruiz over Joshua and Bowe over Holyfield are interesting choices. I’ll have to think on them more, but both victories have strong arguments. Could we also add Usyk vs. Fury to that conversation?


TIC, Greb over Tunney doesn’t get the recognition it deserves these days—it was a phenomenal performance.

Armstrong over Barney Ross has to be up there, though some question if Ross was past his best. He only had one disputed loss in seven years, so that’s debatable.

Fitzsimmons stopping Corbett with the famous solar plexus punch is another classic. Reports suggest Corbett was in near-total control before that sudden ending. Corbett was the man who beat John L. Sullivan, and I think both were close to their primes.


Beanz, Wow, Beanz—Jem Mace vs. Tom Allen, now that’s a deep cut. That’s where the real lineage started. I only know the fight through accounts and round-by-round descriptions from those who were there.

Master mentioned Frazier over Ali, and I played devil’s advocate questioning if Ali was past his prime.

Hagler vs. Hearns is a brawl we all know well. It’s hard to find an equal to that first round—it made so many people fall in love with boxing. Imagine if Hearns hadn’t broken his hand in the first.