What’s the Greatest Win in Boxing History?

[The Six Four]

Excellent post, TitoFan. You're right—it’s a mix of factors. Was the winner the underdog? How were the fighters perceived going in? Were they among the best in their division or the sport as a whole? Your pick of Leonard over Hearns is one that comes closest to my choice of Ali over Foreman (as does Duran over Leonard). Hearns was in his prime, a devastating puncher, and considered one of the sport’s best at the time. Ali vs. Frazier III remains my all-time favorite fight. Great posting.


ykdadamaja, the second Gatti vs. Ward fight was brilliant, as was the entire trilogy. But for me, it doesn't quite make the cut for greatest wins since neither was viewed as the best in their division or among the P4P elite. That said, from the moment the first fight was signed, everyone knew it was going to be a war.


Primo Carnera, I agree—Ali over Foreman is my pick, but this thread has surfaced many fights worthy of consideration. My closest runners-up are Duran over Leonard and Leonard over Hearns.

[The Six Four]

One fight worth mentioning—and I'd love to hear the forum's thoughts on—is Whitaker vs. Chavez. While not an official win, it was a clear statement. At the time, they were seen as the two best P4P fighters, with Chavez at 87-0 and Whitaker at 32-1. Chavez was above his best weight and slightly past his prime, but a fight at 135 or 140 a few years earlier could have played out differently. What do you all think?

[Master]

Chavez was my favourite boxer, instantly fell in love with him when he came to France and defended his title battering Barrios.

Sweet Pea was a genius boxer who no one could figure out and beat. He was cheated out of victories and at his best no one could beat him. Whitaker was one of the greatest lightweights ever and think he could beat Duran, that is how high I rate him. He genuinely was too good for his own good.

My bias view was that Pernell won 7-5 but the contest was the biggest p4p matchup as both were near their primes and close at their best weights.