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.

[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.

[1g5a22]

hatton /mayweather,,,simply for the sheer spectacle,the fight caught the imagination of the world and it has to be THE weigh in to end all of em,it put boxing back on the map,lets be honest the sport was taking a pounding,one man put it back up there HATTON,,,ricky supporter till i die, win or lose.

duran v leonard 1 was great

lacy v calzaghe, complete missmatch, it was a complete masterclass in boxing, perfection.

and of course castillo/corrales.

[BoomBoom]

Probably Ali-Williams. That was the closest ive seen a fighter come to fighting a perfect fight. Absolute masterpiece ans Alis best performance.

[rene69]

It's just to hard to name just one. So here's some that had me on the edge of my seat with my heart pounding the 1st time i saw them live.

Arguello/Pryor 1(War)
Hagler/Hearns(War)
Castillo/Corrales 1(War)
Holyfield/Cooper( Cooper fought the fight of his life and made it a war)
Holyfield/Dokes(War)
Barrera/Morales1(War. It was painful watching this fight beacause i knew it would take something from them)
Carbajal/Gonzales1(Great fight)
Tyson/Douglas(I couldn't believe what i was seeing. Douglas looked like Ali that night)
Chavez/Taylor1(I jumped out of my seat (Happy)and yelled like a nut when steel stopped it)
Gatti/Ward1(War)
Ward/Agustus (war)
Benn/Mcclellan(I thought it was over in the 1st rd.)
Ramirez/Rosario 2(It looked over for Ramirez early on)
Duran/Moore(Because I thought Duran was finished going in)
Leonard/Hagler(Thought Leonard was finished going in)
Holyfield/Tyson1( I always knew Holy would beat this guy.Lost my voice for two days )

[Tito BHB]

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?

I concurr old friend

Its just like my main man larry mentioned.. I cant remember to quote him but it was generally something like..

Weve had three knockdowns..both guys hit the deck.. Two major fouls..and we're not even half way..

Thats from two prime undefeated fighters..

It easily goes down as my favourite fight of all time.

[denilson200]

I think for me it has to be Benn Vs McClellan was the best and yet most tragic fight of all time.

[El Kabong]

Resto-Collins Jr. was faaaaaar more tragic

[Scrap]

Leonard v Hearns 1, that night I saw the best two welters ever put on a story Fantastic both a credit they couldnt have done it without each other.