In boxing, one of the most memorable fights people have watched is between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather since both of them pack a punch on the battle stage. However, there are those fights that are just budding to become the most memorable in history.
In this article, we look at some of the historic sports fights we have encountered throughout recent times and see how they live up to the hype of their time. Remember, the fight did not necessarily have to be good to be memorable, but they were all matched by larger-than-life names against compelling enemies within impactful situations.
These are the most memorable sports fights in history.
Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson
HBO and Showtime worked together to produce this huge event between Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis. This event was hotly anticipated, generating tons of revenues for all parties involved in its conception. During the match, you could tell how everyone was so desperate to see these two fight it in the ring.
When HBO oversaw Lewis and Showtime handling Tyson, the two networks put aside their rivalries to create a historic and legendary fight for the ages. During the match, Tyson clearly was a shell of his past glory as he was easy prey for the longer, taller, and more dedicated Lewis. Nothing was terribly close to the fight as Tyson did not get close enough to eating at Lennox’s children when he declared that in a pre-fight rant.
In the end, Lewis concluded a one-sided match in Round 8.
Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao
At the time, this was the dream match so many sports fans had been waiting for. Oscar De La Hoya’s bout with Manny Pacquiao in December 2008 fuelled Filipino pride to newer heights and their development through a pound-for-pound sensation that awakened the beast within. However, a similar fight that has the same degree of intensity and hype recently happening is the Jake Paul fight with Nate Diaz, which culminates in a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) boxing match set between these two big superstars.
While it is up to the test of time whether that fight between them would be memorable and historic, the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya certainly made headlines and was considered to be legendary. The Pacman Pacquiao cut through De La Hoya so fast that you could hardly see the impact of his gloves on his face.
This was the end of Oscar’s career while Manny was catapulted to greater levels and transcended to an international superstar.
Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling II
This match happened in 1938, which was a sensitive time for America and the world in question. As African Americans remained in the initial stages of their struggle to achieve equal rights for all, Nazi Germany’s menace started to creep shadows over Europe. This type of circumstance would eventually lead to the defense of the World Heavy Weight Championship of Joe Louis against former champion Max Schmeling.
Before the fight, then President Franklin D. Roosevelt talked with Louis, expressing his support, and giving him a talk about the current state between Germany and the United States. Because of that, Louis stated in his biography in 1976 that he knew that his whole country depended on him winning.
The German champion fought gallantly, which hurt Louis, and became the first man to stop his professional career through a 12th-round knockout. With the two of them on a collision course, the world’s political landscape then became the central story figure in the hype and promotion of the fight.
As such, Schmeling was treated like a hero by Nazi Germany albeit refusing to join the party and rejecting Hitler’s claims of racial supremacy. During the fight, Louis swiftly ended the fight, which knocked Schmeling out of the picture in the first round.
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III
This match was a thriller in Manila, which is the home country of the famous Manny Pacman Pacquiao. As Ali had to avenge his previous defeat to Frazier, the two met for the most hyped match in boxing history in 1975.
Ali began the fight with sharp jabs and hits, but sooner, Frazier found his rhythm during the middle rounds, becoming a war of attrition with both clearly exhausted. The point of no return came in Round 13 as Ali took command, unleashing a barrage of hell on Frazier. The cornerman of Frazier, Eddie Futch, gave him one more round to exact his revenge, but even then, he did not want to end the fight, but no reason existed to continue his punishment.
It was all but assured that Ali won the fight when Futch stopped the bout between the 14th and 15th match rounds.
Conclusion
These have been some of the most memorable and historic fights in boxing history. From the 1970s to the 2000s, there have been many moments in history where boxing transcended international boundaries and people united for a common sport.
