This is a list of the best boxing matches of all time. Today we look at a list of boxing matches that are immortal, the guts, the bravery, desire to win and sheer determination that have made these matches stand the test of time. We look into some of the most iconic and legacy defining fights that have ever happened in the ring.
The Rumble in the Jungle
October 30, 1974 George Foreman and Muhammad Ali met in Kinshasa, Zaire The event had an attendance of 60,000 people. The fight was watched by a record estimated television audience of 1 billion viewers worldwide, becoming the world’s most-watched live television broadcast at the time.
The bout has since become one of the most famous fights of all time because it resulted in Ali, against the odds, regaining the title against a younger and stronger Foreman. Who was considered to be the most dangerous boxer on the planet at the time.
Foreman went into this fight with 40 wins in a row, including a KO win of Frazier. Foreman was a 1/7 favorite going into the fight and you can see why. Ali utilized his “rope-a-dope” tactic which was considered bizarre – letting a man that destroys everything that stands before him unload upon you. He wore the bigger man down overtime and managed to stop him in the 8th round, many fights defined Ali as the greatest of all time but I feel this one is top.
“I’ll never be able to win that match, so I had to let it go. Ali is the greatest man I’ve ever known. Not greatest boxer, that’s too small for him”
Foreman in an interview – 2003
‘No Más’
The pair had met previously where Duran managed to get Leonard to fight the way he wanted him to. Abandoning his usual slick on the toes style he went toe to toe with Duran; a fight he was never going to win. To say Duran celebrated his win would be an understatement. He was partying every single night and was close to 200lbs. When Leonard’s team got word of this they rushed for an immediate rematch. Out of shape and unprepared Duran took a beating, Leonard fought the fight the way he wanted to. Duran waved his glove, turned his back and called out to referee Octavio Meyran, “No más” The fight was over.
“It was calculated on my part, I knew Duran was overweight and partying big time. I’ve done some partying myself, but I know when to cut it out. I said to Mike Let’s do it now, as soon as possible. In retrospect, it was pretty clever of me.”
Leonard to George Kimball in Four Kings
The War
April 15, 1985 Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns met for their highly anticipated fight at Caesars Palace Nevada. “The War” war being an understatement. Undoubtedly one of the best fights of all time despite only lasting three rounds. Many consider these rounds to be the best in boxing history. Two warriors fought it out back and forth neither wanted to box both wanted to fight.
This bout was named fight of the year in 1985. It goes down as one of the best boxing matches of all time in my opinion.
Gatti vs Ward
The best boxing matches of all time
From 2001 – 2003 “Irish” Micky Ward was involved in all three fights of the year; two of which he shared a ring with Arturo Gatti. These two were made for each other in the ring. These two fought like they were stars in a real life Rocky movie. So much bloody was spilt but they ended the trilogy as good friends.
“I used to wonder what would happen if I fought my twin. Now I know.” – Ward
Gatti lost his life under mysterious circumstances in 2009. Many suspect foul play but we may never know. At the funeral Ward threw a left hook at Arturo Gatti’s coffin. He said it was his way of lovingly saying “I got you last”
The three matches these two shared I personally feel were one of if not the best boxing matches of all time.