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Whenever people bring up the biggest fights in the history of boxing, heavyweights are what gets focused on the most.
That’s why today we’re going to look at the biggest non-heavyweight fights in history. It’s important to remember that this list isn’t going over the best bouts, but the ones that were the most anticipated. Make sure to check out our list of the top online sportsbooks so you know where to go bet on the next big fight.
This fight saw the Puerto Rican knockout expert Wilfredo GĂłmez, the reigning junior featherweight champion who was undefeated with 32 KOs in 32 fights, square off against Mexican Salvador Sanchez. Sanchez at the time was far less known, despite having a record of 40-1.
Most money at the betting counter was going towards Gomez, despite Sanchez defending his WBC world featherweight title. Who could blame though, Sanchez was somewhat unknown while Gomez had his 32 KO streak.
In the lead up to the fight, Gomez made it known that he would look to end it early with a knockout. Everyone betting on the fight seemed to buy into that narrative as well. Our best boxing betting sites will show you where the money is going for any upcoming fight.
As soon as the fight started, it was clear that Sanchez was the better boxer, and it wasn’t close to everyone watching. Gomez made it interesting and gave it all he had, bit he took a beating from Sanchez and the fight was ultimately stopped in the eighth round.
Perhaps the most hyped light-heavyweight title fight to ever happen. This division had a ton of great fighters in 70’s and into the 80’s, these two however, were the best of that era. Spinks really dictated the pace of that whole fight and won in a comfortable decision over Braxton.
Sugar Ray Robinson had just lost middleweight title to Randolph Turpin in London, however only 64 days he got a chance to win it back in front of a crowd of over 61,000 at the New York Polo Grounds on September 12th, 1951. The New York Times James P. Dawson wrote, “The contest surpasses in interest anything in middleweight history and will shatter all financial records for a non-heavyweight fight.”
After his first loss Robinson was no longer considered unbeatable and suffered early in this rematch. Turpin opened up a cut over Robinson’s eye early. It looked like it could be another defeat until Robinson woke up and dropped Turpin to the mat in the 10th. The battered Brit was shaken from then on the referee stopped the fight making Robinson the champion once again.
A legendary fight that took place between an undefeated champion Aaron Pryor and Alexis Arguello who had already cemented his place in boxing history. Arguello moved up a weight class to fight and landed some heavy shots that seemed to have little effect on Pryor. This was one of those fights where the action truly lived up to the hype.
The now ubiquitous HBO series 24/7 had just launched to prep the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight. This was a groundbreaking series at the time, taking an inside look at training camps, and getting inside the minds of the two of boxing biggest stars before their fight. This would become the best selling PPV match in the history of boxing at the time.
The fight would make $19 million and pass 1997’s Holyfield vs. Tyson record. The fight itself was a duel, but Mayweather would eventually come out on top.
People had called for this fight for years and by the time it happened it was likely five years too late. It didn’t help either that the fight wound up being relatively boring, and it’s hard for me to include it so high up on this list. Still, this was one of those rare fights that was built up to be bigger than the sport of boxing itself.
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At the time, this fight was being likened to Leonard vs. Hearns. However, these guys just weren’t as good, and the fight was flat out boring. The lead up rapped into the Mexico and Puerto Rico boxing rivalries even though De La Hoya was born in the U.S.. Still, this was a fight to determine the best young fighter in the sport.
Being that it happened right around the turn of the century, the fight was called, “The Fight of the Millennium.” It didn’t live up to that moniker though.
De La Hoya toyed with Trinidad and won the early rounds easily. He was in control through the midway point of the fight and it seemed like there was no way he could lose. You know how boxing can be though, and the fight was scored for Tito, with one judge at least giving a draw.
If I was only going on the quality of the fight, this would be top two, but the build up of this fight just wasn’t as big as those listed below. Still, many looked forward to this big fight as Hearns had just knocked out Roberto Duran who gave Hagler a hard fought 15 rounds in their fight the year before.
Hearns went right at Hagler from the start, but Hagler, whose face was bloodied, took everything Tommy could throw at him then demolished him for the last five minutes of the fight.
Leonard had everything in his favor coming into the fight. The location, the size of the ring, and age as Hagler was at the end of his career. However, Leonard hadn’t fought in three years and to win he’d need to fight the perfect fight. This decision was a tough one as Leonard obviously won the first half, but then Hagler stormed back in the second half. Still, most people didn’t give Leonard even a shot coming in.
This was a clash of Titans as two of the best welterweights in history squared off. Hearns was known for his aggressive fighting style, but he actually out boxed Leonard throughout this fight. Thigns turned in the later rounds and Leonard finally started fighting on the front foot. Leonard was trailing on every fight card, but was able to stop Hearns cold and get a TKO in the 14th round.
“The Brawl in Montreal” is my Ali vs. Frazier when it comes to non-heavyweight fights. Leonard vs. Duran should be put in anyone’s top 10 of all-time. Sugar Ray was THE American boxer at the time and had just beaten Wilfred Benitez in 1979. Duran was tearing through the lightweight division for almost a decade before coming up to welterweight to fight Leonard.
This fight lived up to, and even exceeded all the hype. Box fighters went toe to toe and went the distance for an exciting 15 rounds.
There you have it! Our top 11 non-heavyweight fights of all time. What do you think? Did we miss anything or leave something out? Let us know in the comments below!
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