The Biggest Boxing Matches Of All Time

Matches To Remember

There’s nothing in sports like a championship boxing match. At its best, it's a showcase of athleticism and courage. It also has the potential for some crazy moments! Let’s look back at boxing’s biggest matches.

Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Thomas Hearns (1981)

The excitement surrounding this match was unprecedented as WBC welterweight champion Leonard engaged in a see-saw struggle with WBA champ Hearns. Leonard emerged victorious after a 14th round technical knockout (TKO), but the two would duel again in 1989.

 Ray Leonard vs Tommy Hearns I September 16, 1981 720p 60FPS HD HBO Replay, Mario Sanchez

Diego Corrales Vs Luis Castillo (2005)

This battle for the WBC lightweight belt is still being talked about. After 10 rounds of non-stop action, Jose Luis Castillo knocked Diego Corrales down twice in the 10th round. Corrales rallied back to batter Castillo until the referee stopped the match in one of the most incredible endings in boxing history.

 2005-05-07 Diego Corrales vs Jose Luis Castillo I [WBC/WBO Title] HD, Szapsel Rotholc

George Foreman Vs Ron Lyle (1976)

Two of the hardest punching heavyweights squared off in this action-packed struggle. Each boxer knocked the other down twice before Foreman landed a decisive knockout blow in the fifth round.

 George Foreman vs Ron Lyle - Legendary Night HD, ElTerribleProduction

Erik Morales Vs Marco Antonio Barrera III (2004)

This was the tie-breaker for these two bitter rivals in contention for Morales’ WBC super featherweight belt. A closely contested 12-round battle saw Morales try to rally in the last two rounds for a knockout win. The two battled toe-to-toe but both were still standing at the end of the match. The judges ruled a majority decision in favor of Barrera for an unforgettable victory.

 Erik Morales vs Marco Antonio Barrera III November 27, 2004 720p 60FPS HD Intl Feed/HBO Commentary, Mario Sanchez

Julio Cesar Chavez Vs Meldrick Taylor (1990)

These two undefeated light welterweight champions fought one of the most action-packed matches in boxing history. After Taylor got the better of the action for the first 10 rounds, Chavez began to rally. He knocked Taylor down with only two seconds to go. Taylor rose to his feet but referee Richard Steele stopped the fight, awarding Chavez a miraculous and controversial TKO victory.

 Julio Cesar Chavez vs Meldrick Taylor - Highlights (FIGHT of the DECADE), Jeff Jackson

Aaron Pryor Vs Alexis Arguello (1982)

This match between the masterful Arguello and the rugged Aaron Pryor went 14 rounds, with each man taking terrible punishment. Pryor finally won after a barrage of blows in the 14th round in what was called by many as “The Fight of the 80s”.

 ONE OF THE GREATEST SUPER FIGHTS OF ALL-TIME | Aaron Pryor vs Alexis Arguello | FREE FIGHT, Top Rank Boxing

Muhammad Ali Vs George Foreman (1974)

Muhammad Ali continued his quest to regain the World Heavyweight Title he’d been stripped of back in the 60s. Up against the explosive George Foreman, he laid back on the ropes for eight rounds before turning the tables on Foreman in an eighth-round knockout. The fight made Muhammad Ali a living legend.

 Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman Full Fight HD - Classic Bouts, PrestigeFights

Marvelous Marvin Hagler Vs Thomas Hearns (1985)

This battle between middleweight champion Hagler and challenger Hearns is known as one of the biggest and most ferocious battles in boxing history. After shaking off a right hand punch that would have knocked out a rhinoceros, Hagler wore down Hearns for a third-round victory on a TKO.

 Marvelous Marvin Hagler vs Thomas

Joe Frazier Vs Muhammad Ali (1971)

They called it the "Fight of the Century", and it lived up to its billing as undefeated former heavyweight champion Ali battled undefeated current champion Frazier. Frazier’s relentless effort was successful as he knocked Ali down twice on the way to an incredible unanimous decision win.

 Muhammad Ali Vs. Joe Frazier I, Ringside Videos

Jim Corbett Vs John L Sullivan (1892)

This fight happened way back in the early days of boxing, shortly after boxers started wearing gloves. Corbett outlasted Sullivan, finally knocking him out in the 21st round.

 Paul Thompson, Wikimedia Commons

Arturo Gatti Vs Mickey Ward I(2002)

The first battle of three between these light welterweight contenders saw 10 rounds of non-stop action between the two. The end of the struggle saw Ward emerge with a decision win. This was only the first of their three classic confrontations.

 Arturo Gatti vs Micky Ward I - Highlights (FIGHT of the Year), Jeff Jackson

Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Thomas Hearns (1989)

Leonard and Hearns answered the public call for a rematch of their legendary 1981 bout, squaring off again in a wild match for the WBC super middleweight title. Hearns knocked Leonard down twice in this fight, but Leonard rallied strongly in the 12th and final round, leading to a rare draw.

 'Sugar' Ray Leonard vs Thomas Hearns II June 12, 1989 1080p 60FPS HD HBO, Mario Sanchez

Jack Dempsey Vs Luis Angel Firpo (1923)

Luis Firpo knocked Dempsey down in the first minute of the match. Dempsey responded by knocking down Firpo seven times just in the first round. Firpo then knocked Dempsey clean out of the ring near the end of the first round. Dempsey got up, settled down in the second round and knocked out Firpo in one of the most eventful bouts in boxing history.

 Fight of the Year, 1923 : Jack Dempsey KO2 Luis Angel Firpo, BoxingJournals

Jack Johnson Vs Jim Jeffries (1910)

Known at the time as “The Fight of the Century”, this match was between the first Black heavyweight champion Jack Johnson and the undefeated White former champ Jim Jeffries, who came out of retirement to challenge Johnson. Amid charged racial tensions, Johnson stopped Jeffries in the 15th round, setting off race riots in the United States.

 Jack Johnson Vs Jim Jeffries - (July 4Th, 1910) - In Full Color, Legends Of Boxing In Color

Floyd Mayweather Vs Manny Pacquiao (2015)

The welterweight championship was on the line as Manny Pacquiao fell short against Mayweather on a unanimous decision loss. The fight raked in a record $410 million in pay-per-view revenues in the United States.

 FIGHT OF THE CENTURY - Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao - ON THIS DAY FREE FIGHT, Top Rank Boxing

Tyson Fury Vs Deontay Wilder II (2020)

Tyson Fury took the action to a game but outmatched Wilder in this memorable heavyweight tussle. Fury knocked Wilder down twice and Wilder’s corner threw in the towel in the seventh round.

 Wilder vs Fury 2 FULL FIGHT: February 22, 2020, Premier Boxing Champions

Muhammad Ali Vs Joe Frazier III (1975)

The fight Muhammad Ali called “The Thrilla in Manila”, this back-and-forth struggle went into the 14th round. Frazier wanted to keep going, but his corner wisely stopped the match as Frazier’s eyes were swollen nearly shut.

 Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier (III) 1975-10-01

George Foreman Vs Michael Moorer (1994)

George Foreman became the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history at 45 with his 10th round knockout of IBF and WBA heavyweight champ Michael Moorer. Wearing the same red and blue trunks he’d worn in 1974 during his loss to Muhammad Ali, the triumph closed a circle on Foreman’s remarkable career.

 George Foreman vs Michael Moorer | BRUTAL KNOCKOUT Boxing Fight | 4K Ultra HD, ElTerribleProduction

Mike Tyson Vs Trevor Berbick (1986)

The awesome punching power of Mike Tyson was the story in this historic match as Tyson knocked out the veteran WBC heavyweight champion Berbick. At the age of 20, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champ ever.

 Tyson vs Berbick - The Fight For The Title - Highlights - HD , ElTerribleProduction

Sugar Ray Robinson Vs Jake LaMotta VI (1951)

The sixth and final battle between Robinson and LaMotta saw Robinson claim LaMotta’s middleweight belt. The fight was stopped when the granite-jawed LaMotta refused to go down under Robinson’s relentless punching.

 1951-2-14 Jake LaMotta vs Ray Robinson VI, BoxNights

Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Marvelous Marvin Hagler (1987)

We’re still arguing about the outcome of this one! Always on the move, the elusive and lightning-fast Leonard won a split decision over middleweight champ Hagler in the most lucrative fight ever held up to that time—the two opponents made a combined $15 million.

 Sugar Ray Leonard vs Marvelous Marvin Hagler - APRIL 6, 1987, Top Rank Boxing

Andy Bowen Vs Jack Burke (1893)

These two gladiators battled to a “no contest” in the longest boxing match of all time, 110 rounds! After seven and a half hours of the slugfest, some fans were fast asleep in their seats. Referee John Duffy had seen enough, mercifully calling a halt to the action.

 Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Roberto Duran Vs Sugar Ray Leonard I (1980)

Sugar Ray Leonard defended his WBC welterweight belt against the man they called “Hands of Stone”, Roberto Duran. The 15-round struggle lived up to its hype as Duran won a close decision, setting up the infamous “No Mas” rematch later that year.

 Sugar Ray Leonard vs Roberto Duran 1 - The Brawl In Montreal - JUNE 20, 1980, Top Rank Boxing

Joe Louis Vs Billy Conn I (1941)

Heavyweight champion Joe Louis admitted that he made a mistake by underestimating Billy Conn, as the smaller challenger got the better of Louis for long stretches of their fight. Louis finally put and end to the business, knocking out the challenger in the 13th round for a memorable victory.

 Joe Louis vs Billy Conn 18.6.1941 - World Heavyweight Championship (Highlights w/ Fight Analysis), Classic Boxing Matches

Zolani Tete Vs Siboniso Gonya (2017)

In the time it takes for you to read this sentence, Zolani Tete retained his WBO bantamweight title with a knockout of Siboniso Gonya, just 11 seconds into the fight. It set a record for shortest boxing match ever.

 WORLD RECORD KO! Zolani Tete destroys Siboniso Gonya and calls out Ryan Burnett, BoxNation

Muhammad Ali Vs Sonny Liston (1964)

Ali shocked everyone with his dominating victory over the once-invincible Sonny Liston. Ali's memorable display of hand and foot speed has been overshadowed by his later matches, but this win was one of his best.

 Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston II

Rocky Marciano Vs Joe Walcott (1952)

Rocky Marciano cemented his legacy and the World Heavyweight Title with a 13th-round knockout of Jersey Joe Walcott. The dramatic victory came after Walcott had been leading for most of the fight.

 The Famous Knockout: Marciano KO's Walcott, Rocky Marchegiano

Carmen Basilio Vs Tony DeMarco II (1955)

It took everything Carmen Basilio had to retain his welterweight belt against Tony DeMarco’s onslaught. After breaking his hand in the early going, Basilio rallied to floor DeMarco twice for the TKO victory.

 Carmen Basilio vs. Tony DeMarco I - 1955 COLORIZED, Legends of Boxing in Color

Muhammad Ali Vs Ken Norton III (1976)

Ali defended his heavyweight title with a unanimous decision win over Ken Norton. But though the judges were unanimous, the public wasn’t. Fight commentators and many spectators thought the close decision should’ve gone to Norton.

 Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton III September 28, 1976 720p 60FPS HD, Mario Sanchez

Carmen Basilio Vs Sugar Ray Robinson I (1957)

Sugar Ray Robinson came out of a three-year retirement to challenge for Basilio’s middleweight title. In a fight that went the distance, the classic match saw Basilio win a close split decision. Robinson would get even against Basilio later that year to win the middleweight title for the fifth time in his career.

 Sugar Ray Robinson vs Carmen Basilio I HD - 1957 Colorized!, Legends of Boxing in Color

Evander Holyfield Vs Mike Tyson I (1996)

Holyfield entered the ring as a five-to-one underdog against the feared WBA heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, and won on an 11th-round TKO. The fighters butted heads a couple of times in the middle rounds, an issue that would arise in the infamous 1997 rematch between the two.

 Mike Tyson (USA) vs Evander Holyfield (USA) | KNOCKOUT, BOXING fight, HD, That's why MMA!

Evander Holyfield Vs Mike Tyson (1997)

This bout gave fans some of the most memorable images in boxing history, as Evander Holyfield clutched his ear and leaped away from an angry Tyson. Tyson had indeed bitten off a chunk of Holyfield’s ear, angry at what he saw as Holyfield’s deliberate head butting. Holyfield retained his WBA heavyweight crown when Tyson was disqualified in the third round.

 Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield II 1997 HD 1080, Ayman A

Larry Holmes Vs Gerry Cooney (1982)

Holmes retained his WBC heavyweight crown with a 13th-round TKO of the hard-punching Gerry Cooney. The battle between White challenger Cooney and Black champion Holmes had no shortage of hype, but the two boxers became good friends after it was all over.

 Larry Holmes vs Gerry Cooney - Highlights (The PRIDE & The GLORY), Jeff Jackson

Mike Tyson Vs Michael Spinks (1988)

The battle between undefeated heavyweights didn’t last long. Champion Mike Tyson knocked out Spinks in a mere 91 seconds to retain his crown. It was by far the richest fight in boxing history to that point, with Tyson making $22 million and Spinks $13 million. As the 80s drew to a close, Tyson seemed invincible.

 Mike Tyson vs Michael Spinks June 27, 1988 720p 50FPS HD, Mario Sanchez

Buster Douglas Vs Mike Tyson (1990)

James “Buster” Douglas entered the ring against Mike Tyson as a 42-to-1 underdog against defending champ Mike Tyson. What happened next still stands as one of the most shocking upsets in the history of sports as Douglas proceeded to a 10-round victory in which he dominated long stretches of the fight, winning on a 10th-round knockout.

 Buster Douglas shocks the world with 10th-round KO of Mike Tyson | ESPN Archives, ESPN

Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Roberto Duran II (1980)

Sugar Ray Leonard redeemed his earlier loss to Duran by putting on a boxing show, including his famous bolo punch! The menacing Duran had never been mocked like that in the ring before. Shortly before the end of the eighth round, Duran did the unthinkable and quit, telling the referee, “No mas!” The incident remains one of boxing’s most shocking finishes.

 1980 Boxing Leonard Duran II 11 25 1980, Virgil Moody

Bernard Hopkins Vs Felix Trinidad (2001)

Anticipation is always high when two champions clash and this fight between WBC and IBF middleweight champ Hopkins and WBA champ Trinidad was no exception. Though Trinidad showed flashes of greatness in the middle rounds, Hopkins wore his opponent down, finally scoring a 12th-round TKO.

 Bernard Hopkins vs Felix Trinidad September 29, 2001 HD 60FPS, Mario Sanchez

Evander Holyfield Vs Riddick Bowe II (1993)

This match for the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles saw one of the weirdest moments in boxing history. A skydiver parachuted into the ring during the seventh round, causing a delay of several minutes. Just when you think you’ve seen everything! The parachutist was clobbered senseless by Riddick Bowe’s security team before being dragged off. When action resumed, Holyfield took a majority decision over the heavily favored Bowe for the title.

 Riddick Bowe vs Evander Holyfield II November 6, 1993 720p 60FPS HD HBO Replay, Mario Sanchez

The Biggest, Strangest, And Most Memorable

While it looks like MMA has taken over as the world’s most popular combat sport, few sports have a history as colorful or unpredictable as boxing. The matches we’ve talked about here represent only a sample of its most courageous—and outrageous—moments!

 Len Trievnor, Getty Images

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