The Greatest Rematches in Boxing History
Rematches have been an integral part of boxing and choosing the best of them can be quite a challenge. However, some rematches have stood out more than others and left everyone with mixed reactions and opinions of their own based on who they were supporting. Some have even gone past a second fight into the third in a bid to settle debates once and for all but boxing debates never get settled.
To throw a spanner in the works, this article discusses a few rematches that will forever be remembered by the boxing fraternity. Remember you can place your boxing bets at ggbet betting. Visit site and sign up to enjoy the most competitive boxing odds anywhere.
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier
The rivalry between these two surpassed anything even the best Hollywood scriptwriters could come up with. Their first meeting dubbed the fight of the century was in 1971 and both of them were still undefeated with Ali returning to the ring after his three-year absence. Joe got the better of him in this fight knocking him down in the final round to emerge the winner in a unanimous decision.
The two had a rematch later in 1974 which Ali won but it is their third fight that will always be talked about in boxing history. Never had there been more punches thrown in a boxing match than were thrown in that fight. Frazier bore the brunt of a determined Ali and had to finish the last round with both his eyes swollen shut after his trainer refused to let him go out of the fight.
Micky Ward vs. Arturo Gatti
These two fought three fights where no world title was on the line but bragging rights and a place in history books. Their first fight in 2002 had all the makings of a great fight and it was hard to predict who would carry the day.
In round 9, Ward knocked down Gatti and this proved to be a turning point in the fight which he went on to win by majority decision. The two, however, needed to spend some time in a trauma center to nurse injuries from the fight.
The rematch came six months later which Gatti won. Gatti had knocked down Ward in the second round but Ward managed to finish the fight. The rubber match was in June 2003 and was to be Ward’s last match. Ward managed to knock Gatti down, but despite having fractured his hand in the fourth round Gatti still managed to survive and win the fight by unanimous decision.
Erik Morales vs. Marco Antonio Barrera
These two Mexicans treated the world to a great trilogy all happening at the height of their powers. They were Mexico’s most beloved fighters with their first fight happening in February 2000 which Morales went ahead to win by split decision.
A rematch was organized in June 2002 and these two ring warriors took the battle to each other. Barrera knocked down his fellow countryman in the final round and appeared set for victory but Morales was awarded the win by split decision. Everybody seemed to disagree with the verdict.
The rubber match took place in November 2004 in Las Vegas. Morales was the reigning WBC Super Featherweight while Barrera was moving up in weight. The fight lived up to its expectations with Berrera getting the better of Morales to win the fight by majority decision and taking over as the new champion.
Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Carmen Basilio
Their first fight was in September 1957 and despite Robinson putting up a good fight he lost to Basilio, a renowned onion farmer, by split decision. A rematch was organized and in March 1958 the two were back in the ring with the former champion Robinson finding himself in the unfamiliar territory of being an underdog.
Robinson knew this was the fight of his life and from the early exchanges, spectators sensed they had a great fight in their hands. By round 6, Basilio’s eye was completely shut as Robinson continued with the pounding.
Basilio didn’t however go down without a fight and did all that he could including trying to slow Robinson down in the final rounds but Robinson, who had to be carried back to the dressing room earned a split-decision win.
Floyd Patterson vs. Ingemar Johansson
This boxing heavyweight rivalry will forever be remembered in boxing history. These two treated the boxing world to a brutal and bloody trilogy like never before seen. Their first meeting was in 1959 where Johansson got the better of Patterson, sending him sprawling on the canvas in round 3 after landing on him a devastating right punch. The win made him the world heavyweight champion.
A rematch took place almost a year later and Patterson became the first person ever to reclaim a heavyweight championship. This is after successfully landing a ferocious left hook on Johnasson in round 5 knocking him out.
The rubber match in March 1961 was something else. In round 1, Johansson dropped Patterson twice with his hammer punch but somehow Patterson survived and himself landed a successful punch that knocked down Johansson still in round 1. The fight then became sluggish but Patterson managed to break down Johansson in round 6 landing deadly punches and eventually knocking him out to retain the title.
Evander Holyfield vs. Riddick Bowe
The first fight between these two took place in November 1992 and was touted as the heavyweight bout of the decade. Every round was bitterly contested but Bowe was doing well on the cards landing all the right punches. Knowing he was behind on the cards, in round 12 Holyfield tried to salvage the situation by becoming excessively aggressive to push for a knockout. Bowe, however, kept the nerves and withstood the round to emerge winner by unanimous decision.
The second fight is remembered for the mid-fight disturbance by an attention-seeking fan who parachuted into the ring, stopping the fight midway and causing a lengthy delay. The fight was close but Holyfield eventually emerged the winner by majority decision. He reclaimed his heavyweight championship from Bowe who had taken it from him entering the history books as the third man to achieve the feat after Floyd Patterson and Muhammad Ali.
