Remember when boxing had Super fights?

[TBooze]

It is getting really sad, that the last time that there was a proper super fight in boxing was in 2001, when Lewis blasted away at the remains of the once mighty Iron Mike...

The last classic super fight must of been in 1992 (Holyfield/BoweI).

By definition super fights do not come around every year, but for boxing to go six years without one, shows in part how weak the Heavyweights are, but just as disturbing the fact that, the slack has not been taken up by the lighter weights like they were in 80s and 50s.

Mayweather and Jones are/were jut as good potentially as a Hagler/Hearns/Leonard/Duran or Robinson, but have failed to catch the public's imagination.

Sure hardcore boxing fans may look foward to Hatton/Mayweather or Calzaghe/Kessler, but sadly no one in the worldwide mainstream media gives two hoots. That is in no small part down to the fact that both Jones and Mayweather lacked/choose not to have a media friendly personality, and both have bottled it when they had a chance to carry the sport....

[DanePugilist]

It's because before they moved up in divisions to fight better opposition - now they just do it to face the lesser of two evils - or whatever. Having said that, I still think you play down the significance of alot of fights - this year has been great thus far, despite some fights have been cancelled or postponed.

Still Kessler-Calzaghe is a superfight - and by it's display it will be recognised as such.

Cotto-Mosley and PBF-Hatton aren't half-bad either.

The real problem, as I see it is, that alot of "true" fans, downplay fighters of the now, and hail those from the yesteryears.

[brooklyn1550]

These upcoming fights are HUGE for people who love and follow boxing, but they are not Leonard-Hearns or Ali-Frazier. Still, I am very satisfied with the big fights later this year and the ones that already happened.

[TBooze]

Still Kessler-Calzaghe is a superfight

That is simply not true. Outside of hardcore fans, Continental Europe and Wales, no one cares about that fight.

The last super fight in 2001; Tyson was known by at least half the world, Lewis probably a quarter.

Put a picture of Calzaghe and Kessler together and show it to a non Brit or Dane casual fan, then they could only guess whom was whom, that was not the case with Tyson/Lewis...

[fightfanatic1]

there are still super fights. just because the casual fans aren't drooling over the fighters like they once did doesn't make the fight any less of a "superfight". Hell the Hatton/Mayweather fight has been talked about for years and it is finally coming to pass.

joe c and kessler could also fall into superfight, as well pavlik/taylor, cotto,mosley.

[DanePugilist]

These upcoming fights are HUGE for people who love and follow boxing, but they are not Leonard-Hearns or Ali-Frazier. Still, I am very satisfied with the big fights later this year and the ones that already happened.They aren't considered such, simply for the reason that boxers gained alot more respect back then. Not to mention a broader public acceptance, which does affect people views on the significance.

If in doubt, you just have to skim through the classical section on this site. In contrast, we see alot of disrespect toward fighters in this section.

[fightfanatic1]

all right i need a definition of "superfight"

apparently some think that "superfight" mean superpopular fight in the eyes of the mainstream media.

i take it to mean 2 incredibly talented and good fighters with resumes to match going against each other. is this wrong??

[DanePugilist]

That is simply not true. Outside of hardcore fans, Continental Europe and Wales, no one cares about that fight.I can't believe you just posted that as a boxing fan. Are you saying that it's only a superfight, if the broader public(most of whom have no or little knowledge of boxing), claiming it is such?

By skill and importance, JC-Kessler is as important as SRL-Hagler, SRL-Hearns, Hagler-Hearns, SRL-Duran, Duran-Hearns.


The last super fight in 2001; Tyson was known by at least half the world, Lewis probably a quarter.

Put a picture of Calzaghe and Kessler together and show it to a non Brit or Dane casual fan, then they could only guess whom was whom, that was not the case with Tyson/Lewis...

Ignorance does nothing for me... Does it to you?

[iceman]

Too me a superfight is two great champions fighting each other.Calzaghe/Kessler just about makes the grade.De la Hoya/PBF was a superfight as far as hype altough the actual fight sucked.Hatton/Mayweather is borderline.Taylor/Pavlik is not a superfight,Pavlik is not a champ and Taylor is not a great champ.

Pac/Barrera -superfight
Cotto/Mosley - borderline

[MagnificentMatt]

It's because before they moved up in divisions to fight better opposition - now they just do it to face the lesser of two evils - or whatever. Having said that, I still think you play down the significance of alot of fights - this year has been great thus far, despite some fights have been cancelled or postponed.

Still Kessler-Calzaghe is a superfight - and by it's display it will be recognised as such.

Cotto-Mosley and PBF-Hatton aren't half-bad either.

The real problem, as I see it is, that alot of "true" fans, downplay fighters of the now, and hail those from the yesteryears.

:thumbsup :amen

[TBooze]

all right i need a definition of "superfight"

apparently some think that "superfight" mean superpopular fight in the eyes of the mainstream media.

i take it to mean 2 incredibly talented and good fighters with resumes to match going against each other. is this wrong??

I think you have excellent match-ups and Superfights mixed up. Superfights are rare beasts: Since 1980 I would classify only the following as Super fights:

Holmes/Ali

Leonard/DuranII

Leonard/HearnsI

Holmes/Cooney

Hagler/Duran

Hagler/Hearns

Holmes/SpinksI

Hagler/Leonard

Tyson/Spinks

Bowe/HolyfieldI

de la Hoya/ChavezI

Holyfield/TysonII

Lewis/HolyfieldI

Lewis/HolyfieldII

Lewis/Tyson

[brooklyn1550]

They aren't considered such, simply for the reason that boxers gained alot more respect back then. Not to mention a broader public acceptance, which does affect people views on the significance.

If in doubt, you just have to skim through the classical section on this site. In contrast, we see alot of disrespect toward fighters in this section.

Spot on as usual

[box03]

This year has been good year for boxing and its only going to get better. The super fight that took place between Tyson/Lewis in june of 2002 was so big because it was long awaited, also Tyson hyping the fight helped a whole lot. There were so many variables in this fight that made it a must see fight for anyone, not just fight fans. While there seems to be a lack of interest in the Heavywieght division right now, most other divisions are doing very well. Its only a matter of time before the Heavywieght division gets back on its feet, its always gone in cycles.

[brooklyn1550]

When Joe wins against Kessler and puts a fight together with Taylor - that's a superfight.

Don't jump the gun

[fightfanatic1]

I think you have excellent match-ups and Superfights mixed up. Superfights are rare beasts: Since 1980 I would classify only the following as Super fights:

Holmes/Ali

Leonard/DuranII

Leonard/HearnsI

Holmes/Cooney

Hagler/Duran

Hagler/Hearns

Holmes/SpinksI

Hagler/Leonard

Tyson/Spinks

Bowe/HolyfieldI

de la Hoya/ChavezI

Holyfield/TysonII

Lewis/HolyfieldI

Lewis/HolyfieldII

Lewis/Tyson


how then are you defining "superfight" because looking back we could say that these men in my original post had good to great resumes and were in their prime when they fought and it was at that time that they fought.

holyfield and tyson?? tyson was no where near the fighter he was when he fought holy than before he went to prison. that was a superfight in name only. and although it was entertaining to watch, tyson was not the same tyson of old.

[TBooze]

Ignorance does nothing for me... Does it to you?

I do not think calling casual fans Ignorant is really going to help...

Boxers today lack personality and are not prepared to sell the sport otr do the work required to be a superstar.

It took Hagler 8 years and 50 fights to win THE Championship, even then it took him a further three years to get mainstream respect, but he was prepared to work at it. Mayweather and Jones had it a lot easier, they are more naturally talented than Hagler, and in theory have more charisma, but Jones blew it and Mayweather is on the verge of dropping the ball, he is not getting any younger.

[BITCH ASS]

I think Taylor vs Pavlik has a lot of potential to be a superfight.

[ChampionsForever]

DLH-PBF was a SUPERFIGHT, it was the highest grossing PPV boxing event ever, it dont get more super than that. The last real fight that captured all sports fans attention was 2002 Lewis-Tyson,had Tyson still had something left it could have really done alot for the sport and hes legacy for sure, I still have the paper of the day before that fight, TheSun, I kept it for when we beat Argentina 1-0 in the football (one of our best results in the World cup ever and the biggest sporting story of the year) and that fight still took up 6 pages of the sports pages.......now when you consider how big football is over here and how relatively small boxing is it puts it into perspective of how "super" that fight was.

[BITCH ASS]

Mayweather vs Cotto will be great too.

[TBooze]

going by that neither was Bowe/Holyfield because only hardcore fans and americans were interested.

Bowe was well known in Britain as were all the Heavyweight Champions up to and including Lewis.

In 1992 pro boxing was only just starting again in Eastern Europe, Continental Europe was a much smaller beast that it is now. JCC was on verge of leading the Latino drive to mainstream, so the markets that counted then (North America/South Africa/Australia and Britain) were hit for that fight.

[brooklyn1550]

I think Taylor vs Pavlik has a lot of potential to be a superfight.

It has potential to be a great fight, however, in terms of anticipation from casual fans and non-boxing fans as well as the promotion of it, it falls well short of a super fight.

[rendog67]

It is getting really sad, that the last time that there was a proper super fight in boxing was in 2001, when Lewis blasted away at the remains of the once mighty Iron Mike...

The last classic super fight must of been in 1992 (Holyfield/BoweI).

By definition super fights do not come around every year, but for boxing to go six years without one, shows in part how weak the Heavyweights are, but just as disturbing the fact that, the slack has not been taken up by the lighter weights like they were in 80s and 50s.

Mayweather and Jones are/were jut as good potentially as a Hagler/Hearns/Leonard/Duran or Robinson, but have failed to catch the public's imagination.

Sure hardcore boxing fans may look foward to Hatton/Mayweather or Calzaghe/Kessler, but sadly no one in the worldwide mainstream media gives two hoots. That is in no small part down to the fact that both Jones and Mayweather lacked/choose not to have a media friendly personality, and both have bottled it when they had a chance to carry the sport....


a super fight is something that catches the worlds attention so i agree with your point, but it is sad that unbeaten records and quality opposition are not all it takes anymore. Some of these fights may well be classed as superfights in the future they may be talked about for years to come.

[BITCH ASS]

It has potential to be a great fight, however, in terms of anticipation from casual fans and non-boxing fans as well as the promotion of it, it falls well short of a super fight.

I suppose you're right, but it's their loss.

I could care less about what the typical person or casual fan thinks about boxing.

[Guru_Too_You]

Barrera-Morales I, II and III
Barrera-JMM
Barrera-Pac II
Morales-Pac I, II and III
Vazquez-Marquez I, II and III
De La Hoya-Mayweather
Castillo-Corrales
Calzaghe-Kessler
Hopkins-Tarver
Hopkins-De La Hoya
Mosley-Cotto

All within the last few years and all superfights. The casual boxing fan is just not nearly as exposed to the boxers of today as they were when fights were still broadcasted regularly on cable. You have to take into account that there were advertisements for these bouts as well exposing the casual fan or even the non-fans to fighters. DLH-PBF had people who knew nothing about boxing talking at the watercooler about the fight.

Its all about the public perception of great bouts.

[TBooze]

DLH-PBF was a SUPERFIGHT, it was the highest grossing PPV boxing event ever, it dont get more super than that.

Holyfield/Douglas grossed silly numbers as well, but Evander was not well known enough to make it a super fight. de la Hoya may be mainstream in the USA, but he is not in Britain, people might know his name but would struggle to recognize him. Mayweather is even less known....

Because boxing is no longer a mainstream sport, promoters hit the markets that will sell, they do not care if no one outside of the Latino market has heard of a fighter, if they grossing Millions of dollars anyway.

[BITCH ASS]

Barrera-Morales I, II and III
Barrera-JMM
Barrera-Pac II
Morales-Pac I, II and III
Vazquez-Marquez I, II and III
De La Hoya-Mayweather
Castillo-Corrales
Calzaghe-Kessler
Hopkins-Tarver
Hopkins-De La Hoya
Mosley-Cotto

All within the last few years and all superfights. The casual boxing fan is just not nearly as exposed to the boxers of today as they were when fights were still broadcasted regularly on cable. You have to take into account that there were advertisements for these bouts as well exposing the casual fan or even the non-fans to fighters. DLH-PBF had people who knew nothing about boxing talking at the watercooler about the fight.

Its all about the public perception of great bouts.

You son of a bitch!

Remember when we used to argue on a routine basis?

I just lost my passion, but don't worry, I'll be back.

[brooklyn1550]

I could care less about what the typical person or casual fan thinks about boxing.

:good As far as I'm concerned, they are missing out

[DanePugilist]

I do not think calling casual fans Ignorant is really going to help...

Boxers today lack personality and are not prepared to sell the sport otr do the work required to be a superstar.

It took Hagler 8 years and 50 fights to win THE Championship, even then it took him a further three years to get mainstream respect, but he was prepared to work at it. Mayweather and Jones had it a lot easier, they are more naturally talented than Hagler, and in theory have more charisma, but Jones blew it and Mayweather is on the verge of dropping the ball, he is not getting any younger.Well, if they don't know titlists, even one of which is a 10 year champion - then they are ignorant. I don't depend on them to tell me if I think it's a superfight. Why do you?

All you are saying in the rest simply explains that broader acceptance equals superfights. To me thats the very core of what is wrong in boxing today. People spend too much time looking at recognisable names, rather than skill and craftmanship.

I do think you are beyond such things? This is boxing, not a circus...

[Ambition_Def]

This OP couldn't have come at a worse time.

The fights happening for the remainder of this year are huge, to say the least. What the shame is that the American public has been so misinformed about every one of them. Well, maybe except the Pavlik-Taylor fight.

[BITCH ASS]

:good As far as I'm concerned, they are missing out

I think it could be the beggining of a possible trilogy, unless of course Pavlik dominates the fight and then brutally, disgustingly knocks Taylor the fuck out.

[fightfanatic1]

i don't need the media or casual fans to tell me when the fight between two stars is a "superfight". Casual fans and the media know shit about boxing to be telling me when a fight is "superfight". So their involvement or lack thereof in these supposed superfights mean squat to me. A superfight is 2 great fighters going at it regardless of the afore mentioned clowns thoughts or knowledge of it.

marquez and vasquez would qualify as a superfight to me. as well as many others that took place this year and will take place this year.

[TBooze]

People spend too much time looking at recognisable names, rather than skill and craftmanship.

I do think you are beyond such things?

I do, boxers today are just as skillful in the ring as any other era, but lack the je ne sais quai to become superstars.

The problem with Calzaghe is that he came along 5 years too late, he could of had massive local battles with prime Eubank/Benn and Collins, they would of turned him into a star in Britain.

If Calzaghe beats Kessler, we may all know the significance, to a degree (Kessler is fairly untested) but the British papers will give it a so what? American papers will not even report it porperly. Trust me the Conference results (Footballs, division five in Britain) will get more press.

[brooklyn1550]

I think it could be the beggining of a possible trilogy, unless of course Pavlik dominates the fight and then brutally, disgustingly knocks Taylor the fuck out.

What's your pick for the fight?

[iceman]

Alot of the fights posters have listed as superfights are IMO 'classic fights'.It is easy to call them superfights after the fact if they indeed were great fights but few of them were billed as superfights before the event took place

[DanePugilist]

I do, boxers today are just as skillful in the ring as any other era, but lack the je ne sais quai to become superstars.

The problem with Calzaghe is that he came along 5 years too late, he could of had massive local battles with prime Eubank/Benn and Collins, they would of turned him into a star in Britain.

If Calzaghe beats Kessler, we may all know the significance, to a degree (Kessler is fairly untested) but the British papers will give it a so what? American papers will not even report it porperly. Trust me the Conference results (Footballs divsion five in Britain) will get more press.I simply think it all boils down to that people have far more input and things to chose from than they did before. It helps little that boxers have massive amount of charisma if no one or very little are watching.

I think what you are offering or suggesting could turn out very ugly. Promotions and media would hype up boxers with alot of charisma and good looks. Hand them title fights before deserved, and maybe even give them decisions; I am really not grasping at straws here, I believe. The focus should be boxing. If boxing sells in itself, then good, if not - well. I couldn't care less, really. Money often corrupts things.

In lieu with what you are saying concering football. Would you consider asking an american of the significance in Liverpool winning the champions league, and would you ask an eskimo of the significance of Michael Vicks life-time ban?

I am not saying what you say isn't true, coz it probably is, but it is ignorant to say that conference league holds more importance or interest in sport than Kessler-JC. Media likes to govern what is good television - your job as a fan, is to forge your own opinion.

[JAM Killer]

I think that Taylor/Pavlik is a super fight, and a great match up, because this fight has everything to be explosive and both guys are undefeated and hard hitters, and hungry, and both men know they are going to win.

[Irish Steel]

It's because before they moved up in divisions to fight better opposition - now they just do it to face the lesser of two evils - or whatever. Having said that, I still think you play down the significance of alot of fights - this year has been great thus far, despite some fights have been cancelled or postponed.

Still Kessler-Calzaghe is a superfight - and by it's display it will be recognised as such.

Cotto-Mosley and PBF-Hatton aren't half-bad either.

The real problem, as I see it is, that alot of "true" fans, downplay fighters of the now, and hail those from the yesteryears.

Great post.:good

[the_what]

Mayweather/Hatton and Cotto/Mosley are superfights. Same with Calzaghe/Kessler and Taylor/Pavlik. Although I dont really care about the other 2.

On that note, I thought fights like MAB/JMM, Vazquez/Marquez 1 & 2, Corrales/Castillo, Corrales/Freitas, Hatton/Tzyue were superfights as well.

[BITCH ASS]

What's your pick for the fight?

I'll let you know a few days out.

Right now, I would bet Pavlik by KO though.

[box03]

Super fights are boxing matches that contain boxers who are at the top of there division who are usually in there prime fighting to see who is the best. While I agree some of the fights you mentioned our good, I would have to say Kessler/Calzaghe is and Hatton/Mayweather are super fights that contain undefeated fighters at or near there peak fighting each other. Mosley is past his prime while cotta has not yet reached his potential yet, both Pavlik and Taylor our not at there peak yet in my opinion.

[bandeedo]

up untill the early 90s big fights felt more like superfights because it was not just a boxing match, it was an event. it was the place to be and be seen for pro athletes in general as well as hollywood stars. the whos who of popular culture attended these events and got treated to a show because you did not just see one big title match but 4 or 5. i miss those days.