I was in a theather watching the fight on close circuit back in the day.
I was in the 20th row when the fight started. When it ended I was in the aisle by row 3.
I had no idea how I had gotten there. The place was going wild
Was just out of high school hanging at my girlfriends house...her father takes me aside and ask if i want to watch the fight...i said sure...he says ill come downstairs and say its time to leave...you walk out the door and come back 1p minutes later...i do.as.he said and watched the fight with him and his buddy...never told the girlcriend
Was just out of high school hanging at my girlfriends house...her father takes me aside and ask if i want to watch the fight...i said sure...he says ill come downstairs and say its time to leave...you walk out the door and come back 1p minutes later...i do.as.he said and watched the fight with him and his buddy...never told the girlcriend
Hahahaha, that's awesome. You were in man, the dad liked you. ;)
Off the charts close in. And also a tough guy. Amazing .
Hearns was more the talented and tall bully type. He would overwhelm people. But not marvelous Marvin hagler .
Leonard I have met. Nice guy. But, back when: Hagler was the man.
Leonard was a master of head games and a ring general. Ran though ...and hit lightly and move. Speed. Hit, dance, move run.
That annoyed Hagler so much ...he fell into the trap.
I have re-watched that Hagler-Leonard fight a couple of times recently and I still maintain my original opinion. Hagler won that fight. Leonard did nothing but showboat and run for 2/3 of the fight. His running limited what Hagler could do, but he was the only one scoring points in the second half of the fight.
Hagler-Hearns - the greatest 3 rounds in boxing history Â
I -loved- Hagler back then. Tough. Really fought it out. Blue collar attitude. But a very highly skilled boxer. I mean most boxers today could learn from that guy. And that fight bummed me out.
Then, maaaany years later I met Sugar Ray....such a nice easy going dude. So. People change and it's a pleasure to see that.
But for my money, the Chavez v Meldrick Taylor fight in 1990 was incredible. Best fight I’ve ever seen for living up the the hype, skill, and drama...
Agreed. I'm still haunted, rivited and amazed by that fight. Taylor was never the same. Friggin Philly fighter.... he just had to go toe to toe that last round...
Thrilla in Manilla
Hagler Hearns
Rumble in the Jungle
Chavez vs Taylor
Pryor vs Arguello
Some early Duran fights and some amazing late year fights considering his age and training habits
Ali vs Frazier I
Lyle vs Shavers
Note: I saw Duran in club fights as a teenager while stationed in Panama so my view is tilted.
At his peak years no one would fight Hagler...a guy who could fight left or right handed and was close to a complete fighter. Defense, knockout power, jab, hook, combinations, technically sound, endurance, great inside fighter, tougher than nails, despite his defense would absorb punishment to give it, decent guy outside the ring. As close to the complete package as I ever saw. There are other great boxers and technicians ( Hopkins) but none who combined the skill and the aggressive warrior mentality.
I think Duran was pound for pound the best fighter I ever saw. Most Â
complete, great defender who could make you miss with a great chin, could box, packed dynamite in both hands, cut off the ring. Had short power, didn't need to wind up. Though he is rightly mentioned in that great '80s era, he was an old man by then compared to the others. He had 71 fights by the 1st Leonard fight in 1979 and moved up in weight class.
Lots of great fights listed by all of you. Makes me sad to think what a wasteland boxing has become.
I first saw Roberto Duran during the rainy season at the outdoor arena at the base of the hills of enormous and horrible collection of mud streets, dog packs, glue sniffing gangs and tin roof lean tos that form one of the Western Hemispheres worse slums. ( look up images)
it was an incredibly hot Saturday night and the rain coming in from the Pacific had let up.
The wooden bleachers were packed from every nation in Central and Latin America as fighters from each nation squared off against each other...near riots and incredible rushes of gamblers moved in waves as the fights ebbed and flowed.
Panamanian fighters lost every fight. But Panamanian flags and clumps of fans seemed calm.
the skies got more ominous, the rain came down hard now and in the distance lightening came in from the sea.
Way up on the highest hill garbage can and tin started pounding and torches accompanied a mob down the hill.
the arena erupted "El Mano", " El Mano" but it was not for the Mexican fighter...the mob surged down with the champion from their slum to meet the arena crowd waving Panamanian flags.
Slim black hair and black eyes and the mouth in the worlds most memorable sneer. Gloves with holes in them. Old sneakers not boxing shoes. Merciless. Relentless. Filled with rage.
El Mano de Piedra. Hands of Stone. Roberto Duran.
Later when he first reached the major arenas and tv coverage the same rage from where he came from was in the ring more palpably then i saw it from any other fighter. The guy who fought in a rage was gone by the time most Americans saw him fight Leonard ( as one example)
Bill2, I'll bookend your story. I was at the 1989 Duran-Iran Barkley Â
fight Atlantic City when Duran won the middleweight title. He floored Barkely with a classic combination late in the fight after slipping a bomb. It was so perfect it seemed like slow motion. And he was an old man by then.
He had some crazy in him that was his fuel. But he also had science and footwork and skills that did not desert him for a long time. And after the skills ebbed he still drew on the madness.
His first official fight was at 16. He fought until he was 50. He fought for 5 decades.
He had some crazy in him that was his fuel. But he also had science and footwork and skills that did not desert him for a long time. And after the skills ebbed he still drew on the madness.
His first official fight was at 16. He fought until he was 50. He fought for 5 decades.
Yep. He was amazing. And he had Hagler beat after 12 rounds for the title but ran out of gas in the last 3 rounds. A year later they made the ridiculous change to 12 round title fights.
Can't believe nobody mentioned Corrales v Castillo Â
Rounds of boxing don't get better than this 10th round and Chico's corner man is just hilarious. The turns and twists all in less than three minutes are just remarkable. Corrales v Castillo Round 10 - ( New Window )
This fight and the first Pryor vs Arguello fight were possibly the greatest fights I ever saw outside Ali/Frazier 1, that has no competition and the second best was Ali/Frazier 3.
the Thrilla in Manila was actually on ESPN 2 during the Super Bowl Â
This fight and the first Pryor vs Arguello fight were possibly the greatest fights I ever saw outside Ali/Frazier 1, that has no competition and the second best was Ali/Frazier 3.
Pryor only survived that fight with Arguello because he was doped up.
Thrilla in Manilla
Hagler Hearns
Rumble in the Jungle
Chavez vs Taylor
Pryor vs Arguello
Some early Duran fights and some amazing late year fights considering his age and training habits
Ali vs Frazier I
Lyle vs Shavers
Note: I saw Duran in club fights as a teenager while stationed in Panama so my view is tilted.
At his peak years no one would fight Hagler...a guy who could fight left or right handed and was close to a complete fighter. Defense, knockout power, jab, hook, combinations, technically sound, endurance, great inside fighter, tougher than nails, despite his defense would absorb punishment to give it, decent guy outside the ring. As close to the complete package as I ever saw. There are other great boxers and technicians ( Hopkins) but none who combined the skill and the aggressive warrior mentality.
Bill2 what was it like watching Duran as a kid fight live in Panama ? That must have been something to see. I was always a big Duran fan.
My favorite era in boxing and just about any sport Â
My dad taught my brother & I how to score boxing during those fights. He'd give us each a clipboard with blank paper, have us draw out a grids for the rounds using a ruler to make our scorecards.
Didn't realize until I was a little older that the purpose of that exercise was to help keep track of where his money stood with my Little League coach(his bookmaker).
I was in the 20th row when the fight started. When it ended I was in the aisle by row 3.
I had no idea how I had gotten there. The place was going wild
I always liked the Ward Vs. Gatti round/fight the best but this was very good too!
Cut across the stage and sat in a seat. Best fight ever. Hagler was the frigging best.
Flash to now:
That silly mma guy, next time you try to box, hire hagler as your trainer. Your going to learn a lot.
Cut across the stage and sat in a seat. Best fight ever. Hagler was the frigging best.
Flash to now:
That silly mma guy, next time you try to box, hire hagler as your trainer. Your going to learn a lot.
I can't believe they were able to dupe millions of people into buying that shit.
What a farce.
Hearns was more the talented and tall bully type. He would overwhelm people. But not marvelous Marvin hagler .
Leonard I have met. Nice guy. But, back when: Hagler was the man.
Leonard was a master of head games and a ring general. Ran though ...and hit lightly and move. Speed. Hit, dance, move run.
That annoyed Hagler so much ...he fell into the trap.
Pryor - Arguello was right up there too
That mcnoodle guy. Hire hagler as trainer and itl be a real fight.
True. Leonard was highly. Highly talented and fast. But his head games were insane.
But absolutely, Hagler v Hearns and Leonard v Hearns all outstanding fights.
Hahahaha, that's awesome. You were in man, the dad liked you. ;)
That mcnoodle guy. Hire hagler as trainer and itl be a real fight.
Maybe. I don't think you learn how to box during ONE training camp.
Takes years to get on the same level as the pros.
Mayweather just fucked with McGregor, let him tire himself out, and then walked him down.
What a f#$king joke. Anyone who bought that fight deserved to get ripped off like that.
Sounds like they might do it again too. (Fools will buy it again.)
Hearns was more the talented and tall bully type. He would overwhelm people. But not marvelous Marvin hagler .
Leonard I have met. Nice guy. But, back when: Hagler was the man.
Leonard was a master of head games and a ring general. Ran though ...and hit lightly and move. Speed. Hit, dance, move run.
That annoyed Hagler so much ...he fell into the trap.
Mayweather wasn't even trying in the early rounds (the ones McGregor won).
He was never in any danger and was about to put a whooping on McGregor b4 the ref stepped in to save him.
Mayweather confirmed the game plan was to let McGregor tire himself out.
Like Ali did to Foreman only much easier.
Then, maaaany years later I met Sugar Ray....such a nice easy going dude. So. People change and it's a pleasure to see that.
But for my money, the Chavez v Meldrick Taylor fight in 1990 was incredible. Best fight I’ve ever seen for living up the the hype, skill, and drama...
But for my money, the Chavez v Meldrick Taylor fight in 1990 was incredible. Best fight I’ve ever seen for living up the the hype, skill, and drama...
Agreed. I'm still haunted, rivited and amazed by that fight. Taylor was never the same. Friggin Philly fighter.... he just had to go toe to toe that last round...
Hagler Hearns
Rumble in the Jungle
Chavez vs Taylor
Pryor vs Arguello
Some early Duran fights and some amazing late year fights considering his age and training habits
Ali vs Frazier I
Lyle vs Shavers
Note: I saw Duran in club fights as a teenager while stationed in Panama so my view is tilted.
At his peak years no one would fight Hagler...a guy who could fight left or right handed and was close to a complete fighter. Defense, knockout power, jab, hook, combinations, technically sound, endurance, great inside fighter, tougher than nails, despite his defense would absorb punishment to give it, decent guy outside the ring. As close to the complete package as I ever saw. There are other great boxers and technicians ( Hopkins) but none who combined the skill and the aggressive warrior mentality.
Lots of great fights listed by all of you. Makes me sad to think what a wasteland boxing has become.
it was an incredibly hot Saturday night and the rain coming in from the Pacific had let up.
The wooden bleachers were packed from every nation in Central and Latin America as fighters from each nation squared off against each other...near riots and incredible rushes of gamblers moved in waves as the fights ebbed and flowed.
Panamanian fighters lost every fight. But Panamanian flags and clumps of fans seemed calm.
the skies got more ominous, the rain came down hard now and in the distance lightening came in from the sea.
Way up on the highest hill garbage can and tin started pounding and torches accompanied a mob down the hill.
the arena erupted "El Mano", " El Mano" but it was not for the Mexican fighter...the mob surged down with the champion from their slum to meet the arena crowd waving Panamanian flags.
Slim black hair and black eyes and the mouth in the worlds most memorable sneer. Gloves with holes in them. Old sneakers not boxing shoes. Merciless. Relentless. Filled with rage.
El Mano de Piedra. Hands of Stone. Roberto Duran.
Later when he first reached the major arenas and tv coverage the same rage from where he came from was in the ring more palpably then i saw it from any other fighter. The guy who fought in a rage was gone by the time most Americans saw him fight Leonard ( as one example)
He had some crazy in him that was his fuel. But he also had science and footwork and skills that did not desert him for a long time. And after the skills ebbed he still drew on the madness.
His first official fight was at 16. He fought until he was 50. He fought for 5 decades.
He had some crazy in him that was his fuel. But he also had science and footwork and skills that did not desert him for a long time. And after the skills ebbed he still drew on the madness.
His first official fight was at 16. He fought until he was 50. He fought for 5 decades.
Yep. He was amazing. And he had Hagler beat after 12 rounds for the title but ran out of gas in the last 3 rounds. A year later they made the ridiculous change to 12 round title fights.
Corrales v Castillo Round 10 - ( New Window )
Pryor only survived that fight with Arguello because he was doped up.
Hagler Hearns
Rumble in the Jungle
Chavez vs Taylor
Pryor vs Arguello
Some early Duran fights and some amazing late year fights considering his age and training habits
Ali vs Frazier I
Lyle vs Shavers
Note: I saw Duran in club fights as a teenager while stationed in Panama so my view is tilted.
At his peak years no one would fight Hagler...a guy who could fight left or right handed and was close to a complete fighter. Defense, knockout power, jab, hook, combinations, technically sound, endurance, great inside fighter, tougher than nails, despite his defense would absorb punishment to give it, decent guy outside the ring. As close to the complete package as I ever saw. There are other great boxers and technicians ( Hopkins) but none who combined the skill and the aggressive warrior mentality.
My dad taught my brother & I how to score boxing during those fights. He'd give us each a clipboard with blank paper, have us draw out a grids for the rounds using a ruler to make our scorecards.
Didn't realize until I was a little older that the purpose of that exercise was to help keep track of where his money stood with my Little League coach(his bookmaker).