Top 10 Boxing Fights of All-Time

By Oliver Wiener June 10, 2024 09:05

Through the years, there have been a number of fights in which both men have pushed one another to the brink, resulting in a genuine titanic encounter that gamble addicted fans will never forget.

They are iconic upsets and violent rivalries that helped to define the most brutal but honest of sports.

Here, Fan Arch has identified the top 10 most historic and compelling fights in boxing history, serving you detailed information, analysis and the historical background of these battles to understand the importance these battles have had on the world of boxing.

1. Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II (June 28, 1997)

Location: MGM Grand

PPV buys: 1.99 million

Card acme: Holyfield wins by DQ.

The rematch between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, you know the one that resulted in Tyson getting DQ-ed for biting Holyfield's ear off, managed 1.99 million PPV buys.

Although soon to be overshadowed by the Tyson debacle, this fight is one of the most watched & talked about boxing events of all time.

2. Date: November 12, 2011The Fight: Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III

Location: MGM Grand

PPV buys: 1.4 million

Pacquiao was awarded the split decision.

Such as the pulsating third battle between Manny Pacquia and Juan Manuel Marquez which made for compelling viewing with 1.4 million PPV buys.

Pacquiao landed the most telling blows and went on to win by split decision to leave this as one of the most riveting and watched bouts in the history of boxing.

3. Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson (June 8, 2002)

Location: Pyramid Arena

PPV buys: 1.97 million

Winner: Lewis via round 8 KO

Meanwhile, the fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson still attracted 1.97 million PPV buys - proving that both fighters' star power had never diminished, even years after their retirements.

Lewis left the fight as the victor by way of an astonishing 8th round knockout, making the night one of the more money spinning trigger pullers in monolithic Leather print history.

4. George Foreman vs. Ron Lyle

It proved to be a Fight of the Year candidate by Ring in the epic battle between two of Division One's Most Valued Players.

This became one of the greatest boxing fights of all time due to Foreman's dominant display, after a 15 month layoff since his last fight against Muhammad Ali in "The Rumble in the Jungle."

5. Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman

It was one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, as Ali claimed victory in the seventh-round win over Foreman who was expected to dominate.

It was a dramatic and extraordinary fight making it one of the best boxing fights of all time.

6. Tommy Hearns-Marvelous Marvin Hagler

It was one of the best fights of the opening round of Haglers fighting career, and it was against a terrific opponent that the world would remember Hagler by.

With both of them giving non-stop action and aggressive show this match is considered to be an historical event in the history of boxing.

7. Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Meldrick Taylor I

After a battle spanning 12 full rounds, this fight to followed through to its full conclusion, but not without controversy as Chavez scored an unexpected last-minute triumph over Taylor just when almost everyone counted him out.

Is it the best fight in the illustrious history of the sport a red mark in chalk on a sidewalk overflowing with legendary fights, some visible, others heartlessly washed away by the tide of time, where only the most stubborn of memory can find them, fading and losing details until they're obsolete?

8. Erik Morales vs Marco Antonio Barrera I

Mexicans with the thin bodies that delivered a heavyweight type of performance in the ring: Very few boxing rounds in the fight were as unforgettable and high quality.

The perfect perfect fight and subsequent fights solidify it as a best boxing fights of the decade entry.

9. Buster Douglas vs. Mike Tyson

It would later go down as one of the greatest upsets in Mike Tyson's boxing career and sent shockwaves across the boxing world, shattering his aura of invincibility.

10. Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo

That fight, which ended up in the aforementioned knockdowns and more, finally was elevated into all-time status with this dramatic finish as Corrales scores another stunner, a single one punch KO ending things in sensational fashion.

Corrales' grit white knuckle heroics on the part of a never say die Corrales punched ticket for induction into this puncher's version of the boxing Hall of Fame.

These legendary boxing fights that have truly etched their names in the legacy of the sport, captivating audiences and altering the course of the boxing whole. These battles have been adopted as cultural events, and remain iconic spectacles that electrify and captivate boxing fans all around the world.

As we look back on the fights that defined an era, we are reminded that the beauty of boxing goes far beyond the actual sport itself and create memories that transcend boxing as a sport and become legendary moments of history that forever will hold top billing on the all-time list of greatest fights.

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