Brady-Manning among sports’ great rivalries

Tom Brady has more championship rings. Peyton Manning has nearly all the passing records.

Fans will always debate which quarterback is better. But there’s no arguing it’s one of the greatest rivalries in sports history.

So it’s fitting a Super Bowl berth is at stake for Brady-Manning 17.

Brady and the New England Patriots are trying to repeat and earn their fifth NFL title. Manning and the Denver Broncos are aiming for the franchise’s first championship in 16 years and his second.

Brady won the first six meetings and he leads the series 11- 5. They’re tied 2-2 in the playoffs with Manning winning the last two, including the AFC Championship Game two years ago.

Some of the best rivalries from other sports:

ALI- FRAZIER

Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought three times, including two of the most famous matches ever. Frazier defended his heavyweight championship with a unanimous decision over Ali in 1971 at Madison Square Garden in the ‘ Fight of the Century.’ Ali won the rematch by decision in 1974. Then came ‘ The Thrilla in Manila’ in 1975. Ali won on a TKO after 14 rounds. Honourable mentions: Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Duran, Ray Robinson vs. Jake LaMotta.

Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer turned golf into a popular spectator sport on television. Nicklaus holds the record with 18 majors while Palmer captured seven in his career. They finished 1- 2 in majors four times. Honourable mention: Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson.

NICKLAUS- PALMER

GRETZKY- LEMIEUX

The Great One vs. The Magnificent One. Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux dominated the NHL for two decades with one of the two players winning the scoring title every year between 1980 and 1997 except for one season. They never faced each other in the playoffs, however. Honourable mention: Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin.

DIMAGGIO-WILLIAMS

Joltin’ Joe vs. The Splendid Splinter. Yankees- Red Sox had to make the baseball list. Ted Williams remains the last player to hit over .400, but his tremendous 1941 season was overshadowed by Joe DiMaggio’s 56- game hitting streak. Williams won two AL MVP awards and two triple crowns, but no World Series titles. DiMaggio was a threetime MVP who won nine World Series championships. Honourable mention: Willie Mays vs. Mickey Mantle.