THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
Three of these five bouts were part of a trilogy while the other two would have been well-suited to one,
Lennox Lewis vs Vitali Klitschko, Marco Antonio Barrera vs Erik Morales & more
5 FLOYD PATTERSON w ko 5 INGEMAR JOHANSSON
June 20, 1960; Polo Grounds, New York, NY
HEADING into this rematch, Floyd Patterson was not expected to do what James J Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons, James J Jeffries, Jack Dempsey, Max Schmeling, Joe Louis, Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott had failed to do: Regain the world heavyweight title. The first bout had been so overwhelmingly one-sided with Patterson being floored seven times in three rounds, logic could only dictate more of the same. But Floyd showed tremendous resolve. The Johansson right hand – that had bounced Patterson off the deck like a basketball the year before – landed in the second round but it had no effect. It was a pivotal moment. Patterson took control in the fifth, to score two knockdowns, the second as savage as any you’ll see.
DID YOU KNOW? The total revenue of just over $3m from gate receipts and closed circuit television made it the richest fight since the rematch between Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey in 1927.
WATCH OUT FOR: Rocky Marciano underselling Patterson’s wonderful looping hook that ripped Johansson from his senses. “That’s a good knockout,” Marciano says succinctly.
4 LENNOX LEWIS w rsf 6 VITALI KLITSCHKO
June 21, 2003; Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
IT now seems barmy that Vitali Klitschko was brought in as Lennox Lewis’ opponent just two weeks before. The Ukrainian’s reputation had been hurt after he quit with an injury against Chris Byrd three years before. Even so, educated observers were surprised that Klitschko – set to take on Cedric Boswell on the undercard – was chosen after Kirk Johnson was forced to withdraw. The fight was brutal. Lewis was hurt in the second before opening a cut on his rival in the third. By the sixth, Klitschko – still very much in the bout – looked like he’d fallen face first into a bucket-full of barbed wire. The referee’s decision to end the bout caused chaos.
DID YOU KNOW? Lewis once claimed that he could have Vitali Klitschko for breakfast and his brother, Wladimir, for lunch. But one Klitschko proved ample. Lewis never fought again. Vitali never lost again.
WATCH OUT FOR: A moment of madness in the fourth round. As both fighters tumble to the floor in a clinch, Klitschko – a former kickboxer – aims a kick at his opponent as they try to get up. The post-fight interviews are worth another look, too.
3 MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA w pts 12 ERIK MORALES
June 22, 2002; MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV
LIKE all three bouts these bitter Mexican rivals shared, the quality on display was aweinspiring. This bout – postponed from March 2002 when Barrera injured a rib – was not quite the thriller of their opening bout but it did share the controversial conclusion. While many felt Barrera deserved to take the decision that went Morales’ way first time around, observers favoured Morales in this rematch that was awarded to Barrera. Morales, who ended the bout with a severe swelling around his right eye, lost by scores of 115-113 (twice) and 116-112. The fight was riding on the last round and Barrera gained control over his one-eyed foe in the last three minutes behind his excellent jab and accompanying blows to head and body.
DID YOU KNOW? Though the WBC title was on the line, Barrera’s sole motivation was getting revenge over Morales. Though Barrera won the fight, he rejected the title.
WATCH OUT FOR: The moment in the seventh round that haunted Morales for a long time afterwards. He claimed that a right hand to the body took Barrera off his feet and not the slip that the referee ruled.
2 STEVE CRUZ w pts 15 BARRY MCGUIGAN
June 23, 1986; Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
A FIGHT that upon first viewing sent me running to my bedroom in tears. Mcguigan transcended the sport back in the mid-1980s and was a hero to millions. Then still only 25, Mcguigan was greeted in Las Vegas with the kind of fanfare that was rare for overseas fighters in America. The WBA featherweight champion was originally scheduled to take on Fernando Sosa until two detached retinas were discovered. In came Cruz, simply to make up the numbers. What followed – in the outdoor desert heat of 110 degrees – was both thrilling and gruelling in the extreme. Mcguigan started well but faded late as Cruz dropped Barry in the 10th and secured victory in the last, when he scored a further two knockdowns to edge the cards 143-142, 142141 and 143-139.
DID YOU KNOW? Steve Cruz supplemented his ring earnings by working as a plumber’s helper for $6.50 per hour.
WATCH OUT FOR: Harry Carpenter expertly guiding the viewers through the action and his belief, as the 15th round began, that the fight wasn’t close. At that point, it really seemed like Mcguigan was going to retain his title.
1 ROBERTO DURAN w pts 15 SUGAR RAY LEONARD
June 20, 1980; Olympic Stadium, Montreal
QUITE simply one of the best fights the sport has ever seen. But it was in danger before it began. Roberto Duran’s heart was the cause for concern. Three days before the bout the challenger to Leonard’s WBC welterweight title had to endure extensive testing after abnormalities – consistent with coronary artery disease – were discovered. It was eventually ruled that Duran’s heart condition was similar to what many athletes get because the heart muscle can grow thicker than average. The fight went on, much to the delight of the 43,317 in attendance. Duran controlled the tempo and won the fight after 15 ferocious rounds. But his heart would again be called into question when he quit in the rematch five months later.
DID YOU KNOW? As Duran made his way to the ring, Joe Frazier was asked at ringside if Roberto reminded him of anyone. “Yes,” he replied, “he reminds me of Charles Manson.” Another fact: Leonard’s wife passed out after the eighth round such was the stress.
WATCH OUT FOR: Watch every second. Duran’s skill is sublime but Leonard, despite being drawn into a slugfest, is just as impressive.