52 Comments
Mar 29, 2021Liked by Dan Rafael

The Pavlik vs. Abraham one still pisses me off. And I don’t think Spence vs. Crawford is going to happen. That’s a shame.

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You can blame the stupid PBC side for that not happening. Common sense would be to make the Crawford vs Spence a 50/50 for the first fight and 60/40 for the rematch problem is solved. It is a shame that certain fights do not ever get made because of a few dollars.

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Yep

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Chandler vs. Pintor c. 1982; Sanchez vs. Pedroza c. 1982; Jones vs. Michelzewski c. 2003; Mayweather vs. Margarito c. 2008.

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After knowing Margarito had been cheating years, the 2 bouts vs Kermit Cintron pretty much shows he was cheating a long time, once his gloves were devoid of plaster he suddenly lost his power.

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Like it. + Calzaghe vs Froch for us Brits.

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Froch really made his name after Calzaghe retired. He was unlucky but then so was Calzaghe as he hit his prime in the years after Watson, Benn, Eubanks and Collins had been at their best and they were lucky in that the US Middleweight division was stacked back then as well.

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I can give you the whole middle weight division in the 90’s. You had a legitímate top ten and hardly anybody fought each other. Bernard Hopkins didn’t fight James toney, they didn’t fight Nigel Benn or Chris Eubank or Steve Collins. Mike Mcallum. Julian Jackson. They really deprived the fans of some great fights. Side stepping each other. Shameful.

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You can blame the promoters for that one.

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Ike Ibeabuchi vs Wlad, Lennox, or Holyfield would have been interesting matchup.

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Could you imagine a prime Duran, Hearns, Leonard, Mosely, and Hoya fighting the Welters of today. Ha

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Panama Lewis and Pryor, sad.

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I had the honor to sit down and talk to Aaron Pryor for about 15 minutes once. He mentioned the one fight that got away was Sugar Ray Leonard. He said he tried to make it happen, but for whatever reason, it wasn't meant to be.

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For sheer violence how about Hatton v Gatti.

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Connor Mcgregor vs Paulie Malignaggi

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I rather watch two fat drunk girls fight over a skinny dude at the bar.

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Lewis/Bowe still irritates me to this day. God I wanted to see that fight soooo bad

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I blame Wilder for the Superfight between him and Joshua never happening. Fury and Ruiz both exposed the weaknesses in both fighters which Joshua seems to have corrected. Wilder still seems to have scars that will never heal. Usually when a man gets thrashed in that fashion he can overcome adversity. I hope Wilder will learn from his mistakes.

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There was a Light Heavyweight tournament that was rumored, but never materialized, in the late 80's/early 90's to unify that division. The tournament would have involved: Charles Williams, Michael Moorer, Virgil Hill, and Dennis Andries/Jeff Harding. Any combination of Williams, Moorer, and Hill would have been very interesting. I always thought that Williams would have beaten Moorer, who was the Blue chip prospect who had just picked up the WBO belt.

Others: Bowe-Lewis

Bowe-Mercer (Not much doubt about Bowe winning, but a fun grudge match nonetheless)

Vince Phillips-Julio Cesar Chavez

Buddy McGirt-Chavez

Jermall Charlo-Caleb Plant

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Would have loved to see GGG versus Andre Ward like 6-7 years ago: Ward at 30 and GGG at 32, maybe meeting at a 165-lb catchweight or something...

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When Canelo had the chance to fight GGG, GGG was 32. Canelo gave up his title too not fight GGG still in n his prime. That is not putting your life on the line. In all reality GGG beat Canelo twice. And past his prime at 34.and 36. And when I pay to watch the sport, I may call it like I see it. Canelo last several fights have been against poor competition. And so is his next fight. No risk at all.

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Bowe vs Lewis is the biggest in recent years and it was clear who was ducking who. I don't blame Bowe, i blame his greedy manager Rock Newman who feared the loss of his money making

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Bowe was the biggest underachieving heavyweight champion since Leon Spinks or Buster Douglas. Sure both guys made the upsets of the year, but then they did not capitalize on their opportunity. Riddick Bowe with Eddie Futch could have beaten Lennox Lewis but we will never know because Lennox was getting better. Lennox Lewis got KO'D by Oliver McCall and Hashim Rahman. Both times he avenged his losses. I think Bowe vs. Lewis would have made an awesome trilogy. It is sad seeing Riddick Bowe all punch drunk now. The last 2 fights Andrew Golota did a real number on him. Lennox Lewis was always pure class and a gentleman.

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Bowe cut alot of weight before 2nd Golota fight due to how much crap he had gotten over his weight. If i remember right it was the ONLY time he came in at 235 since 1st Holy fight. His body looked like crap though, and imm after in interview you could tell the difference in his speech. Could have been the best of that class if his dedication matched his skills, but that is part of being great too.

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Was there ever the opportunity of Pacquiao fighting Edwin Valero?

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Pacquiao was fighting as a welterweight whilst Valero had moved up to lightweight to make more money but he was a pretty small 135lb'er.

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