Leonard vs. Hearns: The Rematch Thomas Hearns got a moral victory in his long-awaited rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard in 1989. But it wasn’t the victory he wanted. And one, what many felt he richly deserved. Years later, even Leonard admitted his great rival should have had his hand raised. Leonard was down twice but … Continue reading Leonard vs. Hearns: The Rematch →

A Boxing Memory: Tyson vs. Bruno In their first meeting, Frank Bruno had a moment. In truth, it wasn’t much more than that. But if he could have followed up that moment with something that a more naturally gifted and instinctive fighter than Bruno would surely have done, then boxing history would have had a … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Tyson vs. Bruno →

A Boxing Memory: Rocky Marciano vs. Joe Louis “I’m glad I won, but I feel sorry.” Tears, regret and sympathy for a fighter who was once his idol. A night when the torch didn’t need to be passed. It seems an unwritten rule in a sport that won’t let its former heroes pass through without at … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Rocky Marciano vs. Joe Louis →

A Boxing Memory: Ron Lyle By the time he turned 20, Ron Lyle was convicted of second-degree murder. A premature death certificate was issued courtesy of a dispute involving knives with the locals while serving his time. Despite losing a reported 35 pints of blood, and Lyle saying he died twice on the operating table, … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Ron Lyle →

A Boxing Memory: Berbick vs Tyson Angelo Dundee was in the corner. The losing corner. His fighter Trevor Berbick had just been annihilated by a young rampaging Mike Tyson. When asked how do you beat Tyson, Dundee replied, ''With a gun.'' Tyson at 20 had just become the youngest world heavyweight champion in history. A … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Berbick vs Tyson →

A Boxing Memory: Bobby Chacon The Hall of Famer Bobby Chacon fought hard. He lived hard. Because of both, his prime was cut short. His life also. Chacon was only 64 when he sadly passed away in 2016. The old warrior had long been suffering from dementia pugilistica, and a fall he suffered in a … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Bobby Chacon →

A Boxing Memory: The Thrilla in Manila “Ali and Frazier weren’t fighting for the heavyweight championship of the world. They were fighting for the heavyweight championship of each other.” Thomas Hauser In 1975, at the time of their third and final meeting, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier weren’t quite damaged beyond repair. That would come later. … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: The Thrilla in Manila →

A Boxing Memory: Julio Cesar Chavez Julio Cesar Chavez has fought many things in his life. One hundred and fifteen times, he fought as a professional. But the demons he fought during and after his career were perhaps his hardest-ever opponent. Drink and drugs, the downfall of many, very nearly claimed the life of Chavez. … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Julio Cesar Chavez →

A Boxing Memory: Eusebio Pedroza In 1985, the brilliant and long-reigning WBA featherweight champion Eusebio Pedroza was still a formidable fighter. The decline may have been setting in, but if Barry McGuigan thought he would give up that title without a fight, he would have been greatly mistaken. But McGuigan would have expected a tough … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Eusebio Pedroza →

A Boxing Memory: Arturo Gatti The way he died will perhaps always be in dispute. But the way he fought will never be disputed. Arturo Gatti was a two-weight world champion and was involved in some of the greatest fights in boxing history. The three fights with Micky Ward are a thing of legend. The … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Arturo Gatti →