Top 10 Super Fights in History

Top 10 Super Fights in History

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For combat sports, these are the fights that influenced pop culture. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Super Fights in History. For this list, we’re focusing on fights between established athletes that delivered from the moment they were announced to the final decision.

2002 If you’ve seen “The Fighter,” you know that Micky Ward has tons of heart. But what the film doesn’t show you is the May 2002 match against Arturo Gatti. This was indeed a “super fight,” if only because the boxing world expected one of the most entertaining bouts of the year. For the first six rounds, they don’t mess around, but the fight becomes something much more profound by the legendary ninth round – which is arguably the best three minutes of boxing history, and certainly of the early 21st Century. Each boxer showcases his extraordinary skill, along with something that can’t be taught: heart inside the ring.

#9: Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns

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1981 Coming less than a year after his infamous “No Más” bout with Roberto Durán, Sugar Ray Leonard threw down for another iconic fight. For this unforgettable Las Vegas showdown, both fighters enter the ring with separate welterweight belts. But it was only Thomas Hearns that had never been beaten at 32-0, and with 30 knockouts. This bout was scheduled for 15 rounds, and by the sixth and seventh, it seems like Sugar Ray has the upper hand. But the WBA champ, Hearns, comes back with a fury, leading to an explosive conclusion and a unification of the welterweight championships.

2015 At UFC 193, there was a clear favorite, and also a major underdog. Ronda Rousey was 12-0 and famous for her first-round knockouts. But Holly Holm was known for her extraordinary boxing skills, and it doesn’t take long for her to pepper the champ with jabs. In Round 2, Holm rocked the entire UFC by picking apart the sport’s biggest superstar and finishing the job with a vicious kick to the neck. This bout wasn’t necessarily billed as a “super fight” initially, but the shocking result essentially marked the beginning of the end for Ronda Rousey. Furthermore, it brought even more exposure to the massively growing UFC.

1990 Promoted as “Thunder Meets Lightning,” this bout features a Mexican icon and an American star-in-the-making. Both fighters were undefeated, but the 27-year old Julio Cesar Chavez had the longest undefeated streak in about 80 years at 68-0, with 55 knockouts. Despite the odds, Taylor steamrolls Chavez for the majority of the fight, but doesn’t seal the deal. As a result, Chavez’s experience and stamina come into play, and he counters. By the 12th and final round, Taylor is on the verge of a major upset. Unbelievably, Chavez destroys the dream, or as some have argued, it was referee Richard Steele who alters the course of boxing history.

#6: B.J. Penn vs. Georges St-Pierre (2)

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2009 Almost three years after their first memorable matchup at UFC 58, these two fighters squared off as champions of separate divisions – a UFC first. Georges St. Pierre was trending upwards with his welterweight dominance, meanwhile B.J. Penn was hoping to redefine his career as the lightweight champ. The fight is notable for the massive hype, but it ultimately showcases GSP’s overwhelming ground-and-pound assault; a technique that would lead a Round 4 stoppage. Penn’s camp later claimed that GSP has been greased with jelly in between rounds, which prompted a comedic admission from UFC’s undisputed champ.

1985 Known as “The War,” this all-time classic features two pound-for-pound icons. Marvin Hagler enters the ring as the undisputed Middleweight champ, and he quickly establishes dominance over his younger opponent in Round 1, only to lose the momentum seconds later. With the fast pace and effective blows, this super fight becomes an instant classic early on. Unsurprisingly, it’s over by Round 3, as Hagler’s relentless assault is too much for Thomas “The Hit Man” Hearns.” In just eight minutes, both fighters produce what is widely considered one of the best round-for-round fights of all time.

2015 For years, this is the boxing matchup that purists and casuals fans alike wanted to see. By 2015, both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. were arguably past their prime, yet the so-called “Fight of the Century” was indeed that – an undeniable “super fight.” It was a massive pop culture event that seemed worth the cost. But whereas Pacquiao is a knockout artist, Mayweather is the traditional defensive fighter. Over 12 rounds, the “Pac-Man” struggles to connect, and he re-aggravated a shoulder injury in Round 4, leading to a unanimous decision for “Money Mayweather” to complement his big check.

2017 Known as “The Money Fight,” this bout initially seemed entirely one-sided, even after the results of UFC 205. Octagon champ Conor McGregor makes his boxing debut, while boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. hoped to cap off his career with a record-breaking 50-0 mark. But while fans and analysts expected big hype, which was absolutely delivered, what they didn’t expect was a dramatic, 10-round fight. From Round 1 onwards, McGregor shows his skill and incredible toughness, while Mayweather demonstrates why he’s one of the all-time best. In the end, both fighters made huge money and bolstered their reputations in their respective sports.

#2: Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield (I)

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1996 By the mid-90s, Tyson - “The Baddest Man on the Planet” - had reached the pinnacle of boxing, but had also served three years in prison. Meanwhile, former champion Evander Holyfield hoped to regain his boxing mojo. For this super fight, legacies are on the line, along with boxing careers in general. Tyson was the overwhelming favorite and many expected a violent conclusion, yet Holyfield gives it his all over ten rounds, making the fight an instant classic. Then came Round 11, in which “The Real Deal” lives up to his nickname and re-ignites his already iconic career. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen 2010 Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz 2004 Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar 2008

1971 This is the super fight of all super fights. Not only did “The Fight of the Century” feature two legends in their prime, but also it connected the world like never before. This was the first time two undefeated boxers threw down for the heavyweight title. At 31-0, Muhammad Ali was arguably the most famous athlete in the world, but “Smokin’” Joe Frazier was the one man that could silence his trash talk. And he did. 15 brutal rounds later, Frazier received the unanimous decision. Ali won the rematch, however, and famously competed in another classic against George Foreman – “The Rumble in the Jungle.”