REMATCH AS defined by Merriam-Webster: A second match between the same two contestants or teams. Most real people with a heart would like to prove to themselves after a loss or a close hard fought victory. Most of the best fights in boxing history are rematches, Ali vs Fraizer, Gatti vs Ward, Marquez vs. Vasquez, Corrales vs. Castillo, Zale vs. Graziano and so on. So I was just thinking of some of the match ups I would like to see.
Marvin Haggler vs. Ray Leonard
Quite possibly the best middleweight in the eyes of many was robbed in the great match up. He landed the harder more effective blows he was using ring generalship and effective aggressiveness to force Ray backwards. Leonard tried to steal the rounds by flurrying and trying to look flashy, while Haggler pressed forward attacking. It was a great fight and I believe if it happened again Haggler would have worked hard to the KO or a unanimous decision.
Tommy Hearns vs. Ray Leonard
I wish the rematch would have come in their primes instead of 8 years later. If it was an immediate rematch or in a reasonable time they would have had a trilogy. In the fight that took place 8 years later Hearns knocked him down 2 times and clearly won but was robbed and got a draw instead. Who knows who would have one the second fight if it were to happen in their primes. I tend to believe Hearns would have trained harder and wouldn't have gassed and got caught late.
Roy Jones Jr. vs Bernard Hopkins
The first fight was for the vacant IBF middleweight title and it was and it was against a totally different Bernard Hopkins. I would have liked to see the rematch take place at light heavyweight. Jones always talked about money being the issue, which I don't really believe because he didn't give rematches unless he lost. Hopkins would have beat Roy then and he would have been the one to expose who he really was. Hopkins never ducked anyone and Roy, well all I have to say is Dariusz Michalczewski. When they fight in 2010 it will be too many years later but B-Hop will destroy Jones easy.
Roy Jones Jr. vs James Toney
Jones won the first one against James at super middleweight and the fight was billed the UNCIVIL WAR. They were both undefeated but James was untrained and overweight for that fight. It was rumored that he had to loose up to 20lbs the week of the fight and he was sick also. People now a days still have problems with his lead hook and Toney ducked them with ease early in that fight, Imagine a healthy Toney. He has great skills and an Iron chin Jones wouldn't be able to hurt him and the knockdown in their first fight was because Toney was off balance and not hurt. I think James could have won that fight if he was in shape and, I think he could win a rematch. That could have happened at 168lbs., 175lbs, 190lbs or at heavyweight. The heavier weight classes would have better served James. Remember Roy Jones Jr. said his best opponent he ever fought was none other that James "Lights Out" Toney.
Pernell Whitaker vs Julio Cesar Chavez
The first fight between these two great champions was declared a draw. Everybody in the whole world knew "Sweet Pea" Whitaker gave Chavez the boxing lesson of his life. I remember watching that fight and saying to my brother "referee Richard Steele can't even save him from this loss". I was always a fan of Pernell but I respected the Mexican legend, he was 87-0 at the time of that bout. Pernell was too quick and showed him way too many angles for Julio to be effective let alone feel comfortable. Pernell scored at will and wouldn't let Chavez close all night easily winning the fight on my scorecard. Remember they were in San Antonio and it was a pro Chavez crowd and Don King was the promoter of that fight. The rematch would be no different except in that Pernell would actually get the win on his record like he should have in their first bout.
This is just the first installment of dream rematches, there are so many to choose from it will take a few more articles to even touch the tip of the iceberg. We would love to hear your thoughts and some that you would love to see so let us know.
Nick Thomas deathwish72@gmail.com
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