OT: Another Sport I No Longer Recognize
Thomas “Hitman” Hearns vs. Roberto Duran. Duran had never been knocked out in 82 pro fights until this. Listen to the right hand at 0:46. It sounds like a fucking gunshot. Still the most perfect punch I have ever seen.
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) July 2, 2025
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“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
Sticky is right, there was a glorious run of terrific boxing across weight classes...
WTH happened?
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
hearns and Hagler what a great fight
As a kid, I was into boxing, remember listening to the Ali/Frazier fights on the radio with my dad. However, when I look at the sport now, I am not sure I can really call it a "sport". Football is pretty violent, but the goal of boxing is to knock your opponent out unconscious, it is pretty barbaric and maybe time to retire it. One of my favorite sporting events of the year is the NCAA Wrestling championships, I believe that takes so much more skill and athleticism than boxing and never understood why it never has become a more popular sport. Amazing that millions would watch fake "wrestling" or guys kick and punch other in a cage.
Yes sir, the mid 70s through about the year 2000 was top notch for boxing....in almost every weight class. Way too many great fighters to mention, seriously. I'll throw out just one personal favorite amongst many (Hitman Hearns was exceptional, along with Duran in his prime referencing the video above) but Roy Jones Jr. in his prime was as dominating as any fighter in history. Amazing skills.
I'm not going down the rabbit hole because there are dozens and dozens of boxers in that timeframe that were unbelievably good....I could mention so many. Nothing like that now to your point. Not even close.
purplefaithful wrote:
Sticky is right, there was a glorious run of terrific boxing across weight classes...WTH happened?
Shady promoters hired their own judges and outcomes were predetermined, by fighting lesser talents or paid off judges.
There were great fighters and fights, but promoters like Don King ran the sport into the ground. Money corrupts.
"Only in America".
JR44 wrote:I agree. It's totally illegal unless you do it for money and label it as a sporting event!
As a kid, I was into boxing, remember listening to the Ali/Frazier fights on the radio with my dad. However, when I look at the sport now, I am not sure I can really call it a "sport". Football is pretty violent, but the goal of boxing is to knock your opponent out unconscious, it is pretty barbaric and maybe time to retire it. One of my favorite sporting events of the year is the NCAA Wrestling championships, I believe that takes so much more skill and athleticism than boxing and never understood why it never has become a more popular sport. Amazing that millions would watch fake "wrestling" or guys kick and punch other in a cage.
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