Top 10 Heavyweight Rematches of All Time

Top 10 Rematches

We saw Usyk/Joshua 2 recently, and while it was an ok fight, it will not make this list. The criteria for this list are how good of a fight it was, plus historical relevance. Historical relevance is what put Ali/Spinks 2 and Tunney/Dempsey 2 on this list. I know people will scream about Fury/Wilder 3 not being on this list, and that’s ok. It was an exciting fight, and it would have made the list if not for the historical relevance of numbers 9 and 10.

10. Muhammad Ali vs Leon Spinks II

Although Ali’s prime was over many years ago, the 1978 rematch against Spinks marked another exceptional moment in Ali’s life. Spinks, an ex-Olympic champion who was entering his ninth professional fight, beat Ali by a split decision in February 1978. Ali was in much better form than Spinks in September of 1978 and was able to outbox his younger opponent in the rematch at the Superdome. He won a wide decision. Although this isn’t Ali’s best performance, Ali held his ground well and was integral to his game plan. It was, however, the last piece of in ring brilliance from one of boxing’s most important figures.

Muhammad Ali vs Leon Spinks 2 | FREE FIGHT | Happy Birthday Muhammad Ali

9. Gene Tunney vs Jack Dempsey II

Tunney/Dempsey was known as the “Long Count Fight”, and his first defense of the title came after he beat the era’s greatest star in their first match. Round 7 at Soldier Field in September 1927 was the decisive moment of this two-part series. Dempsey dropped Tunney, but he hovered above him, delaying the referee’s count due to a new rule that requires it not to begin until Dempsey goes to a neutral corner. Tunney was unconscious for 14 seconds before he got up at the official’s nine count. This is what overshadows the fight. Tunney knocked down the declining Dempsey in Round 8. Tunney lost only one round of this 10-round decision.

Jack Dempsey vs Gene Tunney II Complete Fight HD

8. Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton III

Ali-Norton III was held at Yankee Stadium in September 1976 during a New York City Police strike. It ended in controversy, just like the second fight. The declining Ali didn’t move as much in the third Norton fight, which allowed the ever-game opponent to create a stunning opus. Ali managed to perform multiple throwback rounds, even if it seemed to late. He stood toe-toe in the action-packed, brutally violent 13th and 14th stanzas. Judges unanimously voted for Ali’s rally, denying Norton his place in history.

Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton III #Legendary Night# HD

7. James Jeffries vs Bob Fitzsimmons II

Jeffries-Fitzsimmons II fought 11 rounds in their initial encounter. However, the San Francisco eight-round sequel saw Jeffries-Fitzsimmons II become a bloody, brutal battle. In their 1899 matchup, Jeffries won Fitzsimmons’ belt in their 1899 matchup.. Fitzsimmons, 39 years old and only 172 pounds, battered Jeffries at the start of the rematch. He broke his nose and left cuts around both his eyes. Fitzsimmons broke both hands in Round 8. Jeffries taunted Fitzsimmons, and the elder fighter stopped the beating. Jeffries’ two-punch combination ended round 8.

Jeffries Fitzsimmons fight 1899

6. Floyd Patterson vs Ingemar Johansson III

The trio of bouts featured 13 combined knockdowns. Three of them were in the first round of this third encounter. Patterson, weighing 194 pounds, was dropped twice after two right hands from Johansson in Round 1. The champ’s left hook, which ended their second fight, returned later in Round 1. It dropped Johansson to make unusual scorecards. After four rounds of brawling, Patterson — Cus D’Amato-trained Patterson won the March 1961 rubber match with a right-hand combination. This concluded the series. The title was his until he lost to Sonny Liston in two absolute blowout battles where Patterson looked beat before the bouts had even started.

Floyd Patterson vs Ingemar Johansson, III

5. Evander Holyfield vs Riddick Bowe III

The rubber match was not for major belts. At 46, George Foreman held the lineal title. This lowered Holyfield-Bowe III’s reputation from their previous title fights. After his 1994 loss to Michael Moorer, Holyfield was diagnosed with a cardiac problem. The favored Bowe was quickly beating Holyfield. After HBO commentator Foreman had called for the fight to be stopped, a reenergized Holyfield became the first man that knocked out Bowe in the sixth round. Holyfield was stopped by the bigger, younger man with two eighth-round knockdowns.

Riddick Bowe vs Evander Holyfield III – Highlights (Holyfield KNOCKED OUT)

4. Joe Louis vs Jersey Joe Walcott II

Louis was awarded a controversial victory over Walcott in 1947, just before the end of his 11-year reign as heavyweight champion. In the rematch, Walcott knocked Louis down in the third round at Yankee Stadium in June 1948. Louis summoned one last great effort and battered Walcott into submission in the eleventh round to retain his title.

Joe Louis vs Jersey Joe Walcott II HD

3. Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton II

This non-title bout happened shortly after Norton broke Ali’s jaw in their first fight — Ali’s second loss. Ali faced a muscular slugger who was always a difficult opponent. Ali won in 12 rounds at the Great Western Forum and was awarded a split-decision victory. Ali’s 12th-round awakening allowed him to take the fight back and keep his title hopes alive. This was a tremendous battle and the one fight out of the three that I am sure Ali won.

Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton II ” The Revenge” HD #ElTerribleProduction​

Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton II ” The Revenge” HD #ElTerribleProduction​

2. Evander Holyfield vs Riddick Bowe II

Holyfield-Bowe II is overlooked because of the “Fan Man” incident. It shouldn’t. Bowe was 11 pounds heavier than Holyfield (at 246), but the champion was closing Holyfield’s lead before this occurred. In a highly entertaining rematch in Las Vegas, the top two heavyweights of 1993 were not separated in the last five-and-a-half rounds as they went toe-to-toe. The fight continued well past the bell in many rounds, including Round 12, when Holyfield trainer Emanuel Steward confronted his pupil to stop a melee. Holyfield would win the battle by a majority decision to win back his crown.

Riddick Bowe vs Evander Holyfield II – Highlights (Infamous Fan Man Incident)

1. Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier III

October 1, 1975’s “The Thrilla in Manila” was well after Frazier had his best years. The Ali camp didn’t anticipate what was to come. Ali won the first round, and the reenergized challenger continued to operate at his peak level of ferocity. Ali was battered by Frazier’s relentlessness and left hooks. Ali overcame his greatest adversary by jumping out of his corner in Round 13 and then unleashing a brutal display of accuracy in Rounds 13-14. Eddie Futch, Frazier’s trainer, ended the fight before it reached the final round. After the incredible night in the Philippines, neither fighter was the same.

Muhammad Ali v. Joe Frazier III Full Fight Highlights 1080p

Honorable Mentions

Wilder vs Fury 3

Spinks vs Holmes 2

Marciano vs Charles 2

Lewis vs Rahman 2

Holmes vs Shavers 2