On April 22, 1995, the then 26-year-old heavyweight champion Axel Schulz challenged George Foreman at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas – and lost only by a highly controversial points decision. All sports have some controversial decisions. Also betting on horse racing can be a challenge. But if you want to try, we recommend you horse racing bet Ireland .
A memorable fight, but one that did not make it into our top ten most legendary boxing matches:
Our Ranking
10th place: Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson, 2002, Memphis
It couldn’t have been more spectacular. First, there was the mass brawl before the fight. Tyson bit Lewis on the thigh. Then there were fireworks in the ring. At first, it was an evenly matched exchange of blows, but then Tyson ran out of steam. Lewis showed no mercy and made short work of him in round 8.
9th place: Arthur Abraham vs. Edison Miranda, 2006, Wetzlar
“The Bloodbath of Wetzlar”: King Arthur continues to fight despite a broken jaw. Vast amounts of blood gush from his mouth. Coach Ulli Wegner takes responsibility, but he surely still has nightmares when he thinks about this extreme situation.
8th place: Mike Tyson vs. Trevor Berbick, 1986, Las Vegas
This fight marked the rise of “Iron Mike.” Full throttle, full power. It was like an assault. For poor Berbick, it all happened too fast. It was legendary how he tried to continue after the direct hits in the second round. But he was just staggering. At 20 years and 144 days, Mike Tyson is the youngest heavyweight world champion of all time.
7th place: Lennox Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko, 2003, Los Angeles
What a duel, what a battle. High tension every second. A knockout always possible. Klitschko strong as an ox, Lewis impressive. Then that murderous uppercut from Lewis, Klitschko flinches only briefly. Dr. Iron Fist with an iron chin. In round 6, the spectacle is stopped. Klitschko is covered in blood. Until then, Klitschko is ahead on all the scorecards.
6th place: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Anthony Joshua, 2017, Wembley
A fight of superlatives. 100,000 fans in London sing “Sweet Caroline.” Then all hell breaks loose in the ring. Exchange of blows, both fighters are wobbling, Wembley is boiling. Klitschko loses by knockout – it is his last fight.
5th place: Marvin Hagler vs. Sugar Ray Leonard, 1987, Las Vegas
Fighting machine Hagler was also the clear favorite, after all, he had been undefeated for ten years. He marches forward, chasing Leonard. Leonard is more agile and counters skillfully. The most breathtaking battle in middleweight history. What a pace. Leonard wins on points. Controversial.
4th place: Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson, 1996, Las Vegas
Holyfield is bought in as the underdog – and fights the fight of his life. He tames the beast Tyson and knocks him out in round 11. What a spectacle, what an incredible fighter, this Bible-believing Holyfield. It’s still unbelievable today that this boxing miracle was possible. Just like Tyson’s crazy ear bite a few months later in the second duel.
3rd place: Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling, 1936, New York
Before June 19, 1936, the “Brown Bomber” was considered unbeatable. But the “Black Uhlan of the Rhine” had seen something. After the punch, Louis always kept his left hand hanging down. Showtime Round 12: With his feared right hand, Max Schmeling brutally knocked the young American to the ground. Sensational, a world sensation! One of the greatest underdog victories in history.
2nd place: Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier, 1975, Manila
The “Thrilla in Manila”: brutal boxing. Fascination and horror at the same time. For 14 rounds, the two beat each other wildly. Then Frazier’s corner gives up, fearing for the life of their protégé. Ali is declared the winner – and also collapses after the battle.
1st place: Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman, 1974, Kinshasa
The “Rumble in the Jungle”: The epic fight! Foreman pounds Ali for round after round. Ali hangs on the ropes, taking hit after hit, suffering hellish agony. But his tactic works. Foreman has used up his bear-like strength. In round 8, Ali’s hour comes. The legendary left-right combination, a volley of head shots. Foreman falls. Ali is and remains the greatest!