This is My List of the Top HBO Fights
- Mike Tyson vs. Trevor Berbick. November 22, 1986. Hilton Center; Las Vegas, Nevada. Undefeated heavyweight phenom Mike Tyson, enters the ring in Las Vegas a decided underdog against the WBC champion Trevor Berbick. ‘Kid Dynamite’ doesn’t disappoint with a second round destruction of Berbick, and ushers in a new era of heavyweight boxing. An interesting note lies in the fact that Berbick is the last fighter to face Muhammad Ali, when he defeated him on December 11, 1981 in Nassau, the Bahamas, and loses to Tyson 5 years later, linking the two legend’s careers.
- George Foreman vs. Michael Moorer. November 5, 1994. History is made at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, when 45 year old George Foreman knocks out WBA and IBF Heavyweight Champion Michael Moorer in the 10th round with a perfect one-two combination. George kneels in his corner in a prayer of thanks to the Lord for making his 7 1/2 dream come true of regaining the heavyweight title. ‘Big George’ becomes the oldest heavyweight champ in history, and it happens 20 years after he lost his championship to Muhammad Ali on October 30, 1974.
- Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas. February 11, 1990. Tokyo Dome; Tokyo, Japan. James ‘Buster’ Douglas is listed as a 42-1 underdog, and only the Mirage in Las Vegas posted the odds. It was a memorable night to me personally, to go to my sister’s house with a VHS tape in hand, telling my mom before I left “I’m going to tape the fight, because you never know what might happen!” I was certainly glad I did, when Douglas shocked the world, and totally dominated Tyson from the opening bell. Douglas even recovered from and 8th round knockdown, to do put Tyson on canvas two rounds later with a spectacular 4-punch combination. To me, it is the greatest upset in boxing history.
- Meldrick Taylor vs. Julio Cesar Chavez. March 17, 1990. Hilton Center; Las Vegas, Nevada. Two of boxing’s best met on St. Patrick’s Day in Las Vegas, and Meldrick Taylor boxed beautifully for most of the bout, before tiring late. Chavez began to do damage to Taylor over the last half of the fight, but Taylor was still way ahead on the cards on two of the scorecards when the 12th and final round began. Chavez dropped Meldrick as round was closing, but Taylor rose to his feet, and was standing in his corner when referee Richard Steele called a halt with just 2 seconds left, awarding a knockout to Chavez. To me, it is the absolutely worst referee call in history, and took the heart from Meldrick Taylor. Muhammad Ali said himself that “Referee Richard Steele ruined that kid’s life.” Those words echo my sentiments exactly, and I still can’t watch that fight to this day, it angers me so much.
- Larry Holmes vs. Michael Spinks 1. September 21, 1985. Riviera Outdoor Arena; Las Vegas, Nevada. 30 years to the day after retired undefeated heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano’s last fight, Larry Holmes enters the ring 48-0, and looking to tie the record against undefeated light-heavyweight champ Michael Spinks. In a close, give and take bout, a 200 pound Spinks outboxes Holmes enough to end his dream, and win a close unanimous decision. To me, it was a fight I didn’t want to see, since both fighters were on my favorite list. While I was happy Michael won the heavyweight title, I hated to see Larry lose his chance to tie Marciano’s record, and make history. While not an exciting fight to watch, it’s historic for it’s significance, and is on my list as one of HBO’s top 5.
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