Does Lewis-Tyson still rank as the second or third most anticipated boxing match ever?

[Intermission]

I remember there was very heavy marketing for Lewis -Tyson even on regular tv. It was promoted as event of the year. Unfortunately only one of them came out to dance. Tyson was heavier than ever which I think was a psychological weakness. He either felt he was too small or he just didnt do enough sprints.

Lewis looking back on the fight doesn't believe Tyson wanted to be in there.

As for anticipated fights, Foreman -Ali gotta be nr 1. Some might argue for Mayweather-Pacman as second but I cant wrap myself around the idea that lightweights can generate more interest than heavies.

Am i completely off the mark to rank Lewis-Tyson in the top 3 most anticipated fights ever? I dont think pay per view alone is a be-end-all critera.

 

[nonoob]

LOVED Mike's trash talkin' about, then to Lennox's face before the fight happened.

Classic Warrior BMOTP - AND F'n LIVED IT !

Savagery Other Men Could Only Dream About. All fighters take a back seat, Way Back.​

 

[Intermission]

LOVED Mike's trash talkin' about, then to Lennox's face before the fight happened.

Classic Warrior BMOTP - AND F'n LIVED IT !

Savagery Other Men Could Only Dream About. All fighters take a back seat, Way Back.​

And he did all that talking to Evander too and Jake Paul. Its all an act.

 

[nonoob]

And he did all that talking to Evander too and Jake Paul. Its all an act.

Yeah, NOW, 4 decades later.

There was NO act about his ferocity through the entire 1980's. Mitch Green thought it was an act too, he painfully learned it wasn't.

 

[Intermission]

Yeah, NOW, 4 decades later.

There was NO act about his ferocity through the entire 1980's. Mitch Green thought it was an act too, he painfully learned it wasn't.

He was incredibly consistent with Rooney. Won about 85% of the rounds. Most champions have far lower percentages.

 

[TankAbbott4Eva]

This was around the time PPVs were introduced into Australia, I was one of the only ones that had cable at home so i had like 40 people around for the fight, this has really never happened since. Was a massive fight, a few years earlier would have been better but that's boxing.

 

[JC615]

Tyson/Lewis was highly anticipated but the majority of Boxing fans already knew the outcome and what was going on in Tyson's life at the time. Some people saw Rahman starch Lewis in 1 round and had visions of Tyson coming out in 1986-1988 form and doing the same. Ali/Frazier I is ahead of Ali/Foreman and Tyson/Lewis and you're forgetting about historically massive fights like Louis vs. Schmeling, amongst others.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

Just from my memory, Holyfield vs Tyson 2 was a more anticipated fight, perhaps the first one too.

Mayweather vs Pacqiao was absolutely bigger, I dont even get how that is a question. Lighter fighters DO outdraw heavier fighters, especially welterweights. WWs are the backbone of commercial boxing, heavyweights have long periods of relative indifference before new talents pop up.


Ali vs Liston and Ali vs Frazier - multiple fights from those.

 

[HereticBD]

Not from what I remember. Tyson's aura was already gone. The lead up was fun, but I think people knew what was coming. Lewis also wasn't exactly a fan friendly fighter either.

It was pretty big, but top 3? Nah.

 

[Mujeriego]

Louis vs Schmeling I and II.