For the most part of the 1960?s up to the early years of the new century, the heavyweights had reined the boxing world. It was also the era when a boxer was crowned the heavyweight champion of the world, it meant that he truly was the best in the world.
The love affair between fans and heavyweights was a worldwide affair and Hollywood was no acceptation. The first Rocky movie had just won the award for Best Picture at the 1976 Oscars. Sylvester Stallone was forever tied to real life boxing as Rocky Balboa, an unknown heavyweight boxer who rose to stardom by fighting the best boxer of that movie, Apollo Creed. Many heavyweight boxers can even relate to Rocky because of the fictional character?s humble beginnings before achieving superstardom.
When Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier on March 8, 1971 in Madison Square Garden, actor Burt Lancaster together with legendary boxing announcer Don Dunphy delivered the ringside broadcast to millions of fans watching around the world. This match, known as the Fight of the Century, was the most eagerly anticipated bout at that time as it simply featured the best heavyweight champions in the world. Both were undefeated and had legitimate claims to the heavyweight crown. The hype of this fight went into another realm when even Frank Sinatra was unable to purchase a ringside seat.
On October 1, 1975, the third and final installment of the Ali-Frazier saga was held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines. It is the climax of the historic rivalry between the two most dominant heavyweights ever seen. This bout was produced by HBO and had a tremendous media following leading up to the fight. One memorable quote from Muhammad Ali states, ?It’s gonna be a thrilla, and a chilla, and a killa, when I get the Gorilla in Manila?. It was an epic battle after 14 scintillating rounds with both fighters fighting with all their might and will power. It was simply one of the best fights seen in the 20th century. President Ferdinand Marcos, an avid boxing fan, watched this fight even with tremendous heat was felt inside the full-packed stadium.
Jumping on to 2002, reigning heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis was about to defend his WBC, IBF, and IBO titles against the unpredictable former WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion ?Iron? Mike Tyson at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis Tennessee. This event was an eagerly anticipated match and brought boatloads of Hollywood celebrities such as Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise, Richard Gere, Clint Eastwood, and many other movie and sports celebrities. Controversies surrounded the event before fight night. Though Tyson?s licensing problems, the birth of the over-priced ticket (as high as $2,400 per seat), and the infamous press conference brawl, the match turned-out to be the biggest sporting event in Tennessee and has attracted more than 15 thousand fight fans. It was the highest grossing event in Pay Per View history at that time after generating 1.95 PPV buys or $106.9 million in revenue.
We also saw great moments from the heavyweight class of the eighties when the likes of Evander Holyfield, Michael Moorer, Larry Holmes, and of course, Mike Tyson, were the dominant forces behind the success of boxing. These men carried the sport with many unforgettable fights that captivated worldwide audience. From Asia to Europe, then back to North America, there is no other belt that is more important than to win the Heavyweight Championship of the world.
Those were the days when the heavyweights ruled the world. Today, boxing is being carried by boxers who campaigns below 160lbs. Amazing talents are all over the boxing scene but the one division which Americans loved the most are not as popular as before. Yes we have the Klitschko brothers and David Haye who are all talented but incredibly boring to the majority of US fans. Sad but true, this is as good as it gets. I truly hope that one day the re-emergence of the heavyweight division can bounce back and redeem its rightful place in the sport we love the most.
