Best Lightweight Bouts of All Time
Manny Pacquiao vs. David Diaz (2008)
Manny Pacquiao vs. David Diaz (2008)
Manny Pacquiao doesn't exactly trade punches with opponents, as much as he dismantles them like a Benihana chef tearing through a lobster tail. But when he beat David Diaz to take the WBC lightweight title, it was certainly a wake-up call to the boxing world that Manny would be just as effective in higher weightclasses as he had been as a featherweight - setting the table for what all fans hope will be the welterweight division's best fight in years when he (finally) takes on Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Tony Canzoneri vs. Barney Ross II (1933)
Tony Canzoneri vs. Barney Ross II (1933)
Tony Canzoneri was one of the great Italian-American fighters of the first half of the 20th Century, and a world lightweight champ. His most famous fights are perhaps two he lost, both to Barney Ross. The second battle took place at New York City's Polo Grounds, and went 15 rounds, ending with a split decision in Ross' favor. Ross would vacate his lightweight title in 1935, and it would be Canzoneri who would claim it after a victory over Lou Ambers.
Aaron Pryor vs. Alexis Arguello I (1982)
Aaron Pryor vs. Alexis Arguello I (1982)
The Ring magazine's fight of the 80s took place in the junior welterweight division, pitting two fighters who'd been stellar as lightweights. Aaron Pryor was defending the jr. welterweight title when he squared off against Alexis Arguello at the Miami Orange Bowl. The two hammered it out over 14 long rounds, with Pryor, aka The Hawk, emerging victorious with a TKO.
Benny Leonard vs. Lew Tendler (1923)
Benny Leonard vs. Lew Tendler (1923)
Born Benny Leiner in 1896 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan back when it was a Jewish ghetto (kid's nickname was The Ghetto Wizard), Benny Leonard (a name he took once he turned pro) fought his way out of obscurity to become one of the biggest draws in boxing. His 1923 match versus Lew Tendler at Yankee Stadium drew a crowd of 58,519 fans, which would still rank as an absolutely epic turnout for a title bout. Leonard was lightweight champ from 1917 to 1925, when he retired.
Pernell Whitaker vs. Greg Haugen (1989)
Pernell Whitaker vs. Greg Haugen (1989)
Olympic Gold-Medalist Pernell Whitaker's best known fight may be his 1993 draw against Julio Caesar Chavez in the welterweight division. But in 1990 he became the first unified champion in the lightweight division since Roberto Duran. His journey there began in 1988, with a loss to WBC champ Jose Luis Ramirez. Whitaker came storming back in 1989, with a unanimous decision over IBF champ Haugen, and would go on to claim the IBF title as well in a rematch victory over Ramirez that same year.
Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo (2005)
Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo (2005)
These two pugilists may not rank among history's greatest, but this is one of those matches that people who know boxing know by heart. Corrales won by TKO in the 10th Round, staging a furious comeback after having been knocked down twice in early rounds. But, of course, like any great bout, there was controversy: Corrales spit out his mouthpiece after the second knock down, which earned him 30 seconds to get his brain to stop pounding. Castillo won the subsequent rematch.
Henry Armstrong vs. Lou Ambers I B9(1938)
Henry Armstrong vs. Lou Ambers I B9(1938)
In the first of two fights with Lou Ambers, Henry Armstrong claimed the lightweight title, making him the champion in three different weight classes simultaneously (he would gain or lose a few pounds for each fight, depending on the division). Ambers took the lightweight title back in a rematch, but Armstrong, aka Homicide Hank, is still considered among the lightweight division's finest of all time
Shane Mosley vs. Philip Holiday (1997)
Shane Mosley vs. Philip Holiday (1997)
Folks just getting into boxing now might know "Sugar" Shane Mosley as the guy on that boxing show who keeps losing (his prep for both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao were extesnsively documented for cable). But back in the day (ok, the late 1990s), Mosley was the most dominant lightweight on the planet, successfully defending the IBF title in nine consecutive fights. His win over Holiday to gain the title started one of the greatest streaks in boxing history.
Joe Gans vs. Battling Nelson (1906)
Joe Gans vs. Battling Nelson (1906)
This match, held outdoors in the scorching Nevada sun, was seen at the time to be tilted greatly in favor of Nelson, who was slated to receive double Gans' pay regardless of the outcome. Gans, still regarded as one of the greatest lightweights of all time, took Nelson 42 grueling rounds, with the match ending only when Nelson was disqualified for a low blow. Ironically, Gans had helped pick his opponent up off the mat several times during the bout.
Roberto Duran vs. Esteban De Jesus II (1974)
1. Roberto Duran vs. Esteban De Jesus II (1974)
Anyone who knows boxing will tell you the greatest lightweight of all time is Roberto Duran. Yes, the fighter best known for telling Sugar Ray Leonard "no mas" as a welterweight was an absolute monster as a lightweight. Shockingly, his second match versus Esteban De Jesus was avenging a loss, but Duran let there be no mistake as to who the better fighter was that night, clobbering De Jesus for a knockout in the 11th.
