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Fights We Cannot Imagine Ever Taking Place
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Number One: Floyd Patterson versus Rocky Marciano, George Foreman or Joe Frazier
If instead of rematching Ali, Patterson instead fought Big George Foreman in an attempt to regain the world heavyweight title, it would have ended as quick as his two first-round losses to Sonny Liston. If Patterson had fought Rocky Marciano, Foreman, or Joe Frazier, he would have gotten knocked out by all of them. If Patterson had fought on in later age, the odds say he would have been decisioned by Leon Spinks.
Number Two: Floyd Mayweather Jr. versus Errol Spence Jr. or Terence Crawford.
The public will approve of a Floyd versus Manny Pacquiao rematch, but does not want to see Floyd cut down by a younger, faster opponent. Given Pac Man Pacquiao’s recent win over undefeated World Welterweight champion Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman, it is questionable if aging Floyd could even beat Pacquiao in a rematch after years of inactivity.
Number Three: Gerry Cooney versus Mike Tyson or Tommy Morrison
True, both Tyson and Cooney both fought Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks. The comparison stops there, as Cooney lost to Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks and George Foreman. After these three losses, the public no longer screamed for Cooney as ‘The Great White Hope’, and without trainer Victor Valle in his corner, Cooney seemed lost.
Number Four: Gerald McClellan versus Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Robert Duran, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, or Iran Barkley
With respect, McClellan knocked out three opponents in a row in the first round in defense of his World Boxing Council World Middleweight title. The real trouble was that the ‘G-Man’ had a fearsome reputation, yet lacked public name recognition required for a major marquee bout with any big names. When G-Man broke connections with his trainer, the late Emanuel Steward, he greater distanced himself from his chances of scoring a big name payday. A permanent brain injury against Nigel Benn ended his career-and the argument.
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