SOME “BLACK EYES” THAT CHANGED BOXING HISTORY
Floyd Patterson
1. September 14, 1968 (Stockholm, Sweden) Jimmy Ellis W 15 over Floyd Patterson: This fight was not even close, Patterson won at least 9 of the 15 rounds over a limited fighter in Ellis.
2. April 30, 1976 (Landover, Maryland) Muhammad Ali W15 over Jimmy Young : Had Ali lost it would have taken alot of money out of the sport, Young was the clear winner.
3. April 19, 1986 (Las Vegas, NV) Michael Spinks W 15 (rematch) over Larry Holmes: The first fight could have gone either way, this, the second tango, Larry won running away.
4. March 12, 1988 (Haunts-DeSine, France) Jose Luis Ramirez W 12 over Pernell Whitaker: This was a farce, Whitaker won this with ease.
5. June 12, 1989 (Las Vegas, NV) Tommy Hearns Draw 12 with Ray Leonard: Tommy had Ray down twice. Years later even Ray admitted he had lost this fight.
6. June 26, 1996 (Atlantic City, New Jersey) Hector Camacho W 12 over Roberto Duran: Everybody but the officials thought Roberto won this one.
Young George Foreman & The Old One!
7. November 22, 1997 (Atlantic City, New Jersey) Shannon Briggs W 12 over George Foreman: George won this one, sad a two-time heavyweight champion, an iconic figure had to go out on such a sour note.
8. March 13, 1999 (New York, NY) Lennox Lewis Draw 12 with Evander Holyfield: HBO’s Jim Lampley said it right, “Highway robbery.”
9. June 5, 2005 (Las Vegas, NV) Oscar De La Hoya W 12 Felix Sturm: Oscar, even you must admit you lost this one.
Erislandy Lara
10. July 9, 2011 (Atlantic City, New Jersey) Paul Williams W12 over Erislandy Lara: Lara easily won eight, if not nine or ten of the 12 rounds. Ex-champ Roy Jones said it best, “Even Paul knew he lost this fight.”
Tony Moody