Top 10 Heavyweight Rematches of All Time

 For anyone passionate about the sweet science, there’s nothing better than boxing bouts where the two fighters slug it out for 12 rounds in a contest that could easily be called a tie.

More often than not, those fights are replayed as a rematch – sometimes, the second bout is just as entertaining as the first, and often the vanquished from the initial scrap will become the victor in the sector.

Katie Taylor hopes that’s how her rematch with Chantelle Cameron plays out this November…

Revenge or Repeat

The first fight went the distance, with two judges scoring it 94-96 in Cameron’s favor and the other a 95-95 tie.

It doesn’t get much closer than that, although the sportsbooks believe it will be a case of repeat, not revenge, in their Chantelle Cameron vs Katie Taylor odds by making the former their -175 favorite, with Taylor the dangerous underdog at +140.

Those placing their boxing bets online will be interested to know how often the winner from the first fight goes on to prevail in the rematch. Are they the better boxer? Does their psychological edge guide them to victory? Or does the defeated individual dust themselves off, work harder, and go and secure the win in the second bout?

Some of the best boxing rematches in history offer some clues.

Ali vs Frazier (1974)

The rematch between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier was pertinent because ‘Smokin’ Joe’ had been the first man to defeat Ali three years prior.

Their initial slobber knocker, later dubbed the ‘Fight of the Century’, was the sort of action that guarantees a rematch – both men having their moments of advantage before a late onslaught from Frazier secured the win.

Sometimes when an undefeated fighter loses their ‘0’, it can devastate their career. But not for Ali, and despite the bad blood between the pair continuing in the pre-fight press conferences and shenanigans, he was all business on the night, securing revenge with a comfortable points victory.

Pacquiao vs Marquez (2008)

Something kept drawing Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manual Marquez back together – they fought four times across three different weight divisions.

Their first meeting ultimately built the legacy, with Pacquaio dominating the early stages and dropping Marquez to the canvas three times. But the Mexican rallied and won many rounds thereafter, leading to a bizarre trio of scorecards that saw both fighters winning handsomely and the third showing a tie.

Like Ali vs Frazier, it was a shame that it took four years for the rematch to happen............................... This time, in 2008, the pair locked horns at super-featherweight, with another nip-and-tuck contest ending in a split decision – Pacquiao just about doing enough in the eyes of the judges to come out on top.

Gatti vs Ward (2002)

If you want to watch edge-of-the-seat boxing without the hype, pomp, and circumstance, seek the trilogy between Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward.

Their first meeting was named fight of the year by many within boxing media, with Ward clinching a majority decision from a helter-skelter contest.

They agreed to a rematch just months later, testing their physical resolve, and once again they went hammer and tongs for the win – this time, Gatti securing his revenge on the scorecards.

If Cameron vs Taylor can live up to this lineage, fight fans are in for a treat this November.