Four Fights that Stand Alone

In the history of heavyweight boxing, it is my contention that there are 4 fights that stand alone. These fights contain all of the elements that seem to be desirable in a heavyweight championship fight: They were all for the championship of the world, they were all long fights, they were all hotly contested, they were all highly anticipated, highly competitive, action-packed, skillful, dramatic and filled with mutual bravery. Here they are, in chronological order.

1)1971- Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier...............Result: W 15 Frazier

PUNCHES: Frazier 185, Ali 167 TOTAL: 352
Combined Per Rd: 23.5
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2)1975- Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier 3...........Result: KO 14 Ali

PUNCHES: Ali 222, Frazier 179 TOTAL: 401
Combined Per Rd: 28.6
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3) 1978- Larry Holmes vs Ken Norton..........Result: W 15 Holmes
W 15 Holmes
PUNCHES: Norton 198, Holmes 191 TOTAL: 389
Combined Per Rd: 25.9
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4)1992- Evander Holyfield vs Riddick Bowe........Result: W 12 Bowe

PUNCHES: Bowe 193, Holyfield 155 TOTAL: 348
Combined Per Rd: 29.0
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Honorable Mentions: Louis vs Conn, Walcott vs Marciano, Frazier vs Bonavena2, Holmes vs MSpinks2