After the grand unveiling of the first 5 v 5 card in Saudi Arabia, an undeniable quest began to find the ultimate card both in theory and in practice. The ongoing Frank and Eddie adventure seems to have great potential, as they say.
There may not be a clear-cut evening that stands out above all others, but undoubtedly, there are nights in the professional game where five, six, or even seven prominent figures grace the same card. Of course, there have been countless unforgettable nights and thrilling fights. The focus here lies in the superiority of quality over quantity. While there are undeniably exceptional amateur nights, the intricacies of the game (as per my own rules) make it a complex endeavor.
The night at the Azteca in 1993 was an unforgettable event, drawing a massive crowd of over 140,000 people. This spectacle excelled in various aspects, boasting a record-breaking attendance, an intriguing exotic location, and a menacing security team armed with ferocious dogs that added an element of danger. The lineup of boxers, featuring the likes of Julio Cesar Chavez, Greg Haugen, Felix Trinidad, Gerald McClellan, Terry Norris, Michael Nunn, Azumah Nelson, Gabriel Ruelas, and Maurice Blocker, was undeniably formidable. However, out of the six main fights, including four world title bouts, three or four turned out to be brutal massacres that left a bitter taste in the mouths of spectators. Watching these matches was an unpleasant experience.
Still, it’s a real contender.
During Mike Tyson’s reign in the boxing world, his fights in Las Vegas were highly anticipated and attracted a lot of attention globally. However, upon closer examination, the fights during the 90s were not as impressive as they are often remembered. Many of the undercard matches were poorly matched, resulting in bloody and painful encounters that were predictable. While there were a few exceptions, the majority of Tyson’s fights lacked competitive matchups. In contrast, the upcoming Saudi bill in June promises to deliver a card without any mismatches. Although some fights may be one-sided and painful to watch, there will be no obvious disparities in skill and ability. Even if Deontay Wilder knocks out Zhilei Zhang in a short time, it would not be considered a mismatch, but rather a quick knockout. This adherence to fairness is one of my guiding principles.
During my search, I encountered numerous occasions where amateurs showcased their skills both during the day and night. Some nights were truly remarkable, especially for someone like me who craves information. I also stumbled upon a revelation: David Burke from the Salisbury club in Liverpool apparently followed Floyd Mayweather into the ring during the 1995 World Amateur Championships in Berlin. I wondered if they interacted at the gloving-up station or had a conversation. Unfortunately, both of them ended up losing that day. While the fights were decent, they didn’t reach the level of a classic. However, the fact that renowned figures experienced defeat only amplified the significance of that night in my mental ranking system – a rule I impose upon myself.
This afternoon and evening at the Walkden Sixth Form College in 2014 was truly exceptional. The Youth Championships held there were unparalleled. Moreover, the entry fee was incredibly affordable, possibly just ten pounds or less, making the ticket price a significant factor.
Sunny Edwards emerged victorious against Andrew Cain in the minimumweight division. However, the standout performer of the day was Ben Whittaker, who put up a great fight but narrowly lost to Jimmy Smith. These athletes possess impressive credentials, including Olympic silver medals and world championship titles, and they still have a lot more to offer. With all this excitement, it’s definitely worth your tenner.
Dalton Smith, Peter McGrail, Daniel Dubois, Zak Chelli, and Viddal Riley were among the winners at the Sixth Form college on that day. Additionally, there were a dozen more names that emerged victorious.
In my possession is a bout sheet from the 1995 Liverpool Festival of Boxing, documenting the match between Wladimir Klitschko and Somluck Kamsing, which took place on a memorable afternoon. Interestingly, the following year, during the Olympics in Atlanta, both fighters achieved tremendous success by winning gold medals.
Since its establishment in Havana in 1974, the World amateur championships have witnessed some extraordinary moments. On August 28, 1974, the first day of semi-finals showcased notable winners and losers such as Mate Parlov, Howard Davis, Teofilo Stevenson, Leon Spinks, Wilfredo Gomez, and Ayub Kalue. Prior to this stage, Mike McCallum and numerous others had already faced defeat, highlighting the immense talent of the Soviet contenders. In Havana, Gomez displayed exceptional skill by knocking out all four of his opponents at the young age of 17, ultimately securing the gold in the bantamweight category. Remarkably, he had also participated in the Munich Olympics in 1972 at the age of 15. Regardless of the circumstances, whether it be different rules, equipment, or a varying number of rounds, Gomez’s prowess would have made him a legendary fighter in any era. He truly deserves the title of a king.
Just last week, I attempted to arrange a tournament for Artur Beterbiev and Dmitri Bivol, but unfortunately, I was unsuccessful. However, I was aware that they had previously been on the national team together. Bivol mentioned admiring Beterbiev, but Beterbiev simply shrugged and smiled, stating that he did not remember Bivol. This response did not sit well with Bivol. Instead, I discovered that on a Wednesday in October 2011, Oleksandr Usyk defeated Beterbiev at the World Championships in Baku during the heavyweight quarter-finals. It was an eventful and memorable day.
Serik Sapiyev defeated Errol Spence, Michael Conlan was beaten by Andrew Selby, Roberto Cammarelle lost to Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic was defeated by Ivan Dychko, Vasyl Lomachenko emerged as the winner, and Luke Campbell also secured a victory. The previous day, Yosbany Veitia triumphed over Naoya Inoue, while Zhilei Zhang was beaten by Ivan Dychko. This remarkable lineup comprises world champions, Olympic gold medalists, and exceptional talents of our time.
The upcoming June show in Saudi Arabia is now a part of the equation, and who knows, it could potentially be the greatest show yet, thanks to my impromptu and adaptable rules. That’s the charm of our game – you can never anticipate what will happen.
