Boxing
Canelo vs. Saunders: Will the champion vs. champion megafight compare to unifications featuring Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather?
Watch Canelo-Saunders live on DAZN (except Mexico)
It will be Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez's WBA, WBC and The Ring super-middleweight titles against the WBO belt currently owned by Billy Joe Saunders when the two go head-to-head in Texas this weekend, airing live on DAZN worldwide with the exception of Mexico.
There is nothing quite like a scenario that pits two champions against one another, winner-take-all. So, ahead of what could be one of the better unification fights in recent memory, here are some classics worth remembering.
Lennox Lewis D12 Evander Holyfield, 1999
WBC vs. WBA & IBF heavyweight titles
The final heavyweight rivalry of the 20th century was going to be one that gave boxing an undisputed champion as Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield put their respective titles on the line in March 1999.
Lewis was dominant throughout as he used his famous jab to deter the smaller Holyfield for large portions of the contest. After 12 rounds, the general consensus amongst boxing fans was that Lewis had done more than enough but the opinions of the judges differed as the bout was scored a split draw. Lewis would have to wait until November of the same year to finally defeat Holyfield in the rematch.
Floyd Mayweather W12 Manny Pacquiao, May 2015
WBA, WBC & The Ring vs. WBO welterweight titles
It was the fight that took many years to make, but when it did, Floyd Mayweather’s unification clash with Manny Pacquiao in May 2015 was a global event that shattered a number of records. The highly-talented pair had been rivals since the Filipino superstar jumped to welterweight in 2008 but getting them in the ring with one another was hugely problematic.
When the first bell did eventually sound, Mayweather was just too good. His superior size and boxing brain prevented Pacquiao from making any inroads into the fight despite the eight-weight world champion’s best efforts. Although it didn’t live up to the hype, Mayweather, like he had done on every occasion as a professional fighter, proved he was the better man.
Bernard Hopkins WTKO9 Oscar De La Hoya, September 2004
WBA, WBC, IBF & The Ring vs. WBO middleweight titles
Boxing’s first ever fight to have all four governing body titles on the line as Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya competed for Middleweight supremacy. This eagerly-anticipated showdown, a superfight, was almost thwarted by Felix Sturm who pushed De La Hoya close on the scorecards three months earlier.
Despite Hopkins being favourite, it was believed that De La Hoya’s speed against the bigger man could be a factor but it became obvious by the halfway point that the veteran from Philadelphia was just too good. A perfectly timed body shot in round number nine hurt De La Hoya and he failed to beat the count as he was stopped for the first time in his career.
Julio Cesar Chavez WTKO12 Meldrick Taylor, 1990
WBC vs IBF light-welterweight titles
The most dramatic ending in boxing history saw Julio Cesar Chavez take Meldrick Taylor’s world title at light-welterweight/super-lightweight and add it to his own. It was the classic scenario where fighter takes on boxer as Chavez’ aggression and Taylor’s speed combined to deliver a boxing classic.
For 11 and a half rounds, Taylor fought the perfect fight as he dazzled Chavez with blistering combinations before moving out of the way of returning attacks. The strategy had slowed him down by the last round and after being dropped by Chavez, Taylor only had to tell the referee he was okay to continue. He ignored the third man and he was sensationally stopped with only one second remaining on the clock.
Mike Tyson W12 James Smith, 1987
WBC vs WBA heavyweight titles
After bursting onto the scene like no other fighter before, Mike Tyson wanted all the glory and he wasn’t prepared to wait. After becoming heavyweight boxing’s youngest world champion against Trevor Berbick in 1986, Tyson was eager to add more belts to his expanding profile. He would get the chance to do so via HBO's 'Heavyweight World Series'.
Five months after destroying Berbick to become WBC ruler, Tyson was facing WBA beltholder, James Smith. Although many expected a similar result to the Berbick mauling, the volatile New Yorker instead had to go the distance as he became unified champion via unanimous decision.
Who's name will be on the winning side of the latest entry into boxing's rich history of huge champion vs. champion battles? Find out Saturday May 8 live on DAZN everywhere except Mexico.
