With it now confirmed that Canelo Alvarez will meet Billy Joe Saunders in a huge unification clash on May 8th, will this fight join the long list of classics that have taken place in the super-middleweight division?
DAZN News looks at some of the most memorable fights to have taken place at 168lbs.
Watch here as Canelo destroys Avni Yildrim to set up the massive fight with Saunders on May 8th.
Nigel Benn vs. Gerald McClellan, 1995
A fight remembered for the horrific injuries suffered by Gerald McClellan, but what transpired beforehand was nothing short of breathtaking. Nigel Benn entered the fight a significant underdog and his task was made even harder following a brutal first round where he endured ridiculous punishment from the Illinois man’s heavy hands.
Benn managed to survive the onslaught and through the grit and determination that his famed career was built on, he managed to get himself back into the fight. McClellan was eventually counted out in round number 10 following a hellacious back and forth and that’s when the real fight began for the fallen American.
Roy Jones vs. James Toney, 1994
Originally identified as a well-matched battle beforehand, the highly-anticipated showdown between Roy Jones Jr and James Toney at the backend of 1994 was a one-sided masterclass that awarded Jones the noble distinction of being the best fighter in the sport at the time.
For all Toney’s pre-fight brashness, he was second best throughout as he failed to answer any of the questions thrown at him by the Pensacola man. After hitting the canvas in the third round, Toney looked like a beaten man from that moment onwards and when the bell sounded to end the fight, Jones was handed the verdict via very wide margins.
Carl Froch vs. George Groves, 2013
If ever a fight started a poisonous rivalry then it was Carl Froch’s controversial ninth round stoppage over George Groves inside a rowdy Manchester Arena in November 2013. Few within the boxing community gave Groves a chance heading into this world title showdown but those forecasting an easy night for “The Cobra” were left stunned when the Nottingham man was floored in the first round.
Froch rallied admirably and managed to turn the fight in his favour by round seven and when he unleashed a barrage of punches in the following round, Howard Foster, the fight’s referee, inexplicably halted proceedings rather than at least administer a count and the feud promptly captured the imagination of the public.
Carl Froch vs. George Groves, 2014
The third man’s decision to stop the fight created a vicious backlash leading to a monumental event at London’s Wembley Stadium seven months later. There, Froch closed the book on the rivalry, as well as his own career, with a devastating knockout.
That the battle packed out Wembley Stadium (as Froch will tell anyone within earshot at every opportunity) with such mainstream interest was the division's peak on British shores (and perhaps even beyond that) since the ITV days of Benn and Chris Eubank being household names. Speaking of which...
Nigel Benn vs. Chris Eubank, 1990
Chris Eubank vs. Nigel Benn was a rivalry that defined an era. British boxing was enjoying wonderful exposure in the early 1990s thanks to terrestrial television’s coverage of the sport combined with a varied cast of characters. Central to this were Eubank and Benn.
Their contrasting personalities clashed to create a grudge match that massively delivered. In a fight that repeatedly turned, Eubank took advantage of Benn’s recklessness and stopped his great enemy in the ninth session. The pair would meet again three years later in another huge contest but the ferocity from their original contest was absent as they fought to a draw.
Joe Calzaghe vs. Jeff Lacy, 2006
Despite his lengthy reign as WBO champion, Joe Calzaghe failed to gain stateside acclaim the way he had achieved it in Britain. That all changed the night he faced Jeff Lacy. A 2000 Olympian, Lacy produced a menacing streak on his way to becoming IBF champion at 12st. Comparisons were made with Mike Tyson and he had huge backing from TV giant Showtime when taking on Calzaghe.
From the opening bell, Calzaghe looked better than ever and his frantic workrate from his notable southpaw stance ensured Lacy couldn’t position himself to get his power shots in play. This theme continued for the remainder of the fight as Calzaghe dominated from start to finish. Lacy was never the same whilst Calzaghe pushed on to add more impressive victories to his Hall of Fame record.
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns, 1989
Although nowhere near as exciting and dramatic as their classic 1980 meeting, Sugar Ray Leonard’s rematch with Thomas Hearns nine years later was an event that put the eyes of the world on the 12st division. Both fighters had seen better days but their profiles still soared as they prepared to renew old hostilities.
Hearns’ power, his ultimate strength, was still very much evident in this fight despite his advancing age and he turned the fight in his favour twice with two knockdowns of Leonard. With the fight closely fought throughout, it appeared that Leonard hitting the floor on multiple occasions but that wasn’t the case. After 12 rounds, the fight was scored a draw and one of boxing’s greatest rivalries was over.