We are but a few days away from the Cinco de Mayo Celebration crescendo, starring Saúl “Canelo” Alvarez, returning after more than a decade away, to fight in Jalisco, at the Akron stadium, in his place in front of his very own people!
The way to experience a fight in a stadium or in a bullring is curious, as the vibe is diversely different, the sensation produced by a throng of people in the stands, singing and roaring and willing their hero on, in order to excel, is indescribably and indestructibly a potent potion of magic mixed with the essence of coursing adrenaline.
That is why we have conjured up especially for you, a Wizard of Oz list of fights that have been held in stadiums, enticing, enthralling, captivating and creating fables worthy of Aesop.
Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling
Yankee Stadium, The Bronx 1938
The old New York Yankee Stadium hosted one of the most epic and dramatic fights in boxing. Considered by many experts to be the most important boxing match of the 20th century. Schmeling and Louis faced each other for the second time, just a few months before the outbreak of the Second World War, with very different ideologies behind their respective followers. And with a packed stadium with more than 70,000 attendees, yet curiously, there was never any animosity between the protagonists, who then became lifelong friends. Quality, impeccable behavior from classy men.
Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Greg Haugen
Azteca Stadium, CDMX 1993
WBC Super Lightweight Championship
The great Mexican champion briskly stepped on to Aztec soil with a spring in his step and his fists, to fight against audacious and occasionally impudent Greg Haugen. Haugen. Greg had conducted a very aggressive, impertinent promotion against Chávez and the Mexican people; therefore, Julio César Chávez took it very personally and sentenced Haugen in each brief encounter, baton style…ominously warning him: “I’m going to knock you out” “I’m going to rip your head off” More than 130,000 fans gathered at the Colossus of Santa Úrsula, eager to see Chávez seek, find and overwhelm Greg Haugen unleashing a tidal wave of irresistible punches. He took him to task and went to town on him!
Sergio Martinez vs. Martin Murray
José Amalfitani Stadium (Club Atletico Velez Sarsfield) Buenos Aires 2013
WBC Middleweight Championship
If a boxing match is lived and breathed differently in each given stadium, I can say that Argentina and England have brought this to a Cerberus head. “Maravilla” Martínez defended his WBC middleweight title against Martin Murray. Flint Vs Mint? The fans roared and sang songs in the purest soccer style, with an attendance of about fifty thousand fans chanting: Argentina! Argentina!
Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito
Cowboys Stadium Arlington 2010
WBC Super Welterweight Championship
Watching Pacquiao at work in his heyday was like witnessing straw spun into pure gold! A prime Manny was primed like a powder keg for Antonio Margarito. “Pacman” pacing himself. The Cowboys stadium pointedly spurred on by its giant screen, which was more ample than any sweep of a Stetson or ten gallon hat, putting all others in the shade. This forever remembered fight garnered an attendance of 41,734.
Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Miguel Angel Gonzalez
Ricardo “Finito” López vs. Rosando Álvarez
Bullring Mexico 1998
WBC Strawweight Championship
WBC Super Lightweight Championship
There are a significant number of legendary fights that took place in this hallowed venue: Ricardo “Finito” López vs. Rosando Álvarez, in the Plaza de Toros México was crammed, brimming and overflowing with an excited crowd, at almost fever pitch, as not only was the undefeated Mexican jealously defending his world championship against Rosendo Álvarez, a world champion in his own right. They also generously shared the card that night, with the great Mexican champion Julio Cesar Chávez facing “Mago” González for the WBC super lightweight title. A booming boxing bonanza!
Curiously and coincidentally, the last time we saw Saul Álvarez in action on Mexican turf. It was at this very venue: The Mexico City Bullring, when he: “Locked horns” with Kermit Cintron. Almost blood in the sand? A near goring, which was anything apart from boring!
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