The boxing world experienced a dynamic period in the early 2000s (2000-2005) that was characterized by legendary fights, emerging stars, and unforgettable moments that would forever change the course of the sport. Boxing legends from the 1990s like Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis were passing the baton to a new group of fighters as the millennium turned. A household name, boxers like Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao, and Oscar De La Hoya (and other) enthralled audiences everywhere with their talent, charisma, and compelling stories. The time period wasn’t just about particular fighters; it also featured iconic fights, changing promotional tactics, and a growing global fan base that paved the way for the sport’s future.
5. Erik Morales vs Marco Antonio Barrera 1 (2000)
Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera squared off in a fight for supremacy at super bantamweight, and the match would go down as one of the most exciting and memorable fights in boxing history. Throughout the fight, both competitors showed incredible heart, skill, and tenacity while exchanging vicious combinations and refusing to back down. Following twelve brutal rounds, Morales received a contentious split decision, paving the way for upcoming rematches in what would eventually develop into a legendary trilogy.
4. Micky Ward vs Emanuel Augustus Burton (2001)
Micky Ward and Emanuel Augustus Burton put on the Fight of the Year in 2021; a nonstop, action-packed fight that showed both fighters’ tenacity and heart. Heavy blows were traded back and forth between the two fighters, with Ward eventually winning via ninth-round TKO. Regardless of the result, both boxers were highly regarded for their performances, and the contest served as a testament to the sport’s spirit.
3. Micky Ward vs Arturo Gatti 1 (2002)
Micky Ward and Arturo Gatti created a war inside the ring in the opening act of their legendary trilogy that would live on in memory for decades. With Ward taking painful blows and Gatti fighting through a broken hand, both athletes showed incredible tenacity. Particularly the ninth round is frequently hailed as one of the best rounds in boxing history. Despite the fact that Ward won the fight by a wide margin, it cemented their respect for one another and prepared the ground for future fights.
2. Arturo Gatti vs Micky Ward 3 (2003)
Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward once again displayed their unbreakable spirits and warrior mentalities in the final fight of their epic trilogy. Despite the fact that both fighters had their moments of dominance, Gatti’s boxing prowess and adjustments from their previous fights were the difference-makers. Gatti was declared the winner by unanimous decision after ten exhausting rounds, but both boxers left the ring as living legends after providing fans with a trilogy to remember.
1. Jermain Taylor vs Bernard Hopkins 1 (2005)
The middleweight kingpin Bernard Hopkins faced off against the unbeaten Jermain Taylor in a battle of youth versus experience. Taylor’s youth and athleticism were obvious throughout the fight, but Hopkins’ cleverness and ring savvy kept it close. Taylor won a split decision after twelve rounds of strategic boxing, ending Hopkins’ lengthy reign as the undisputed middleweight champion.
Honorable Mention: Antonio Tarver vs Roy Jones Jr 2 (2004)
Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones Jr. squared off in a fiercely fought rematch following the first contest. But the fight would last a startlingly brief time. Jones was knocked out in the second round by a devastating left hand from Tarver, marking the first defeat by true knockout in Jones’ illustrious career. With this triumph, Tarver not only kept his light heavyweight championship but also cemented his legacy in the sport.
