Top 10 Super Middleweight fights in WBC history

World Boxing Council list their Top 10 168lbs world title fights

The Super Middleweight  division was introduced by The WBC in 1988 with the intention to bridge middle and light heavyweight as there was a 15 lbs gap between them.

Some very great  fights have taken place in this division over the years. A number of them are included in The “WBC OPUS 100 greatest fights.”

The division debut fight was a trail blazing classic between Sugar Ray Leonard and reigning light heavyweight champion Donny Lalonde. Both  titles were disputed in this fight.

Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Donny Lalonde

Las Vegas, NV, november 11 1988. Sugar Ray Leonard was knocked down in the fourth round and hurt several times during the fight. Donny Lalonde was much taller and stronger. He  seemed to be in control and en route to a sensational victory. Lalonde hurt Leonard in the ninth and as he was trying to finish the fight Sugar magnificently rallied  with an explosive attack, flooring Lalonde and then dramatically knocking him out to capture the Light Heavyweight  and first ever Super Middleweight championship.

Sugar Ray Leonard vs Tommy Hearns II

Las Vegas , NV, June 12 1989. This highly anticipated rematch was a thriller. Leonard was the champion and Hearns seemed to have faded from the stellar form he had when they first met at the welterweight limit. However, Hearns surprised the world,  giving Leonard one of the toughest and most intense fights of his career, knocking him down in the 4th and the 11th round. Leonard also had great moments with 10-8 rounds in the 5th and 10th. The fight resulted in a draw.

Nigel Benn vs Chris Eubank 

Manchester, England, October 9 1993. A battle between two Great Britons. This rematch more than lived up to the expectations and resulted in a dramatic action packed 12 rd draw.

Nigel Benn vs Gerald McLellan

London, England, February 25 1995. Gerald McLellan who was WBC reigning Middleweight champion and considered one of the best in the world after he had dethroned Julian Jackson, moved up in weight to challenger Nigel Benn. The fight was both dramatic and tragic. Benn was down and almost out in the very first round. But he fought back with ferocity,  toe to toe tenacity for ten savage rounds knocking down McLellan, who was unable to continue as he was critically injured. A very unfortunate accident had occurred, which has since affected and afflicted Gerald`s life ever since.  It has caused him serious long term and permanent health problems.

Thulane Malinga vs Nigel Benn

Newcastle England, March 2 1996. Benn was a heavy favorite making his 10th title defense but Malinga, inspired by the dissolution of Apartheid as Nelson Mandela was freed from jail, pulled one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, defeating Benn by unanimous decision and becoming the first WBC South African champion in the Mandela era ( WBC had previously banned south Africa from boxing  for 17 years until Apartheid was destroyed).

Joe Calzaghe vs Mikkel Kessler

Cardiff, Wales, November 3 2007. A fight between champions cheered on by a sell out crowd at the O2 Stadium turned to be a wonderful  demonstration of Calzaghe`s comprehensive domination of  Kessler, culminating in a 12 rd decision. Joe retired as one of the best pound for pound champions in the division and  sport of boxing .

Andre Ward vs Carl Froch

Atlantic City, USA, December 17 2011

Andre Ward unified titles with this masterfully skillful  performance,  dominating Carl Froch to win a 12 rd unanimous decision.

Badou Jack vs James DeGaele

Brooklyn, NY, USA, January 14 2017. Jack and DeGaele fought to a 12 rd draw in an action packed fight,  which many believed Jack won, as he  dominated the unification fight against the British star.

Anthony Direll vs Avni Yildirim 

Minneapolis, USA, February 23 2019.The WBC title was vacant and Direll was the heavy favorite over the relatively unknown Turkish fighter. The fight resulted in an outright war which unfortunately ended by a cut caused by an accidental clash of heads in  the 10th rd. Yildirim was coming strong, decisively winning  the previous 2 rounds as Dirrell seemed to be fading. The cut caused the fight to be stopped and Dirrell was awarded a split technical decision.

David Benavidez vs Anthony Direll

Los Angeles, USA, September 28 2019. Benavides was returning to the ring trying to recapture his WBC Green and Gold Belt  against champion Direll. It was a very good fight with alternating dominance until Benavidez took control, hurting  Direll who bravely fought back, in spite of a deep cut above his left eye. The Ring Doctor recommended that the Referee  stop the fight during the 9th round.  Benavidez became champion of the division, all over again!

HÖRFA are proud sponsors of Global Boxing News