Top 5 Obscure Fights EVERY Boxing Fan Needs To Watch
Two Unheralded Light Flyweights, A Collision Worthy Of The Lonsdale Belt, And Other Nail-Biting Boxing Matches You Might Never Have Heard Of
Boxing produces some spectacular moments. Most of which live amongst the common consciousness of every casual boxing fan. This list will not include your Hagler vs Hearns, or your Gatti vs Wards though. In this article, I take a look at 5 obscure fights that every fan of the sweet science should watch.
5. Sivenathi Nontshinga vs Hector Flores Calixto
This thrilling light flyweight fight took place in September of 2022. The two undefeated boxers faced off for the vacant world IBF 108lbs title. South African Nontshinga put down Flores in round 2 but the Mexican quickly recovered and by the beginning of round 4 was pushing Nontshinga back. The fight turned into a brutal war from the middle rounds with several exchanges raising the crowd from their seats. After a close fight in Mexico, the decision was expected to go Flores’ way due to home advantage but Nontshinga edged a split decision to claim the title.
4. Johnny Garton vs Gary Corcoran
Garton vs Corcoran sums up everything great about boxing in the UK. Two domestic rivals going to war for the Vacant British Welterweight title. The two fought at a brutal pace, landing huge shots at the Brentwood Centre in October of 2018. Both men were cut early in the bout. Garton eventually came out on top, with Corcoran deemed unable to continue mid-way through the 11th by referee Steve Gray.
3. Paul Samuels vs Cello Renda 1
On paper, many may have overlooked a fight between 19-7-2 Samuels and 18-7-1 Renda over 8 rounds, buried on the undercard of a Matthew Hatton IBO Title challenge. But this fight had just about all you can have inside a boxing ring. Multiple knockdowns, including a double knockdown in the 2nd. Samuels came out on top in the up-and-down affair, scoring a TKO3 victory.
2. Tommy Coyle vs Daniel Eduardo Brizuela
Coyle entered the ring, thinking about a Hull derby clash with Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell. Whether he overlooked Brizuela, or the Argentine was simply outstanding on the night, we will never know. It was a brutal war, with both men touching down 4 times each. Both men suffered cuts in the bout which produced a bloody mess on the canvas in the Ice Arena, Hull. Both men also were deducted points for various fouls in the bout which ended in a TKO11 win for Coyle.
1. Jose Zepeda vs Ivan Baranchyck
Two top 5 super lightweights were pitted against each other in October 2020. With the winner looking likely to challenge for a world title next. No one could have foreseen what we got that night. Both men touched down 4 times in the fight of the year contender. The only thing detracting from the night was the lack of crowd due to Covid restrictions. Zepeda eventually overcame the Belarusian, winning by knockout in the 5th.
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