Five Greatest Fights in Three Rounds or Less

Greatest Short Boxing Fights That Wowed Fans

Greatest Short Boxing Fights: Marvin Hagler vs Thomas Hearns

On April 15, 1985 at Caesars Palace, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns treated us, to what is considered by many the greatest three rounds in boxing history. Hearns started the faster, landing a huge right hand in the opening round, breaking it in the process.

A huge cut on Hagler’s forehead almost caused the fight to be stopped. “The Hitman” couldn’t capitalise on that early success, with Hagler rallying and knocking Hearns down. A massive right hand and two uppercuts sent Hearns crashing to the canvas. He scrambled to his feet but referee Richard Steele ultimately waved the fight off. A truly memorable war that the boxing world will relive for many generations to come.

Thomas Hearns vs. Roberto Durán

At Caesars Palace, Las Vegas on June 15, 1984, Thomas Hearns vs. Roberto Durán took place for the WBC and The Ring super welterweight titles. Hearns boxed diligently from the first bell using his height and reach advantage to keep Durán at bay, landing a beautifully timed left hook, causing a cut in the first round. “The Hitman” continued the dominance of the first round, dropping Durán with 30 seconds left in the opening round.

A further knockdown occurred when Hearns unloaded a barrage of punches. Despite the bell saving Durán, he couldn’t be saved from the inevitable as Hearns landed a series of vicious combinations, knocking his opponent down with the referee waving the fight off. “The Hitman” successfully got his target in style.

George Foreman vs. Ken Norton

George Foreman vs. Ken Norton met on March 26, 1974, for the undisputed heavyweight championship at Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela. Despite a fairly even opening round, “Big George” soon began to dominate with heavy combination punching, overwhelming Norton.

Foreman scored three knockdowns in the second round, with referee Jimmy Rondeau waving the fight off. A dominating second-round TKO victory for “Big George.”

Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman

Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman took place on January 22, 1973, at the National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica for the WBA, WBC and The Ring heavyweight championships. It was a brutal beatdown from Foreman who dominated Frazier, scoring a staggering six knockdowns.

The sheer power of “Big George” was too much for “Smokin'” Joe who somehow made it through the first round. Three more knockdowns occurred in the second, with Foreman constantly finding a home for his hammer right hand. Following the sixth knockdown, the referee Arthur Mercante, Sr. called a halt to proceedings, crowning Foreman the winner. A brutal efficient showing from “Big George.”

Mike McCallum vs Julian Jackson

On August 23, 1986, at the Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL, the silky Mike McCallum faced the ferocious puncher Julian Jackson, who started like an express train, hurting McCallum on more than one occasion in that first round.

Despite being obviously shaken, McCallum remained calm and punched accurately between the attacks from Jackson. McCallum turned the fight on its head in the second round, showing his class as he mixed his attacks brilliantly between the head and body of his opponent. A knockdown soon occurred, with McCallum subsequently launching a brutal assault, which forced the referee to jump in and save Jacson from further punishment. A classy performance from McCallum who retained his WBA super welterweight title.