The rematch eight months later might have been more memorable—with Tyson infamously bitting off part of Holyfield’s ear—but the actual fight between the heavyweight legends was much better the first time. Holyfield, as high as a 10-to-1 underdog, absorbed an early Tyson attack before methodically picking him apart the rest of the way and earning an 11th round TKO at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Runner-up: Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns (September 16, 1981)