It’s already been 30 years since one of the best fights of the 90s took place. Before Barrera’s epic trilogy bouts with Erik Morales he had one other fight that was just as exciting which was against Kennedy McKinney. A 12 round slugfest from start to finish that would ultimately propel the young Barrera’s ATG career. This fight took place in the same year as the more famous Tyson vs Holyfield 1 bout which was considered FOTY for 1996 but IMO this was an even better match from that year.
Technically this was a better fight that Tyson-Holy 1, but it was only natural that the former was gonna get FOTY. It was a dramatic, violent fight that was years and years in the making, and it ended with one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Because the rematch ended in disgrace, I think people tend to forget how fast-paced and exciting the first fight was. Better than any sloppy bullshit the heavyweights of today produce. Holy and Tyson actually know how to fight, which is more than I can say for today's heavyweight lot. Barrera, who was a huge favorite over McKinney, ultimately doing what he was supposed to do, was not the same level of drama and suspense. Tyson-Holy 1 was accurate for 96 FOTY imo.
I don't necessarily disagree, because the fight was huge, the result shocking, and the finish was absolutely superb. I just find Tyson-Holy I doesn't have the same rewatch value now. Just too much clinching (and not all initiated by Holyfield, contrary to the majority of retrospectives of that bout), Tyson just couldn't sustain any combination punching. I get though that at the time there was always the threat of the one-punch finish which kept things on tenterhooks.
I agree with you. MAB-McKinney is more re-watchable. I'm a Tyson fan, I dont watch Mike's losses often.
Holyfield-Tyson 1 was a great event/upset and good fight, but I prefer other fights in 96’ like Barrera-McKinney, Liles-Littles 2, Kelley-Gainer 1, Gatti-Rodriguez and Bowe-Golota 2. Although I was legit worried when watching it that Bowe would die in the ring. I remember having this eerie feeling about it.
