For boxing lovers, watching videos of great fights from the past is the perfect way to rescue a boring afternoon. But if you’re tired of the usual bouts you’ve seen over and over, Boxe Punch has put together an alternative list of sensational fights that aren’t well known to the general public. These underrated gems offer high-quality boxing and the chance to discover fearless warriors you might not know. Here are 15 “hidden gems,” listed in chronological order and all easily available on YouTube. Enjoy the show!
Chartchai Chionoi vs Efren Torres I (1968)
Even if you usually only follow the heavier weight classes, give these “little guys” a chance: the WBC flyweight world title clash between Thai champion Chionoi and Mexican challenger Torres has nothing to envy from the best heavyweight wars.
Koichi Wajima vs Oscar Albarado I (1974)
One of the greatest fights ever held in Japan, this WBC and WBA light middleweight world title bout kept fans glued to their seats for 15 intense rounds. With a constantly shifting momentum and a thrilling finish, what more could you ask for?
Alfonso Zamora vs Alberto Sandoval (1978)
When Sandoval welcomed Zamora to his home turf in Los Angeles, he was the WBA’s number one bantamweight contender and likely expected a softened opponent, coming off stoppage losses to Zarate and Lujan. But fireworks erupted in the ring!
Kelvin Seabrooks vs Thierry Jacob (1987)
The first round alone of this fight in France was worth the price of admission: the hometown fighter was knocked down early but came back to score two knockdowns of his own. This IBF bantamweight title bout kept delivering twists until the very end.
Dennis Andries vs Jeff Harding I (1989)
Harding was the unknown man, having fought all his previous bouts in his native Australia. WBC light heavyweight champion Andries had no idea what to expect—and quickly found himself in the middle of an all-out war in the ring.
Akinobu Hiranaka vs Morris East (1992)
When Japanese puncher Hiranaka stepped into the ring, fans could always expect fireworks. That night, he faced Filipino challenger Morris East for the WBA super lightweight title. East didn’t have a stellar record but brought immense determination—and the result was a barnburner with an unforgettable ending!
Welcome Ncita vs Kennedy McKinney I (1992)
It may sound unbelievable today, but there was a time when world-class fights were regularly staged in Italy. This thrilling IBF super bantamweight title bout between South African champion Ncita and American challenger McKinney took place in Tortolì and left Italian fans buzzing with excitement.
Merqui Sosa vs Charles Williams I (1995)
One of the most fearsome punchers of the 1990s, Dominican Merqui Sosa met his match in American Charles Williams, as they battled for the NABF light heavyweight title. The fight was so brutal that the referee was forced to make a shocking and unprecedented decision…
Humberto Gonzalez vs Saman Sorjaturong (1995)
The final bout of the relentless “Chiquita” Gonzalez’s career was as thrilling as many of his previous ones. The WBC and IBF light flyweight titles were on the line against Thailand’s Sorjaturong, and both fighters honored the occasion with multiple knockdowns and nonstop drama.
Arturo Gatti vs Wilson Rodriguez (1996)
Arturo “Thunder” Gatti is best known for his legendary trilogy with Micky Ward, but he fought many other unforgettable wars in his career. One of them was his first defense of the IBF super featherweight title against Dominican slugger Wilson Rodriguez—pure action from start to finish.
Julio Cesar Gonzalez vs Julian Letterlough (2001)
“Mr. KO” Letterlough had a short but explosive career, tragically cut short when he was shot and killed at the age of 35. Known for his sledgehammer fists, he went toe-to-toe with the relentless Mexican Gonzalez in a wild brawl that featured no fewer than five knockdowns.
Mahyar Monshipour vs Somsak Sithchatchawal (2006)
French fighter Monshipour earned the nickname “Little Tyson” for his aggressive and all-action style. When he defended his WBA super bantamweight title against Thailand’s Sithchatchawal, the clash of styles produced an insane fight, widely regarded as one of the best of the decade.
Lamon Brewster vs Siarhei Liakhovich (2006)
Brewster is most famous for knocking out Wladimir Klitschko in 2004, but perhaps his most dramatic performance came two years later, in his WBO heavyweight title defense. That night, Belarusian challenger Liakhovich dragged him into an unforgettable 12-round war.
Ricardo Cordoba vs Bernard Dunne (2009)
Can a fighter with a fragile chin hold his own against a world-class champion? Yes—if that man is Irish. Backed by a raucous crowd in Dublin, Bernard Dunne challenged Cordoba for the WBA super bantamweight title in an all-action thriller full of heart and drama.
Jesus Soto Karass vs Neeco Macias (2018)
A total of 3,353 punches thrown over 10 rounds, with only 28 of them being jabs. These outrageous stats sum up a throwback slugfest fought at a relentless, old-school pace. It was the final war of Soto Karass’s never-say-die career—a fitting farewell for one of boxing’s most generous warriors.