To put Tyson Fury's thrilling victory over Deontay wilder at the weekend into perspective, when it comes to the greatest heavyweight bouts it would be like comparing one molehill with another.
Although it was thrilling, dramatic and entertaining, the context must be considered.
Joe Frazier slaps Muhammad Ali during their 1971 clash
I was fortunate enough to be ringside at three of the five best - and three that I believe were historical.
1. Muhammad Ali-Smokin' Joe Frazier, March 8, 1971, New York
This was the first fight between two unbeaten fighters for the world title of heavyweight. Due to the excitement generated by the crowd at Madison Square Garden, two people died from heart attacks just before the bell rang.
It was billed as The Fight of The Century, and it delivered. We were treated with 15 thrilling rounds of non-stop action.
Ali, who had been exiled for three years, found Frazier’s constant two-handed attack starting at the first bell and ending at the last too overwhelming.
Joe's left hook knocked him down in the 15th round. He was only narrowly beaten on points.
Both men were admitted to hospital. Frazier was unable to walk for six weeks after Ali sustained a fractured jaw.
2. Muhammad Ali-Smokin Joe Frazier, October 1, 1975, Manila
It was known as the Thrilla in Manila, and it proved to be the most brutal heavyweight fight ever.
The men had both suffered significant injuries from their previous clash four years prior, and they couldn't resist each other's punches.
They practically traded blows in the arena's suffocating heat.
They were exhausted by the end of the 14th round, but Frazier's left eye was closed under a mound o' bruised flesh.
Eddie Futch, his great trainer, looked at him as he sat down on his stool and said, "It's over."
"But no one will ever forget what happened here today."
Futch called Carlos Padilla, referee, to inform him that Frazier had not been listening.
Ali's comment, "That's the closest I've ever come to dying" explains everything.
3. Riddick Bowe-Evander Holyfield, November 13, 1992, Las Vegas
Evander Holyfield, a fighter who combines technical skill with guts and determination that will never be defeated, is it?
He will always be remembered for his first clash with Riddick bowe in a series of three. They were a perfect match in skill and courage, and the action was never dull.
We didn't know it was going to be the most memorable three minutes of heavyweight history when they came out for their tenth.
Bowe attacked Holyfield with sledgehammer blows, slamming his head and body. Holyfield was shaking all over the ring, and he was swaying like he was in gale force wind. But he refused to give up.
Holyfield was subject to a sustained, two-handed attack for several minutes. But, he managed to find strength and counter-attack with such fervor that Bowe was left hanging on for dear death until the bell rang.
Bowe won unanimously, but one of my American colleagues spoke on our behalf when he said "The heart and Holyfield." There are no words to describe it.
4 George Foreman-Muhammad Ali, October 29, 1974, Kinshasa, Zaire
Ali was a challenger to George Foreman, a fearsome puncher unbeaten in the Rumble In the Jungle. There was a lot of concern about Ali's safety.
Ali was not only denied a chance to regain his world title, but there were also real concerns that he might end up in hospital or worse.
Ali, who used his brains to fight, devised a battle strategy that nearly demoralized Foreman.
Ali called it "rope a-dope". It would have been impossible for someone as courageous as Ali to think of it and even attempt it.
He stood with his back against the ropes and allowed Foreman to hit him until he was unconscious.
Foreman was exhausted by the eighth round. Ali had hit him with a left/right combination to his head. His resistance was gone and Foreman crashed to the ground to be counted out.
Ali won his 32nd crown against all odds to win one of the greatest victories ever recorded.
5. Mike Tyson-Buster Douglas. February 2, 1990, Tokyo
Mike Tyson, the Baddest Man on the Planet and the Unbeaten Baddest Man on the Planet, was fighting for the title against a man who had a 42-1 chance to beat him.
Douglas was interviewed in his hotel room two days prior to the fight. He stated that he would KO Iron Mike in honor of his mother, who had died three weeks earlier. This statement caused much laughter among the media.
Tyson was having marital issues and hadn't been training properly because he believed he would win easily over Douglas.
Buster was knocked out by Tyson in the eighth Tyson. However, he was out-boxed by a determined challenger.
It was hard to believe that Douglas began to demolish him.
He bludgeoned Tyson to death in the tenth.
He was not going to beat the count. Mike tried desperately to get his gumshield back in place as the referee tolled the seconds.
Douglas became the new champion, causing world-wide shock with the biggest upset in heavyweight history.
6 Tyson Fury - Deontay Wilder October 9, 2021 in Las Vegas
Fury was expected back to win his victory over Wilder, but it was not easy. He had to get up from the ground twice after being knocked down in the fourth.
After having floored Wilder twice, the Gypsy King knocked Wilder out in the 11th. It was a stunning yo-yo fight that you won't want to miss.
It was a thrilling war and one that will be remembered by all who witnessed it.
It was memorable for me but it falls short of the top five due to Wilder's poor quality. Wilder's right hand is terrifying, but he fights like an amateur.
From the sixth round, it was very one-sided. Wilder's corner, or the referee, should have pulled Wilder out in round 9. He was on his knees and receiving a severe beating.
Fury did the right thing and did it well. Fury was able to overcome the weak opposition.
