Top 10 Best Usa Vs. Mexico Bouts- Espn Article
Mayweather already has a good number of Mexican fighters who fell victim to him: Jose Luis Castillo, Goyo Vargas, Jesus Chavez and even Juan Manual Marquez, while Alvarez has been gradually expanding his list of American victims, which includes Shane Mosley and Austin Trout.
In light of that, we take a look at the top fights from the rivalry ahead of Saturday's superfight.
10. Erik Morales-Junior Jones, Tijuana, Mexico, Sept. 12, 1998
Morales was just starting to shine as junior featherweight titlist when the 22 year-old boxer from Tijuana crushed "Poison" Jones in four rounds. The victory extended his reign and ended the run the American Jones had begun with consecutive victories over Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera.
9. Danny Garcia-Morales II, Brooklyn, N.Y., Oct. 20, 2012
The aging legend Morales was looking to recover the junior welterweight title from the young American Garcia, who had already beaten him in March 2012 in an exciting fight. But in the rematch, the idol of Philadelphia not only beat the 36-year-old again, he also knocked him out in the fourth round on what would be the swan song of "El Terrible" on American soil at the Barclays Center.
8. Shane Mosley-Antonio Margarito, Los Angeles, Jan. 24, 2009
It was expected that Margarito, who was fresh off his dethroning of Miguel Cotto, would reach the pinnacle of boxing when he faced Mosley for the welterweight title. However, before a full house at the Staples Center, the Californian knocked Margarito out in the ninth round and stripped him of his title, and not without first finding a concealed forbidden bandage under Margarito's hand wraps before the fight.
7. Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Jose Luis Castillo I, Las Vegas, April 20, 2002
What many remember from this night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena was a debated decision. Castillo had done enough in the eyes of some to beat the man then known as "Pretty Boy," but in the end the scorecards (116-111, 115-111, 115-111) gave the Mayweather the victory and the lightweight championship. The American went on to win the rematch, by an even tighter unanimous decision, eight months later.
6. Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.-Pernell Whitaker, San Antonio, Sept. 10, 1993
In his first attempt to win the welterweight title, the Mexican legend Chavez faced "Sweet Pea" Whitaker before 60,000 fans at the Alamodome. After the 12 rounds, the scorecards read 115-115, 115-115 and 115-113, which meant a majority draw that allowed Whitaker to keep the belt in a fight most felt he had won decisively.
5. Thomas Hearns-Pipino Cuevas, Detroit, Aug. 2, 1980
This date will be remembered as one of the greatest episodes of the "Hitman's" career as he crushed then welterweight titlist Jose "Pipino" Cuevas in two rounds at the Joe Louis Arena. Hearns made the Mexican bite the dust in dramatic fashion after only two episodes after a massive right hand.
4. Mayweather Jr.-Oscar De la Hoya, Las Vegas, May 5, 2007
In the most expensive fight in history, Mayweather defeated De La Hoya by split decision to take his junior middleweight title at the MGM Grand. Mayweather saved that night thanks to his boxing, although some thought that De La Hoya had done enough to keep it close in Mayweather's first fight at 154 pounds.
3. Michael Carbajal-Humbero Gonzalez I, Las Vegas, March 13, 1993
In one of the most shocking bouts in the history of the Mexican-American rivalry, Carbajal and Gonzalez became the first junior flyweight boxers to earn $1 million. That night at the Hilton Hotel, Carbajal stopped "La Chiquita" in seven rounds to unify titles.
2. Chavez-Meldrick Taylor I, Las Vegas, March 17, 1990
One of the greatest victories of Mexican boxing. Chavez was about to lose his undefeated record to Taylor, but with awesome persistence the Mexican gave all he had and knocked Taylor out just two seconds before the end of the fight, closing the deal and unifying the CMB and FIB super-lightweight titles at the Hilton Hotel.
1. Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo I, Las Vegas, May 7, 2005
Considered by many to be the best fight of this century, the late Corrales' dramatic 10th-round TKO of Castillo was undoubtedly the most exciting chapter between Mexican and American fighters. Corrales came back from two knockdowns in the 10th round to stop Castillo on his feet and unify the lightweight titles.
