Revenge: The Rematches

Last updated
Revenge: The Rematches
Revenge The Rematches.jpeg
DateMay 7, 1994
Venue MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.

Revenge: The Rematches was a boxing card that took place on May 7, 1994, when a quartet of rematch bouts took place at the MGM Grand in Paradise, Nevada. The Don King promoted event was one of the largest boxing pay-per-view events ever staged. It has been called the best pay-per-view card ever [1] and began the tradition of holding major boxing events featuring Mexican or Mexican-American fighters on the Cinco de Mayo weekend. [2]

Contents

The fights

Undercard

The card also included a WBC strawweight title bout between Kermin Guardia and Ricardo Lopez, which Lopez won by 12 round unanimous decision.

Nelson vs. Leija II

Azumah Nelson vs. Jesse James Leija II for the WBC super featherweight title (Leija won by unanimous decision in 12) [3]

Preceded by Azumah Nelson's bouts
7 May 1994
Succeeded by
Jesse James Leija's bouts
7 May 1994
Succeeded by

Brown vs. Norris II

Revenge: The Rematches: Simon Brown vs. Terry Norris II
Title(s) on the line WBC super welterweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Simon Brown Terry Norris
Nickname "Mantequilla" "Terrible"
Hometown May Pen, Middlesex, Jamaica Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
Pre-fight record 41–2 (30 KO) 37–4 (23 KO)
Age 30 years, 8 months 26 years, 10 months
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 154 lb (70 kg) 153 lb (69 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBC
Super Welterweight Champion
2-division world champion
WBC
No. 1 Ranked Super Welterweight
Result
Norris defeats Brown via unanimous decision

The second rematch saw Simon Brown face former champion Terry Norris for the WBC super welterweight title. [4]

Background

Going into their first fight in Dec 1993, Norris was viewed as one of the best pound for pound boxers in the world. However Brown would shock the champion, knocking him down with a jab in the first round before stopping him in the fourth round, upsetting plans for Norris to face Pernell Whitaker. Since then Brown had made one successful defence against Troy Waters before facing Norris again.

Norris would be highly critical of his performance in their first fight saying during the build up to the rematch that when reviewing the fight "What I see most of all is the points where I kept dropping my hands, letting him catch me with that right hand. Watching the fight now, that’s all I see me making all the mistakes and him capitalizing on them." He would also admit that he was no longer concerned by the pound for pound dissuasion saying "I don't care about that anymore. I was just saying I was the best because everyone else was saying it. Now, I just want to be the best I can to win my title back. Everybody was pumping me, saying I was the best pound-for-pound fighter, I was walking through fights, knocking guys out. I was in the invincible mode, which I'm not. I'm human. I was in a (Mike) Tyson mode, trying to knock my opponent out even though normally I'm not a knockout puncher, Simon Brown didn't beat me. I beat myself. He was just in the right place at the right time."

Brown meanwhile declined to declare himself one of the best in the world saying "I won't say like Terry did that I was the best, I'll let the public and writers decide. But I think I'm right there." He would also criticize Norris' comments that he beat himself saying "I never saw a guy complain as much as this guy. He's a crybaby. He's finding every excuse in the world to think he didn't lose that fight. I knocked him out." [5] [6]

The fight

In stark contrast to the first fight Norris would outbox Brown using a stick-and-move gameplan. In the 2nd round Norris hurt Brown early on with a straight left hand on the chin and followed it with three chopping right hands to the forehead. Brown would the rock the challenger in the 3rd with a right to the chin but Norris withstood the blow. Brown was sent against the ropes by a big left hook in the 4th. As the fight progressed a frustrated Brown would unsuccessfully goad Norris into overcommitting but the challenger remained disciplined.

At the end of 12 round Norris was awarded a unanimous decision victory with scores of 119–109, 117–111 and 116–112. [7]

Aftermath

Speaking after the bout a victorious Norris said "I thought the difference was I was able to move, I boxed superbly. I think I surprised Simon Brown more than anybody by my ability to box, and I’m pleased with my performance.”

A defeated Brown meanwhile said "He outmoved me and he outboxed me. He moved a lot. I expected that, but he just wouldn’t stand still at all." [8]

Preceded by Simon Brown's bouts
7 May 1994
Succeeded by
vs. Nestor Maciel
Preceded by
vs. Armando Campas
Terry Norris's bouts
7 May 1994
Succeeded by

McClellan vs. Jackson II

Revenge: The Rematches: Gerald McClellan vs. Julian Jackson II
Title(s) on the line WBC middleweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Gerald McClellan Julian Jackson
Nickname "The G-Man" "The Hawk"
Hometown Freeport, Illinois, U.S. Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Pre-fight record 30–2 (28 KO) 49–2 (45 KO)
Age 26 years, 6 months 33 years, 7 months
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 160 lb (73 kg) 160 lb (73 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBC
Middleweight Champion
WBC
No. 2 Ranked Middleweight
2-division world champion
Result
McClellan defeated Jackson by 1st round KO

The penultimate bout on the card, saw WBC middleweight champion Gerald McClellan face former champion Julian Jackson. [9]

Background

The pair had faced off almost exactly a year earlier, with McClellan stopping the favoured Jackson in the fifth round. Since then McClellan had made two defences, both ending in 1st-round knockouts. Since his last bout he had parted from his long-term trainer Emanuel Steward and had replaced him with Willie Brown.

After initially weighing in 1/4 lb over the 160 lb middleweight limit, before returning an hour later at the limit, McClellan stated that this would be his last fight at middleweight.

Speaking before the bout McClellan staked his claim to the pound from pound number one status by saying "I look at myself as the best fighter in the world. This is going to be the fight where I make my name. This will be the best performance I have ever given." [6]

The fight

Shortly after the opening bell McClellan landed an early strong jab to the chin and followed with a straight right that sent Jackson staggering. McClellan followed up with a furious barrage of punches, with Jackson barely able to respond. Eventually Jackson fell into the ropes prompting an 8 count from referee Joe Cortez. Jackson attempted to fight back but McClellan soon sent Jackson down again and this time he did not beat the count, ending the bout after only 83 seconds.

Aftermath

In his interview after the bout McClellan said "What separates me from the rest is that I'm mean. When Gerald McClellan gets a fighter hurt and in trouble, he's dead." [10]

In January it was announced that McClellan move up to super middleweight to challenge WBC champion Nigel Benn. [11] Shortly after, he vacated his belt.

Preceded by
vs. Gilbert Baptist
Gerald McClellan's bouts
7 May 1994
Succeeded by
Preceded by
vs. Eduardo Ayala
Julian Jackson's bouts
7 May 1994
Succeeded by
vs. Luis Buitron

Randall vs. Chávez II

Frankie Randall vs. Julio César Chávez II for the WBC super lightweight title (Chavez won by technical decision in 8)

Aftermath

The event was named Ring Magazine event of the year for 1994.

Full card

Confirmed bouts: [12]

WinnerLoserWeight division/title belt(s) disputedResult
Flag of Mexico.svg Julio César Chávez Flag of the United States.svg Frankie Randall WBC World Super Lightweight title8th round TD-S
Flag of the United States.svg Gerald McClellan Flag of the United States Virgin Islands.svg Julian Jackson WBC World Middleweight title1st round KO
Flag of the United States.svg Terry Norris Flag of Jamaica.svg Simon Brown WBC World Super Welterweight titleUnanimous decision
Flag of the United States.svg Jesse James Leija Flag of Ghana.svg Azumah Nelson WBC World Super Featherweight titleUnanimous decision
Flag of Mexico.svg Ricardo López Flag of Colombia.svg Kermin Guardia WBC World Strawweight titleUnanimous decision
Preliminary bouts
Flag of the United States.svg Christy Martin Flag of Mexico.svg Laura Serrano Lightwweight (6 rounds)Unanimous Draw
Flag of the United States.svg Meldrick Taylor Flag of the United States.svg Chad BroussardWelterweight (10 rounds)2nd round KO
Flag of Italy.svg Giovanni Parisi Flag of the United States.svg Richie HessLight welterweight (10 rounds)2nd round KO
Flag of the United States.svg Calvin Grove Flag of Mexico.svg Ángel AldamaLightweight (8 rounds)Unanimous decision
Flag of the United States.svg James Stanton Flag of the United States.svg Anthony WillisHeavyweight (8 rounds)Unanimous decision

Broadcasting

CountryBroadcaster
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Showtime

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julio César Chávez</span> Mexican boxer (born 1962)

Julio César Chávez González, also known as Julio César Chávez Sr., is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 2005. A multiple-time world champion in three weight divisions, Chávez was listed by The Ring magazine as the world's best boxer, pound for pound, from 1990 to 1993. During his career he held the WBC super featherweight title from 1984 to 1987, the WBA and WBC lightweight titles between 1987 and 1989, the WBC light welterweight title twice between 1989 and 1996, and the IBF light welterweight title from 1990 to 1991. He also held the Ring magazine and lineal lightweight titles from 1988 to 1989, and the lineal light welterweight title twice between 1990 and 1996. Chávez was named Fighter of the Year for 1987 and 1990 by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring respectively.

Nigel Gregory Benn is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1987 to 1996. He held world titles in two weight classes, including the WBO middleweight title in 1990 and the WBC super-middleweight title from 1992 to 1996. At the regional level, he held the Commonwealth middleweight title from 1988 to 1989. He scored wins over Champions Doug DeWitt, Iran Barkley, Thulani Malinga, Mauro Galvano and Gerald McClellan.

Julian Jackson is a former professional boxer from the U.S. Virgin Islands who competed from 1981 to 1998. He is a three-time world champion in two weight classes, having held the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title from 1987 to 1990, and the World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight title twice between 1990 and 1995. Possessing formidable punching power, with a knockout-to-win rate of 89%, Jackson is regarded by many as one of the hardest punchers in boxing history, pound for pound, and was ranked number 25 by The Ring magazine in a 2003 list of the "100 Greatest Punchers". Jackson was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019.

Meldrick Taylor is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2002. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the IBF junior welterweight title from 1988 to 1990, and the WBA welterweight title from 1991 to 1992. As an amateur, Taylor won a gold medal in the featherweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Terry Wayne Norris is an American former boxer, prizefighter and a three time world champion in the light-middleweight (super-welterweight) division. Originally from Lubbock, Texas, he fought out of San Diego.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julio César Chávez Jr.</span> Mexican boxer (born 1986)

Julio César Chávez Carrasco, better known as Julio César Chávez Jr., is a Mexican professional boxer who held the WBC middleweight title from 2011 to 2012. He is the son of former three-division world champion of boxing, Julio César Chávez, and older brother of Omar Chávez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Dawson</span> American boxer

Chad Dawson is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2019. He held multiple world championships at light heavyweight, and was one of the most highly regarded boxers in that weight class between 2006 and 2013.

Simon Brown is a Jamaican former professional boxer. Known as "Mantequilla", a name given to him by his famous trainer Jose 'Pepe' Correa, Brown was two-weight world champion in the welterweight and light-middleweight divisions, and at one point considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canelo Álvarez</span> Mexican boxer (born 1990)

Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán, commonly known as Canelo or Saúl Álvarez, is a Mexican professional boxer. He has held multiple world championships in four weight classes, from light middleweight to light heavyweight, including unified titles in three of those weight classes and lineal titles in two. In 2021, Álvarez became the first and only boxer in history to become the undisputed champion at super middleweight, holding this distinction until July 2024. He has also held the Ring magazine super middleweight title since 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Tyson vs. Peter McNeeley</span> Boxing competition

Mike Tyson vs. Peter McNeeley, billed as He's Back, was a professional boxing match contested on August 19, 1995. The match marked the return of Mike Tyson to professional boxing after over four years away due to his 1991 arrest and subsequent conviction for rape in 1992 which led to Tyson serving three years in prison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Tyson vs. Buster Mathis Jr.</span> Boxing match

Mike Tyson vs. Buster Mathis Jr., billed as Presumption of Innocence, was a professional boxing match contested on December 16, 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lennox Lewis vs. Tony Tucker</span> Boxing competition

Lennox Lewis vs. Tony Tucker, billed as Star Spangled Glory, was a heavyweight professional boxing match contested between WBC champion Lennox Lewis and the WBC's number one ranked contender Tony Tucker. The bout took place on May 8, 1993 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lewis retained his WBC title via unanimous decision.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oliver McCall vs. Larry Holmes</span> Boxing competition, April 1995

Oliver McCall vs. Larry Holmes, billed as "Burden of Proof", was a professional boxing match contested on April 8, 1995 for the WBC Heavyweight Championship. The undercard included world championship bouts in four other categories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin</span> 2017 professional boxing match

Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin, billed as Supremacy, was a professional boxing match contested for the unified WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, IBO, Ring magazine, and lineal middleweight championship. The bout was on September 16, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip. It was televised on HBO pay-per-view in the United States, on BoxNation Box Office in the United Kingdom, and on Space in Latin America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigel Benn vs. Chris Eubank II</span> Boxing match

Nigel Benn vs. Chris Eubank II, billed as Judgement Day, was a professional boxing match contested on 9 October 1993, for the WBC and WBO super middleweight championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy McGirt vs. Pernell Whitaker</span> Boxing match

Buddy McGirt vs. Pernell Whitaker, billed as Pound for Pound: Who's Number One?, was a professional boxing match contested on March 6, 1993, for the WBC welterweight title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julio César Chávez vs. Meldrick Taylor II</span> Boxing match

Julio César Chávez vs. Meldrick Taylor II, billed as Unfinished Business, was a professional boxing match contested on September 17, 1994, for the WBC super lightweight title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julio César Chávez vs. Frankie Randall</span> Boxing match

Julio César Chávez vs. Frankie Randall was a professional boxing match contested on January 29, 1994, for the WBC super lightweight title. The fight was the featured bout on a Don King-promoted boxing card dubbed the Super Grand Slam of Boxing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frankie Randall vs. Julio César Chávez II</span> Boxing match

Frankie Randall vs. Julio César Chávez II was a professional boxing match contested on May 7, 1994, for the WBC super lightweight title. The fight was the featured bout on a boxing card promoted by Don King dubbed the Revenge: The Rematches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julio César Chávez vs. Greg Haugen</span> Boxing match

Julio César Chávez vs. Greg Haugen was a professional boxing match contested on February 20, 1993, for the WBC super lightweight title. The fight was the featured bout on a boxing card promoted by Don King dubbed The Grand Slam of Boxing.

References

  1. Kim, Steve (2020-09-22). "Ringside Seat: Charlo brothers highlight a week loaded with intriguing fights". ESPN.com. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  2. Wainwright, Anson (2018-05-01). "Cinco de Mayo: A boxing history". The Ring. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  3. "Azumah Nelson vs. Jesse James Leija (2nd meeting)". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  4. "Simon Brown vs. Terry Norris (2nd meeting)". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  5. Tim Kawakami (30 April 1994). "BOXING / TIM KAWAKAMI : Norris Promises He Will Return to Old Style in Brown Rematch". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Norris seeks to win WBC title back from Brown". Record-Journal. Las Vegas. Associated Press. 7 May 1994. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  7. Rick Weinberg (8 May 1994). "BOXING; Norris Gets His Revenge: Regains Title and Rubs It In". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  8. Tim Kawakami (8 May 1994). "Norris Takes Title From Brown : Boxing: McLellan stops Jackson in first. Leija ends Nelson's reign with unanimous decision". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  9. "Gerald McClellan vs. Julian Jackson (2nd meeting)". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  10. Ken Peters (9 May 1994). "Chavez, Randall May Meet Again Fight Stopped Early By Head Butt". The Free Lance-Star. Las Vegas. Associated Press. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  11. "McClellan moves up to face Benn". New Sunday Times. London. 5 January 1995. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  12. "BoxRec - event".
Awards
Previous:
The Fan Man at Bowe-Holyfield II
The Ring Event of the Year
1994
Next:
Mike Tyson's return