The 18 Best Boxing Matches of the 2000s

Brutal trilogies, mega-money superfights and a few upsets that still get replayed. Some are technical masterclasses, others are pure chaos.

1. 1
   Gatti vs. Ward I

   A 2002 junior welterweight brawl in Uncasville whose ninth round is often called the best round in boxing history.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Pacquiao vs. Marquez II

   The 2008 rematch was another close super featherweight contest decided by a single knockdown in round three.
   657pts
3. 3
   Mayweather vs. De La Hoya

   The 2007 super welterweight title bout became the biggest pay-per-view event in boxing history at that time.
   635pts
4. 4
   Gatti vs. Ward III

   The 2003 finale of the trilogy produced another bloody slugfest, with Gatti taking a decision after a knockdown scare.
   603pts
5. 5
   Vargas vs. Trinidad

   A 2000 junior middleweight unification fight with knockdowns on both sides and a twelfth-round stoppage for Trinidad.
   586pts
6. 6
   Hopkins vs. De La Hoya

   A 2004 middleweight unification bout that ended with a left hook to the body for a ninth-round knockout.
   532pts
7. 7
   Pacquiao vs. Hatton

   In 2009 Pacquiao ended Ricky Hatton's challenge with a devastating second-round left hand in front of a loud Las Vegas crowd.
   532pts
8. 8
   Lewis vs. Tyson

   The 2002 heavyweight title fight in Memphis ended with Lewis stopping a fading Tyson in the eighth round.
   469pts
9. 9
   Gatti vs. Ward II

   The 2002 rematch in Atlantic City saw Gatti outbox a hurt Ward over ten rounds to win a unanimous decision.
   397pts
10. 10
    Pacquiao vs. Marquez I

    A 2004 featherweight title fight in which Pacquiao floored Marquez three times in the first round yet only earned a draw.
    313pts
11. 11
    Mayweather vs. Hatton

    A 2007 welterweight unification fight where an unbeaten Mayweather stopped the loud, fan-backed Hatton in the tenth round.
    313pts
12. 12
    Hopkins vs. Trinidad

    A 2001 middleweight unification showdown where Hopkins dominated Trinidad and stopped him in the twelfth round.
    313pts
13. 13
    Lewis vs. Klitschko

    A 2003 heavyweight bout stopped on cuts after six rounds, with Klitschko trailing on the cards in a surprisingly competitive fight.
    313pts
14. 14
    Pacquiao vs. Cotto

    A late-2009 welterweight title fight that Pacquiao won by technical knockout in the twelfth round against a game Miguel Cotto.
    313pts
15. 15
    Pacquiao vs. Barrera

    A 2003 clash in San Antonio where Pacquiao stopped the Mexican great in the eleventh round and broke through internationally.
    213pts
16. 16
    Jones vs. Tarver I

    A 2004 light heavyweight title fight that ended with Tarver knocking Roy Jones out in the second round.
    213pts
17. 17
    Calzaghe vs. Hopkins

    A 2008 light heavyweight match in Las Vegas in which Calzaghe's volume punching earned a split decision over the veteran.
    0pts
18. 18
    Cotto vs. Margarito

    A 2008 welterweight title fight in which Margarito's relentless pressure wore down Cotto and forced a stoppage in the eleventh round.
    0pts

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