When certain fights are announced, they can immediately gain the interest of fans all over the world. The problem with this “hype” is that these fights often don’t live up to what fans were expecting or wanting out of it, leaving them disappointed. Here are five of the most overhyped fights of all time, including both Boxing and MMA fights.
1. Lennox Lewis vs. Evander Holyfield
(source: youtube.com)
This was a huge match-up at Madison Square Garden between two legendary champions in the sport of boxing. The entire combat sports world was watching. Holyfield added fuel to the fire during fight week by walking around and tell everyone who would listen that he was going to knock out Lewis in dramatic fashion. However, when it came to fight time, Holyfield didn’t do much of anything this fight, and Lewis wasn’t much better. And in addition to the fight not living up to the pre-fight hype, the fight was scored a draw, which was horrible as it was hard to find even a round that Holyfield won.
2. Hector Lombard vs. Tim Boetsch
(source: mmaoddsbreaker.com)
Hector Lombard was one of the most highly anticipated UFC signings in recent history. He was an unbelievable physical spectacle with brutal knockout power. He was brought to the UFC on a six figure contract and was touted as the next big thing. When it was announced that he was going up against the extremely tough Tim Boetsch, fans were loving the matchmaking as it pitted an unstoppable force vs. an immovable object. As it turns out, the fight was horrible as both men were overly cautious which led to a lackluster bout that failed to live up to the hype. To add to the disappointment, Lombard ended up losing a split decision in the fight.
3. Dan Severn vs. Ken Shamrock 2
(source: bloodyelbow.com)
This was one of the original “super-fights” in UFC history as two of MMA’s biggest and best heavyweight stars of the time were set to face off at UFC 9. After their first fight was pretty good, and with both men being such big stars, the rematch was marketed as a rematch for the ages that had the fans excited for what would happen. However, the fans got little more than a synchronized dance routine as both men essentially circled the cage for the entire 30 minutes of the fight, making it one of the most boring fights in UFC history and didn’t even get close to living up to the hype.
4. Anderson Silva vs. Demian Maia
(source: bloodyelbow.com)
Now this fight may be one of the most embarrassing moments in UFC history, bar none. This fight was marketed as one of Anderson Silva’s biggest tests as Demian Maia is an absolute wizard on the ground and could give Anderson fits like no one else. However, much to the dismay of fans and the UFC staff alike, the fight was nothing more than a joke. Silva essentially stood around, baiting Maia in the entire fight and rarely showing urgency in the fight. Dana White apologized for the fight and promised to make it up for anyone who “bought this s***” tonight.
5. Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao
(source: cnn.com)
Big boxing fans knew the kind of fight they would get, but the problem is, no one else did. Fans had been begging for this fight for the better part of a decade, and when it was finally announced, it sent shockwaves through the media and sports worlds. As the event got closer, the hype only multiplied and got crazier. If you were on social media the night of the fight, people who didn’t even know about boxing were conversing about the fight, which is a rarity in combat sports. Unfortunately, neither man really put any sort of real effort or urgency into the fight, which disappointed millions and left a lot of people wishing they could have their $100 back.
