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Revenge: The Rematches
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] The fightsUndercardThe 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 IIAzumah Nelson vs. Jesse James Leija II for the WBC super featherweight title (Leija won by unanimous decision in 12)[3] Brown vs. Norris II
The second rematch saw Simon Brown face former champion Terry Norris for the WBC super welterweight title.[4] BackgroundGoing 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 fightIn 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] AftermathSpeaking 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] McClellan vs. Jackson II
The penultimate bout on the card, saw WBC middleweight champion Gerald McClellan face former champion Julian Jackson.[9] BackgroundThe 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 fightShortly 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. AftermathIn 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. Randall vs. Chávez IIFrankie Randall vs. Julio César Chávez II for the WBC super lightweight title (Chavez won by technical decision in 8) AftermathThe event was named Ring Magazine event of the year for 1994. Full cardConfirmed bouts:[12]
Broadcasting
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