When we start talking about great rivalries, we have to first determine the criteria that that we will use to come to our conclusions. With so many teams and individuals in the professional and collegiate levels that would qualify for this list, we will keep it down to something that is workable.
The definition of the word rivals—two competitors pursuing the same object, but with equal tenacity in their quest to surpass the other. In sports, the term is normally used when both competitors or teams have a lot of history between them, and the stakes are high.
One criteria has to be fan enthusiasm and participation. The fans have to be jacked for the contest, and it has to mean something. If nothing is on the line then it takes away from the rivalry.
There are times however, when there is nothing on the line, that the respective fans of both teams dislike each other so much, that it doesn’t matter.
Both teams or participants have to be consistently good. It won’t generate as much of a buzz if one or both teams are down, or just not that good. That has to be factored in.
There must be history there between the teams or athletes. The more history involved, in many cases, means the rivalry is more intense.
Geographical location must be a consideration as well. Natural rivalries develop over time where teams have a common border, or are intra-state. This is especially prevalent in college sports.
They will be listed in no particular order, and it will be open for debate which are the best.
Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali
This was a boxing rivalry to end all boxing rivalries. The first time they fought in 1971, the fight was so hyped that it seemed that it could never live up to its billing.
It was called at the time—and is still referred to by many—the "fight of the century." Both men were undefeated and about as different as they come. Ali was the brash, trash talking anti-war Muslim who took on the establishment, and Frazier was the Bible-reading Christian who liked to sing.
Frazier would win that epic battle, knocking Ali down in the 15th round. This would be the only fight out of the three that Frazier would win. The rematch in January of 1974 was called “Superfight,” and Ali would get his revenge. He dominated the fight with his lightning-quick punches and movement.
In the pre-fight press conference, Frazier got tired of the name-calling and the taunts Ali dished out and attacked him. Needless to say, there was no love lost between the two.
The third fight, the Thrilla in Manila, in 1975 was a tremendous ending to this rivalry. Both men dished out serious punishment, but Ali tortured Frazier in the later rounds worse than anyone had done before. Frazier couldn’t answer the bell for the fourteenth .
8 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Micah Green 11 months ago
go celtics baby! y no florida georgia?
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Gray Ghost 11 months ago
Great and interesting article. Well done. I would have to agree with Micah that the Georgia-Florida rivalry is one of sports all time greats. RUN LINDSAY! RUN!
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Andrew Tonge 11 months ago
It was tough to leave Georgia-Florida out, but underneath Army Navy I gave the following honorable mention:
Auburn vs. Alabama, U.S.C. vs. Notre Dame, Oklahoma vs. Texas, Georgia vs. Florida, Michigan vs. Ohio State
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dac cherner 11 months ago
did you miss ohio st vs michigan? or am I blind. Im a huge unc fan and I even know that osu and mich is the biggest rivalry in sports.
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Andrew Tonge 11 months ago
When was the last time that they played where it had serious national implications, and not just conference implications? I did mention them after I mentioned Army vs Navy, but I didn't choose them as number one because in the past decade and a little farther back than that, their rivalry hasn't quite been as important nationally as FSU and Miami was. It has fallen off a little. If you are just talking about the oldest, then they get the nod.
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Tom Staton 11 months ago
Are you kidding me? A rivalry is not about how much the games mean they are about absolutely hating the team you are playing against and wanting nothing more than to beat them whether you are undefeated or winless on the year and Ohio State and Michigan fit the bill
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Pike Bishop 11 months ago
The first Frazier-Ali fight has to rank as one of the greatest sporting events ever.
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Andrew Tonge 11 months ago
I agree Pike. You would be hard pressed to find five others that were as big and lived up to the hype.
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