Matthew Saad Muhammad vs Yaqui Lopez II — one of the greatest forgotten wars in boxing history. 🥊
2026 · Wrestling · Wrestling
Matthew Saad Muhammad vs Yaqui Lopez II — one of the greatest forgotten wars in boxing history. 🥊
Matthew Saad Muhammad vs Yaqui Lopez II — one of the greatest forgotten wars in boxing history. 🥊
2026
Wrestling
Matthew Saad Muhammad vs Yaqui Lopez II — one of the greatest forgotten wars in boxing history. 🥊 On July 13, 1980, WBC light-heavyweight champion Matthew Saad Muhammad defended his title against Yaqui Lopez in a rematch that became an absolute classic. The two had already fought once in 1978, when Saad — then known as Matthew Franklin — stopped Lopez after 11 brutal rounds. The rematch was somehow even better. For 14 rounds, Saad Muhammad and Lopez produced the kind of relentless, back-and-forth violence that defined one of boxing's great eras. And then there's round eight. Lopez trapped Saad against the ropes and unleashed an extraordinary barrage, seemingly having the champion on the verge of defeat. Saad survived. And, as he did so many times during his remarkable career, somehow came roaring back. In the 14th round, Saad dropped Lopez four times before the fight was finally stopped. The Ring named Saad Muhammad vs Lopez II its 1980 Fight of the Year, while the unforgettable eighth was named Round of the Year. Yet today, compared with many of boxing's famous classics, this extraordinary fight is rarely talked about. So here's my question: Is Matthew Saad Muhammad vs Yaqui Lopez II the greatest fight you've never seen? Watch the full fight and decide for yourself. #MatthewSaadMuhammad #YaquiLopez #ClassicBoxing #Boxing #TheFightFan