By Dallan O’ Donnell: It has been some time since boxing fans were treated to a great fight. An all-out war where both fighters left everything in the ring, so much so that some has to return to renew their rivalry. Some fighters were born to fight. Most on this list are just that. Here is my top 5 fights in recent years.

At number 5: Oscar DeLa Hoya vs. Shane Mosley 1 (2000)

In an epic battle of two superstars who both battled for greatness and supremacy. Mosley dominated most of the close exchanges with his right hand, landing at will but to the crowds pleasure DeLa Hoya came back with some stunning left hooks that rocked Mosley back on his heels.

Even down the line, they battled to the end which pleased the crowd, who were on their feet. Mosley was awarded the decision which Oscar did not agree with. They fought again but DeLa Hoya was once again disappointed.

At number 4: Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez 1 (2004)

In my opinion this was one of the best comebacks in history. Marquez was dropped sensationally three times by Manny in the first round. But showing the heart of a true Mexican Warrior, Marquez battled back to somehow draw with Pacquiao. Some of the exchanges were brutal. Pacquiao took a right hand from Marquez almost every time he landed his left.

Pacquaio was hurt on many occasions but he found the will to fire back. In the end, because of how Marquez came back, a draw was probably a fair result. I did give the fight to Pacquiao though. One judge scored the first round 10-7 whereas it should have been 10-6 as Marquez was down three times. They fought twice more. Pacquiao won both in what is arguably the most disputed trilogy in boxing because of the outcomes.

At number 3: Arturo Gatti vs. Mickey Ward 3 (2003)

This was the end of a great trilogy. Both men showed guts and stamina in a war. Just like their first battle. Ward was not on Gatti’s level skill wise but his heart was enough. Sheer determination from both men made this fight great. Gatti was even down in this fight, perfectly timed from Ward who at the time was behind on points. Gatti fought most of the fight with a broken right hand, after he hurt it on Ward’s hip bone.
Gatti won the fight, but at that stage, winning was irrelevant. Nobody will ever know what both men shared in the ring. That was shown when the two fighters embraced at the end. Motionless.

At number 2, and a very close runner up: Erik Morales vs. Marco Antonio Barrera 1 (2000)

Two Mexican legends. Two absolute warriors and great fighters.
To the true Mexican way, both men fought an incredible fight. Barrera was the aggressor. He set the tiresome, relentless pace but Morales was resilient. He took some huge shots and came back with bigger ones. Barrera was shocked at the power that Morales had. Morales at one stage was winning the fight with just a right hand. He hit Marco with so many right hands yet Barrera came back so many times. This was another epic trilogy that left fans debating the decisions. Morales won the first but Barrera won the other two. What is certain though, is that nobody will ever forget the 36 rounds both fighters boxed.

And now number 1, a very close contest but it has to be: Arturo Gatti vs. Mickey Ward 1 (2002)

In my opinion the best fight in recent years.

Gatti was expected to beat Ward easily but boxing fans were treated to a spectacle, a fight for the ages. It was an all-out war. Both fighters took some of the biggest punches I have seen and still managed to come back with their own massive shots. Gatti had a point deducted and was down in the fight also but he saw the finish line. Ward fought the fight of his life against the late Gatti and won a majority decision over rounds. But everyone knew it wasn’t the last time they were going to fight. They were true warriors in every sense of the word. RIP Arturo Gatti (1972-2009)

What is your top 5? Do you agree with mine? Comment below or tell me on Twitter @dallan09, but keep it in the 21st century.