Which boxing matches attracted the most spectators? Find out more about the most popular fights in boxing history.
The fact that celebrity boxing matches can be real crowd pullers is nothing new. In the recent past, for example, over 90,000 spectators watched Wladimir Klitschko’s fight against Anthony Joshua at London’s Wembley Stadium. To find the absolute record crowds in boxing, however, you have to go back in time, to the 20th century.
1. Tony Zale vs. Billy Pryor (August 16, 1941, approx. 135,000 spectators)
In June 1941, a boxing match took place in Juneau Park in Milwaukee that still holds the attendance record today. Around 135,000 people gathered to see Tony Zale fight Billy Pryor. This middleweight fight was offered as a free event, which explains the enormous crowd. Zale, known as the “Man of Steel”, clearly dominated the fight. He put Pryor under a lot of pressure from the start, which ultimately led to a clear knockout victory in the first rounds.
2nd Julio César Chávez vs. Greg Haugen (February 20, 1993, 132,247 visitors)
In February 1993, history was made at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Mexican boxing hero Julio César Chávez met Greg Haugen in front of a record-breaking crowd of 132,247 spectators. The fight was part of Chávez’s legendary career and showed how deeply rooted boxing is in Mexican culture. Haugen, who entered the ring as the underdog, was knocked down in the first round. Although he fought on bravely, he was unable to withstand Chávez and was finally knocked out in the fifth round.
3rd Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney I (September 23, 1926, 120,557 visitors)
The first fight between Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney at Sesquicentennial Stadium in Philadelphia drew a record crowd of 120,557. Dempsey, who went in as the favorite, faced Tunney, who many considered inexperienced. But against all expectations, Tunney dominated the fight. He used his speed and precise punches to outmaneuver Dempsey. The fight ended in a unanimous decision in Tunney’s favor and went down as one of the biggest surprise victories in boxing history.
4th Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney II (September 22, 1927, 104,943 spectators)
A year later, Dempsey and Tunney met again, this time at Soldier Field in Chicago. The fight, which became known as the “Long Count Fight”, drew 104,943 spectators. A controversial moment arose when Dempsey knocked Tunney down but did not immediately go to a neutral corner, giving Tunney extra seconds to recover. Tunney got back up and eventually won the fight on points. This fight marked the end of Dempsey’s active career and remains one of the most talked about events in boxing.
5th Max Schmeling vs. Walter Neusel (August 26, 1934, 102,000 spectators)
In the summer of 1934, two of Germany’s most famous heavyweight boxers, Max Schmeling and Walter Neusel, met at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. In front of an impressive crowd of around 102,000 spectators, many of whom had traveled to see the spectacle, Schmeling prevailed. Neusel, known for his aggressive fighting style, tried to put Schmeling under pressure right from the start. But Schmeling, the former world champion, kept the upper hand and ended the fight by technical knockout in the ninth round. This fight underlined Schmeling’s reputation as one of the best heavyweights of his time.