Experts and fans have been able to observe fights that will go down in history this century — not only for the controversy, but for the vicious hits they produced.
That leads us to the burning question: what have been the most controversial fights of the past 10 years?
Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson
On Oct. 15, 20011, after a calm first round, a hard hit by Dawson ruined what could have been a great, contested battle.
In the second round, Dawson pushed Hopkins, taking him to the ground and fracturing his shoulder, which kept Hopkins from continuing. The initial result was a technical knockout for Dawson, who took the light heavyweight belt.
The WBC would later change the result, though, recognizing Dawson's penalty. It was determined to be a no contest, giving Hopkins his title back and setting the stage for a rematch between the two fighters.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Victor Ortiz
This time it was dirty, albeit legal, hits that became the stars of the match.
After Ortiz intentionally head-butted Mayweather in the fourth round, he approached Mayweather to apologize, and the latter took advantage of his unprotected opponent to land two clean hits and effectively end the fight.
The official for the match, Joe Cortez, took two points from Ortiz for the fight, while declaring Mayweather the winner after determining that the boxer had done "nothing illegal."
Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez II
Considered one of the best rivalries in boxing, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez always make for an extremely close fight.
After the first fight finished in a tie, the rematch — called "unfinished business" — was a split-decision win for Pacquiao, who was able to knock down Marquez in the third round.
The result was controversial, as most journalists, experts and fans believed that Marquez had the upper hand in the fight.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Márquez III
In similar circumstances to the second fight, Pacquiao was favored by the judges (this time in a majority decision).
While many thought it should have been another tie, others strongly felt that Marquez had been the winner.
The images seemed to show everything as the final bell sounded. Marquez put his hands up in victory while Pacquiao went to his corner and prayed, clearly upset by the decision that was to come.
Oscar De La Hoya vs. Shane Mosley II
The result was one of the most controversial, as it not only had to do with the final decision, but the use of drugs.
After Mosley picked up his second win against De La Hoya in an exciting bout, the unanimaous decision was heavily crticized by the media, as well as De La Hoya, especially after it was claimed that Mosley had fought while using stroids.
After a positive anti-doping test, Mosley admitted that he used steroids at the time of the fight.
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