Animosity and the Role of the Arch-Rival

Something I've been thinking about recently is the role of arch-enemies in boxing. Hatred between the protagonists of a fight - the grudge match - makes for an exciting spectacle. Of course, boxers often try to feign hatred to boost sales, but when the animosity is genuine it adds electricity to a fight which is almost palpable. This was particularly the case with Benn and Eubank in their first fight.

So, does having an arch-rival increase the likelihood of a boxer being remembered in the history books, particularly if there is genuine animosity between the fighters? Is this the case even when the fighters aren’t especially skilful?

Yes. Always remembered is genuine animosity - especially as when its genuine it boils over sooner or later and something happens. Feigned ones usually have only words. The skill of the boxers is the multiplier - the higher up it goes the more it is remembered and revisitied.