Manchester United v Liverpool
Two of the most successful teams in England have some of the most loyal diehard fans who demand nothing but a win against their division rivals. There are 131 trophies between the two, Man Utd boasting 66 with Liverpool 65. In the premier league, this fixture has produced 16 red cards toppled by the Merseyside derby (Everton vs Liverpool) with 21. In Europe, Liverpool is the most successful with 6 titles while Man Utd has 3.
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Bad blood is the perfect description whenever these two London giants meet. The two clubs first met in 1909 and have played 191 times Arsenal has a slight win advantage of 79 and Tottenham 61. The proximity of team stadiums, the Emirates (Arsenal), and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are a few miles apart intensifying the conflict. Additionally, notable transfers for example Sol Campbell, Spurs’ best defender at the time to Arsenal was met with outcry amongst rival Spurs fans. Campbell later won 4 major trophies with the club and a Champion’s League runner’s up medal. Arsenal famously won the 2004-05 league title at Whitehart Lane (Spurs’ former home stadium) by the Arsenal’s Invincibles, the only team to go unbeaten in a league season.
Boston Celtics v L.A. Lakers
Basketball is one of the most-watched sports in the world, especially in the United States. The National Basketball Association (N.B.A) is the men’s professional league’s highest level globally. Teams are divided into the Eastern and Western Conferences, and the best team from each conference meets in a best-of-seven series at the finals. The Celtics and Lakers are the most successful teams in the NBA with 16 and 17 titles, respectively. The two teams have produced hall of fame players; Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal. These two teams have met each other 12 times in the finals, the first being in 1959 and through the sixties, the Celtics dominated, winning six titles in that decade. In the 70s and 80s, the Lakers were the teams to beat. Celtics hold the overall lead 9-3 in the series between them.
The Green Bay Packers v The Chicago Bears
The National Football League (N.F.L) gives us memorable events; the Superbowl and the playoffs watched by millions every year. American Football is a violent sport and these supreme athletes put their bodies on the line for our entertainment. The Packers and Bears were formed in 1919, and have played each other 203, the Packers having a slight advantage over the bears with 103 wins to 95 and six ties. In the 2010s, Aaron Rodgers the quarterback of the packers continues to have an impressive record of 23 wins and 5 losses against the Bears. Rodgers continues to taunt them in the media and on social media about the bears’ laughable record against him. In 2014 Rodgers destroyed the Bears with a six-touchdown performance, the highest game result in the 203 games played between the two.
Boxing-Mike Tyson v Evander Holyfield (1996)
These two former heavyweight champions of the 80s and 90s were at the prime of their careers. It was inevitable that a fight was in the cards. They fought twice, Holyfield winning the first match in the 11th round. In the second infamously named”the bite fight” Tyson bit Holyfield’s ear frustrated he had suffered a cut above his eye, astonishingly the referee let the fight continue. Unbelievably Tyson bit Holyfield’s ear again, a chunk visibly missing from his ear, and the fight called off. They didn’t fight again but made up later on.
Rugby (Queensland v New South Wales)
This unique exhibition match consists of three series between two Australian states. The two states select the best players to represent them in the series. Sometimes unique situations arise in which teammates face each other in this tournament. The rules of the game are lax, and the players are encouraged to inflict hard and over-the-shoulder tackles. In a perfectly legit game, some of these tackles result in ejections. Australians love these exhibition matches which are gaining international interest over the years.
Conclusion
Rivalries have shaped the careers of athletes and the destinies of sports franchises. We still talk about the unbelievable moments that define a crucial moment of a game that resulted in a win or loss. We should enjoy these sports events occur and respect these athletes that keep rivalries for years to come.
