Best Sports Fights

Malice at the Palace

The skirmish between the Pacers and Pistons is the greatest brawl of the modern era, not because of the Ben Wallace frustration that caused it or the theatrics of Steven Jackson, not because of the hilarity of the color commentary or even the unfathomable actions of Ron Artest. The Pacers/Pistons brawl is a marvel of modern sports because it succeeded in the area where all other spectator sports fail: User Participation. I can't tell you how many times I've showered ridicule on Sasha Vujacic, practically begging him to come into the stands and sock the guy next to me, but it's just not going to happen. Today's NBA players don't have the chutzpah (Hebrew for "complete lack of common sense") to dive headlong into the stands and initiate a good old-fashioned barn-demoltion. This is a disgrace.
Google Video: Pacers/Pistons Brawl (Time: 12:05)

Following a 1996 cheap-shot on Detroit Red Wings' center Kris Draper by Claude Lemieux of the Colorado Avalanche, the Red Wings were looking for revenge as they hosted the Avalanche on March 26, 1997. Late in the first period, a huge fight broke out, with Draper's close friend Darren McCarty landing a hard right hook on Lemieux, sending him into the turtle position. Goaltenders Patrick Roy and Mike Vernon got in on the action as well, meeting at center ice to drop the gloves. Overall 144 penalty minutes, including 18 majors, were handed out in the game. Darren McCarty, however, got the last laugh as he scored the overtime winner in the game, then went on to help the Red Wings defeat the Avalanche in the post-season and win the 1997 Stanley Cup Championship.
Detroit Red Wings vs Colorado Avs

On March 5, 2004, the Philadelphia Flyers hosted the Ottawa Senators at the Wachovia Center. Tensions were still high from when the teams met the previous week and Senators winger Martin Havlat hit Mark Recchi in the face, earning a two game suspension. During the last two minutes of play, five separate brawls broke out, the first of which was instigated by Donald Brashear and Rob Ray. Just as soon as one fight was broken up by the referees, another started, with goaltenders Patrick Lalime and Robert Esche joining in. An NHL record of 419 penalty minutes were handed out, including 213 to the Flyers, or Broad Street Bullies as they were once called, who defeated the Senators with a final score of five to three.
Senators vs. Flyers NHL Fight

When Springfield citizens attend a soccer match between Mexico and Portugal, they find that the sport is not as exciting as the television commercial promoting players like Ariaga, Ariaga II, Bariaga and Aruglia made it out to be. When some unsatisfied sports fans attempt to leave, a fight ensues. Throw in Moe, Barney and a group of angry Scotsmen and you've got a full-fledged soccer riot that spreads throughout town long into the night.
Hulu: Simpsons Soccer Riot (Time: 0:54)