Tuesday's debate between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney could go down as one of the most contentious televised presidential debates ever, political analysts said.

During the debate, held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, tense moments were not hard to find, with both candidates repeatedly interrupting one another.

"They were in each other's face. I thought we were at Madison Square Garden, and they were about to put the boxing gloves on," said Terry Madonna, director of Franklin & Marshall College's Center for Politics & Public Affairs.

Madonna indicates this debate will be remembered for how the candidates fiercely attacked one another.

"I think these two gentleman don't like each other particularly. They have two very different philosophies," Madonna said. "This, I think, is attributable to how polarized we are as Americans."

Madonna says when it comes to the drama of Tuesday night's debate, comparisons could be made to the 1980 debate between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.

And when it comes to heated confrontation during televised debates, Madonna indicated that many think of the 1988 vice-presidential showdown between Dan Quayle and Lloyd Bensten.

"Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy," said Senator Lloyd Bensten. Dan Quayle responded, "That was really uncalled for, senator."

So, as the years move on, experts say history will remember Tuesday night's debate at Hofstra University.

"This will be remarked upon as, perhaps, the most contentious debate since 1960 when we started televising debates," Madonna said.