Era Misconceptions

[Kinetic Linking]

The term "golden age of bla bla bla" is thrown around too loosely.

One era misconception I'm aware of, assuming it's a misconception, is that the 70's was the "golden age" of heavyweights. I don't buy it, plain and simple. I don't care how many names you rattle off, videos of the 70s do not impress me and I watch a lot of videos and am very open minded about the past.

The other one I'm aware of is the notion that Ray Robinson's era was the "golden age" of middleweights. Again, I don't care how many names, those videos do not impress me. They're not bad - Ray was in some good fights. But I don't think it was the toughest era.

[them_apples]

The term "golden age of bla bla bla" is thrown around too loosely.

One era misconception I'm aware of, assuming it's a misconception, is that the 70's was the "golden age" of heavyweights. I don't buy it, plain and simple. I don't care how many names you rattle off, videos of the 70s do not impress me and I watch a lot of videos and am very open minded about the past.

The other one I'm aware of is the notion that Ray Robinson's era was the "golden age" of middleweights. Again, I don't care how many names, those videos do not impress me. They're not bad - Ray was in some good fights. But I don't think it was the toughest era.

and today's era impresses you? (the Heavyweights)

the 70's had some superb Athletes, Ali, Norton, Frazier....and yes George Foreman was a beast.

Robinsons era wasn't the golden age for middleweights though, considering the 3 best middleweights in my book weren't from his era.

IMO the competition during his era was average, but he was great.

[Kinetic Linking]

where did I say that today's era impressed me? I didn't so save yourself some time and don't check. George Foreman's one of my favorite fighters of all time, I just don't think the 70s was any kind of golden age.

[Obama]

80s is the best decade for Heavyweights in my personal opinion, followed by the 70s, which is neck and neck with the 90s. 60s were very over rated, 50s were better. But they're all far superior to the current decade.

As for my favorite Middleweight era, I also really liked the 80s, but it slipped over into the early 90s.

[them_apples]

80s is the best decade for Heavyweights in my personal opinion, followed by the 70s, which is neck and neck with the 90s. 60s were very over rated, 50s were better. But they're all far superior to the current decade.

As for my favorite Middleweight era, I also really liked the 80s, but it slipped over into the early 90s.

I like Haglers era for middleweights

The mid 80's to 90's was a good era for Heavyweights, with Bowe, Holyfield, Lewis, Tyson and with Holmes still sticking around. I think the 70's edges it out though with Foreman, Ali, Frazier, Norton

[DeepSleep]

Which era do you think has better heavyweights than the 70's Kinetic out of curiosity? Remember that the era is noted for having much much more than just Ali,Foreman,Frazier,Norton.

[Obama]

I like Haglers era for middleweights

The mid 80's to 90's was a good era for Heavyweights, with Bowe, Holyfield, Lewis, Tyson and with Holmes still sticking around. I think the 70's edges it out though with Foreman, Ali, Frazier, Norton

All due respect to Hagler, the second half of the 80s was better than the first in the MW department.

The Body Snatcher
Sweet Reggie Johnson
Patrizio
Second to Nunn
Irish Steve Collins
Action Jackson
The Dark Destroyer
Chris Eubank
Michael Watson

...and that's just the A list, might have left someone out too. The coming of James Toney and RJJ in the late 80s and early 90s put an exclamation point on that era.

As for the the 80s Heavyweights:

Holmes (Prime -> Over the hill)
Tyson (Prime)
Holyfield (Prime)
Witherspoon (Prime)
*Qawi (Prime -> Over the hill)
Foreman (Over the hill)
Gerry Cooney (Prime)
Trevor Berbick (Prime)
Michael Spinks (Post-Prime)

That's the A/A- list of names that had a meaningful impact in the 80s. I included Qawi since Cruiserweights didn't exist in the 70s. 80s definitely takes it in the A department, but the A- department would have more depth in the 70s.

[TheGreatA]

I can't say I agree with the 80's being a golden era for heavyweights.

Holmes and Tyson were the dominant champions, both great fighters, but aside from them the talent around was severely lacking, or I'd rather say the dedication since men such as Witherspoon, Thomas, Dokes, Page, Tubbs and others were all talented but wasted their potential one way or another (mostly drugs).

I'd say that Holyfield and Foreman were 1990's heavyweights, since that's when they made their impact on the division. Qawi, Spinks, Cooney and Berbick hardly qualify as A-list heavyweights in my opinion.

[TheGreatA]

1970's heavyweights were in my opinion:

Muhammad Ali
Joe Frazier
George Foreman
Ken Norton
Larry Holmes
Jimmy Young
Jerry Quarry
Ron Lyle
Earnie Shavers
Joe Bugner

Other notables:

Leon Spinks
Oscar Bonavena
Floyd Patterson (for his fights against Bonavena and Ali in the early 70's)
Mac Foster
Jimmy Ellis
Gregorio Peralta
John Tate
Henry Clark
Duane Bobick
Chuck Wepner
Kallie Knoetze

1980's:

Larry Holmes
Mike Tyson
Tim Witherspoon
Gerry Cooney
Mike Weaver
Michael Dokes
Tony Tucker
Gerrie Coetzee
Trevor Berbick
Pinklon Thomas
Tony Tubbs
Greg Page
Frank Bruno
Carl Williams
Tyrell Biggs
Renaldo Snipes
Tex Cobb

Holyfield did come into the picture in the late 80's but he only became the champion in the 90's.

1990's:

Lennox Lewis
Evander Holyfield
Mike Tyson
Riddick Bowe
Larry Holmes
George Foreman
Razor Ruddock
Ray Mercer
Michael Moorer
Tommy Morrison
Oliver McCall
David Tua
Ike Ibeabuchi
Andrew Golota
Frank Bruno

[black.ink]

It's hard to argue against the 70s being the golden age for Heavyweights.