Greater heavyweight decade, the 60's or 70's?

[JAB5239]

Which do you think was the greater heavyweight era, and who are your top ten heavyweights from the 60's and top ten from the 70's? There will be some crossover fighters I'm sure.

[JAB5239]

1960's

Clay\Ali
Liston
Frazier
Patterson
Williams
Johansson
Quarry
Folley
Bonavena
Chuvalo

1970's

Ali
Frazier
Foreman
Norton
Holmes
Quarry
Lyle
Shavers
Young
Bugner

This was harder than I though. What you say?

[Willie Pep 229]

1960's

Clay\Ali
Liston
Frazier
Patterson
Williams
Johansson
Quarry
Folley
Bonavena
Chuvalo

1970's

Ali
Frazier
Foreman
Norton
Holmes
Quarry
Lyle
Shavers
Young
Bugner

This was harder than I though. What you say?

Would like to find a spot for Eddie Machon on your 1960s list. He is still ranked in the top ten as late as 1966. But can't find a name to remove.

Then also same problem with Ellis.

I think of Quarry as more a late '60s fighter than I do '70s. So I would take him off one of the lists. But probably the '70s. I think only Ali and Frazier deserve both lists.

Reginal Perrin didn't think much of Joe Bugner so neither do I.

How about Gerrie Coetzee instead. He first appears in the rankings in '76 and eventually holds a belt.

[JAB5239]

Would like to find a spot for Eddie Machon on your 1960s list. He is still ranked in the top ten as late as 1966. But can't find a name to remove.

Then also same problem with Ellis.

I think of Quarry as more a late '60s fighter than I do '70s. So I would take him off one of the lists. But probably the '70s. I think only Ali and Frazier deserve both lists.

Reginal Perrin didn't think much of Joe Bugner so neither do I.

How about Gerrie Coetzee instead. He first appears in the rankings in '76 and eventually holds a belt.

I wanted Machen in, I just couldn't justify it. He was still ranked as you said but seemed to lose most of the top fights. Great fighter though and a credit to his era.

Quarry fought a lot of top fighters in the 60's with mostly positive results. During the 70's he has wins over Shavers, Lyle and Foster while losing to Frazier, Ali and Norton. He was in the year end rankings 4 out of the ten years as well.

Bugner was a tough call. I wouldn't argue against Coetzee replacing him on anyone's list.

[Cash in]

Would like to find a spot for Eddie Machon on your 1960s list. He is still ranked in the top ten as late as 1966. But can't find a name to remove.

Then also same problem with Ellis.

I think of Quarry as more a late '60s fighter than I do '70s. So I would take him off one of the lists. But probably the '70s. I think only Ali and Frazier deserve both lists.

Reginal Perrin didn't think much of Joe Bugner so neither do I.

How about Gerrie Coetzee instead. He first appears in the rankings in '76 and eventually holds a belt.

I don't think Joe Bugner would be anywhere near top 50 in the world now, so if he was even close to top 10 in the 70s, that's not impressive. I would not say he's any better than someone like Tom Little, english journeyman. I'd tip the polish journeyman Soskolowski to beat him, quite comfortably as well. There is nothing on Bugner's record to suggest otherwise either. Cash in

[JAB5239]

I don't think Joe Bugner would be anywhere near top 50 in the world now, so if he was even close to top 10 in the 70s, that's not impressive. I would not say he's any better than someone like Tom Little, english journeyman. I'd tip the polish journeyman Soskolowski to beat him, quite comfortably as well. There is nothing on Bugner's record to suggest otherwise either. Cash in

I'm going to play devils advocate here.....Bugner had a SD loss against Lyle, decisive losses to Ali, Frazier and Shavers. But also had wins over Ellis, Mac Foster, Garcia, Cooper, Wepner and London. Maybe not a murderers row, but arguably a top ten resume.

[GhostofDempsey]

I would include Terrell on your list of 60’s HWs. Wins over Bethea, a still prime Williams, Foster, Machen, Chuvalo, Jones.

Duane Bobick was a 70's contender whose career was basically derailed when he lost to Norton by 1st round stoppage when he was punched in the throat. He was a good amateur with a win over Holmes in the amateurs. Not sure if he was any better or worse than Bugner.

[QueensburyRules]

1960's

Clay\Ali
Liston
Frazier
Patterson
Williams
Johansson
Quarry
Folley
Bonavena
Chuvalo

1970's

Ali
Frazier
Foreman
Norton
Holmes
Quarry
Lyle
Shavers
Young
Bugner

This was harder than I though. What you say?

- - The start of the 60s was dire as was the end of the 70s.

70s had Ali, Foreman, Frazier, and Norton fighting each other all better than anything the 60s produced.