best contender for every era

[JAB5239]

I'm doing a study and need your opinions on who was the best heavyweight contender for every era back to Jim Jeffries. Who was the best in each era never to be considered "the man"?

[Cardinal Buck]

Klitschko era--counting guys like Chagaev as champs, probably Tony Thompson or Solis
Lewis era--Ibeabuchi and Tua
Early 90s--Ruddock
Tyson era--Biggs (but almost everyone held a belt at some point)
Holmes era--Cooney
70s--Jimmy Young
60s--Machen or Quarry
50s--maybe Harold Johnson, if he counts.

[Cardinal Buck]

I forgot about Toney. He does deserve it. He briefly held a belt before having it stripped for a roids test.