The HeavyWeight Myth..

[The Hammer]

do we even have a credible top 5? i mean there is Vitali..a man who lost to an aging Lewis..

After that, I can't think of anybody. Haye is just a chin waiting to be knocked out.

That's because you don't know very much about the heavyweight division.

There's about 20 good heavyweights coming up in Europe, people like Dimitrenko, Povetkin, Boytsov, Kretschmann, Pala, Wawrzyk, etc.

The heavyweight divisions has LOTS of talent in Europe. But, the reality is there are only ONE or TWO decent heavyweights under age 30 in the US - in fact, perhaps the only one is Arreola.

[The Hammer]

There is some substance to what you're saying, I can see your point. But the truth is, the fighters of the 70's and 90's were waaaayyyy more exciting to watch, in and out the ring, than all of the heavyweight division in the present day..

No, the difference is public perception. The media paid more attention to them and hyped them up because they were Americans.

[Welter_Skelter]

in 1978 Leon Spinks was ranked in the top 10 after 7 fights LOL

Spinks went on to an awesome record of 26-17-3 WOW the talent is mind blowing..

If 7-0 gets you a top 10 ranking.. I guess Povetkin would be ranked Number 1

[Welter_Skelter]

You only bow to small boys.

How does it feel to be branded a ***** by loads of people on this site where you spend most of your time?

Dosn't bother me one bit.. WOW a padeo.. how original.. I have been called gay too.. I think I will end my life..

You are on here.. so if you think me being on here is an insult.. then....

[TheGreatA]

The 70's heavyweight division went downhill after the Thrilla in Manila fight. You still had some good talent in the top 5 but many old contenders were aging and the new ones, well, made up the lackluster 80's division or were being completely overrated (Bobick, Boudreaux, Smith) and never went onto become anything.

There were a lot of fighters around who were much better than Wepner. The reason he got his ranking was because he won a robbery of a decision against Ernie Terrell.

[warp1432]

The fact remains that behind the Klitschkos I see virtually no class in the HW division right now. It speaks volumes that the #3 guy that everyone is talking about is a former Cruiser champ who has barely faced a credible opponent as of yet.

You just presented me with two ranking lists boasting the likes of Ali, Foreman, Norton, Frazier, Holmes, Shavers and Bonavena. To me, that shows that that era ****s all over the current one and subsequently, your thread fails.

This. Not to mention the reason why Foreman, Norton, Fraizer, and the likes were still in the top 5 in 1976 was BECAUSE they had rematches with Ali. Foreman was 1 for KOing Lyle and had wins over Norton and Frazier.

In 1975 Fraizer gave a very spirited effort against Ali and that's why he was ranked so high. Not to mention Ken Norton arguably won their third fight. They use the ratings that happened at the end of the year.

in 1978 Leon Spinks was ranked in the top 10 after 7 fights LOL

Spinks went on to an awesome record of 26-17-3 WOW the talent is mind blowing..

If 7-0 gets you a top 10 ranking.. I guess Povetkin would be ranked Number 1

THE END of 1978. Not the beginning. Spinks beating Ali was a lot better then Povetkin beating Byrd. Though Povetkin has a pretty good resume for nowadays.

[Scott9945]

Very good thread with a lot of valid points. Boxing fan's memories are often more convenient than accurate.

[MELLY-MEL...]

Very good thread with a lot of valid points. Boxing fan's memories are often more convenient than accurate.

very true brother. great post!!!!!!!!!

[mathed]

The fact remains that behind the Klitschkos I see virtually no class in the HW division right now. It speaks volumes that the #3 guy that everyone is talking about is a former Cruiser champ who has barely faced a credible opponent as of yet.

You just presented me with two ranking lists boasting the likes of Ali, Foreman, Norton, Frazier, Holmes, Shavers and Bonavena. To me, that shows that that era ****s all over the current one and subsequently, your thread fails.

I think he was pointing out the fact that there are a few great boxers ranked in the top 1-5, but the remainder of the top 10 in the HW division are no names just like today....Wlad, Vitali and then there is David Haye (a true cruiserweight)
He was saying the hw division was just as weak then as it is now...a couple good ones then and a couple good ones now

[warp1432]

Even if the later 70s didn't have as good as contenders for the lower rank, you can argue the lower welters of today aren't as good as the top, but that's just how a division can be sometimes.

Still the top contenders for most of the 70s especially unitl 76 were top notch. Compare 71-76 to 04-09 and I'll take the 70s ANYDAY. There was just that much better talent in general.