What was the best era in the Heavyweight division

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"Eras" are irrelevant. There are guys in each era who would beat guys from other eras (while acknowledging the general improvement in conditioning and nutrition over time).

Which one you consider the best is highly subjective. Are you asking which one had the top 3 fighters even if below them was an empty abyss? Or which one had the best 20 fighters even if none of them were truly exceptional? etc.

When I say Lennox Lewis or Vitali Klitschko could beat all of the '70s heavyweights I specifically mean them. People tend to have a kneejerk reaction and respond with stuff like "so you think Mormeck would beat Foreman?!?!?" No, Foreman would have walked through that bum too.

Likewise when I point out that Tyson lorded over a very crappy roster in the '80s -- I'm not saying Tyson himself wasn't good, just stating the truth.

Blind worship of any "era" (consisting of thousands of fighters) is very silly.

[LacedUp]

"Eras" are irrelevant. There are guys in each era who would beat guys from other eras (while acknowledging the general improvement in conditioning and nutrition over time).

Which one you consider the best is highly subjective. Are you asking which one had the top 3 fighters even if below them was an empty abyss? Or which one had the best 20 fighters even if none of them were truly exceptional? etc.

When I say Lennox Lewis or Vitali Klitschko could beat all of the '70s heavyweights I specifically mean them. People tend to have a kneejerk reaction and respond with stuff like "so you think Mormeck would beat Foreman?!?!?" No, Foreman would have walked through that bum.

Likewise when I point out that Tyson lorded over a very crappy roster in the '80s -- I'm not saying Tyson himself wasn't good, just stating the truth.

Blind worship of any "era" (consisting of thousands of fighters) is very silly.

You do actually realize that Elroy did say that Mormeck would beat Foreman, right?

I have sympathy for a H2H opinion that Vitali or Lennox would be somewhere near the top. They are both huge and powerful.

However, in terms of overall greatness, neither, and especially Vitali, have a great resume.

[Dr Rumack]

I'm going to wait until after the Briggs-Carmack fight to cast my vote.

[dan_cov]

Don't forget the showdown between Malik Scott and Alex Leapai stylistically this is as close to Ali vs Tyson as we'll ever get and I think will offer definitive proof as to who would of won that fantasy fight.

[Mr.Fantastic]

Larry be taking them blurry pics with that Cricket/Metro PCS phone.

[Cloud]

90s by far.

[King_]

The present era is the best ever, IMO.


Wlad, Povetkin, Pulev, Joshua, etc.... would all tower over and destroy past eras HW's, especially those in the 60s-70s.



Sports fan get really sensitive when it comes to "former greats" in older eras.... To the point where they're straight delusional. Nobody in their right mind could actually believe that the skinny-fat, sub 6 footers of the 60s-70s would be competitive with 6'5+ athletic freaks such as Wlad/Anthony Joshua of today. Size alone would be enough for today's HW's, yet alone skill/power.


The training methods, athletic/human evolution, etc... of today's athletes compared to those of the 60's is on a completely different level. The only sport where "former greats" would be able to compete (it's all fantasy scenarios anyway) is a non-contact sport like Nascar or Golf. Where size/athleticism doesn't play a role.


The one thing I don't understand is... boxing in particular, has the most "the 60's-70's dudes would murder today's guys" etc, fans.

In any other sport..... it would be absolutely taboo to think that former greats could compete with current stars. I.E it would be ludicrous for someone to say Elgin Baylor and George Mikan would be able to dominate/be good in today's NBA, or the guys in the 1920's with the punters helmets could play in today's NFL...... any sensible person knows they would have no chance.

Yet with boxing it's the opposite. So many dudes who think Wlad/Floyd/PAC, etc.... would not be able to be competitive in other eras, like to the point where you're an idiot if you believe they could. The former ATG's are put on such a high pedestal, it's ridiculous. and the WORST is when talking about the HW division.....if theres ANY sport where former greats couldn't come close to current athletes its the sport where you get punched in the face.


Lets be real here..... None of those current-day-cruiserweights would even be able to reach Wlad or Anthony Joshuas head, yet alone absorb a punch from the dynamite in their gloves.



***waits for boxing historian elitists***

[SlySlickSmooth]

This is what Wlad would look like with no holding allowed vs Joe Louis

[dan_cov]

This is what Wlad would look like with no holding allowed vs Joe Louis

Always felt Carnera's size and style was very reminiscent of Vitali's especially with him being almost club-footed & having his back foot pointed too far out in a constant 3 O' clock position.

[Larry the boss]

Golovkin,King and Freedom...how can anyone take you seriously?