What era was the last really competitive HW division

[DoomOnHorseback]

90s-00s for sure. Most consider the 70s as a sure fire era of top heavyweights. Just think about how many guys from the 70s went to the Hall of Fame and how few would go now.

Well I think it's safe to say theres only Wlad will be in the future.
Good point.

[DoomOnHorseback]

Well when Holyfield was prime and Bowe was prime, you had a still relevant Tyson on the radar and a comeback but determined Foreman around as well. They all didn't fight eachother but it was a stacked era by HW standards.

Lewis came later and finished off or decision-ed these guys but they weren't anywhere near their peaks anymore.

I would like to hear some other opinions though. The 70's in my book is by far the best HW era, it produced the most greats who had long careers that spanned multiple eras.

Muhammed Ali has the greatest HW resume to date and it's by a landslide and probably won't ever be matched. He beat prime contenders in both the 60's and 70's - both good eras with quality competition.

In the 70's Foreman came along who is still to this day massively underated because he is one of the greatest hw's of all time. He was a powerhouse in the 70's and came back in the 90's as was still a very live contender (well schooled and crafty with a great jab), fighting tough opposition in both eras. In the 90's you saw the character of a man usually left behind in the past eras (tough and determined).

My opinion is, which upsets folk, that a prime Lennox would've beaten a prime Tyson. As well as Holyfield

[soul_survivor]

Early 90s was the last time the division shined with Tyson, lennnox, Holyfield, bowe, golata, mercer, foreman, moorer, morrison, ruddock, Bruno, plus had guys like tua, grant, awkiwande, Rahman, seldon, cooper

The early 90s did not have a number of those fighters you mentioned.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

The early 90s did not have a number of those fighters you mentioned.

Really?

You do realize after I named guys, I said "plus" and named others... differentiating between guys that were there all 90s "plus" the guys that were fringe or coming up..


You need a life if you are gonna quote and nitpick.. everybody else understood

[OctoberRed]

My opinion is, which upsets folk, that a prime Lennox would've beaten a prime Tyson. As well as Holyfield

Probably so, but a prime Tyson had a much better chance of landing that one chin check punch. If Mercer was able to get there, Tyson likely would have.

[soul_survivor]

Really?

You do realize after I named guys, I said "plus" and named others... differentiating between guys that were there all 90s "plus" the guys that were fringe or coming up..


You need a life if you are gonna quote and nitpick.. everybody else understood

You said the most competitive era was the early 90s, not just the 90s.

Tua wasnt anywhere near the world class mix till about 97/98.

Either you know boxing or you dont. The history section is for those that do.

[soul_survivor]

My opinion is, which upsets folk, that a prime Lennox would've beaten a prime Tyson. As well as Holyfield

Yeah, some people get too easily upset on here.

Thing is, a so called prime Lewis got rocked several times and was far from unbeatable. Imagine a prime Tyson with his speed and ability to get under the taller mans jab (Lewis pawed out his jab at times, perfect for Tyson) and land hooks and straight shots.

Lewis did not have the chin or recuperative powers to deal with that early Tyson onslaught.

If he did manage to get through it, the second half of the fight may be a different story.

[DoomOnHorseback]

Yeah, some people get too easily upset on here.

Thing is, a so called prime Lewis got rocked several times and was far from unbeatable. Imagine a prime Tyson with his speed and ability to get under the taller mans jab (Lewis pawed out his jab at times, perfect for Tyson) and land hooks and straight shots.

Lewis did not have the chin or recuperative powers to deal with that early Tyson onslaught.

If he did manage to get through it, the second half of the fight may be a different story.

Absolutely.
Obviously they had their 'primes' at different times so could've never met. I just revert to Douglas and I can't help think if Mike didn't go through what he did, who else would've beaten him. I'm not undermining Mike. He was/is great to watch. But I remember Bruno rocking him before prison as well as the BD defeat. If you discount a lot of his early fights as substandard punch bags as most great fighters negotiate as they progress through the early stage of their career, his CV isn't that impressive is it?

[amuroray]

This prime tyson myth is the worst thing in boxing honestly.

[OctoberRed]

This prime tyson myth is the worst thing in boxing honestly.

In what sense, please explain.