If it hadn't been for Hagler who would have reigned?

I imagine a competitive period where the title changes hands often, matches are made, avoided or have lengthy negotiations.

Strangely, the answer to your question may be: The one who reigns the longest is the one who ducks the most. Whoever successfully avoids fighting the best at the worst time. A matter of matchmaking.

 

this, i think that even briscoe would have his puncher chance when monzon was retired and if hagler was out of the game

 

I think from 84 to 88 Hearns could have dominated ... before that I agree it could have been a number of very tough guys ...

 

Duran deserves a mention

 

Alan Minter,Fulgencio Obelmejias and Mustafa Hamsho would have been the top 3 for a few years.

 

Alan Minter would have had a bit more time at the top and perhaps Vito and Hamsho, Tommy Hearns may had his moments but Roldan would have been champ at some time and Duran would have a moment

 

Don Lee and Lindell Holmes were dangermen

 

An underrated fighter from the era, Fully Obelmejias would of beaten Minter had they met (which they almost certainly would have sans Hagler).

 

awful

 

Don Lee

 

Did a job on Sibbo and KO'd Hearns in sparring before Hagler fight.

 

Yeah after he was almost ko'd himself in the first and got ko'd in one by the legendary dangerous hall of famer Art McCloud. And sparring stories means nothing.

 

Agreed, it'd look alot like the heavyweight era post ali pre tyson

 

Yep, I just cringed at atberry's pun!