It was arguably the greatest era in the history of boxing

Ray Mancini is one of the most popular fighters of the 1980s

OPINION
By
Barry McGuigan
Ray Boom Boom Mancini and Barry McGuigan's boxing career's came parallel to one another in the 1980s, and the pair reunited at the McGuigan gym this week to share some stories with the next generation of boxers
It was a pleasure to have the great Ray Boom Boom Mancini in the gym this week. He was on his way to do a personal appearance with Joe Calzaghe in Cannock.
For fighters to be connected with the past like that means a great deal to me. It was arguably the greatest era in the history of boxing with the likes of Ray Leonard, Duran, Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Alexis Arguello all active.
Is McGuigan right, was that the greatest era in boxing history?
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/ray-boom-boom-mancini-gives-26610206

 

It certainly means the most to me, but then that's when I became a boxing fan as a teenager. Light first shed on something at that age lasts forever.

 

Yes I became a boxing fan after watching Hagler beat Minter at the age of 4 in 1980.

 

Did you Mark??
That must have made a big impression on your young mind

 

There were a lot of awesome fighters in the 80s. If truth be told the best talent was in the lighter divisions. Too many names to list.

 

There was true greatness, yes, but many of these became iconic figures here and elsewhere in a way those from other eras didn't. Maybe it was because they had each other and created that round-robin sort of thing. That, coupled with the increased exposure stemming from a larger media presence, meant more and more lore for us to talk about this many years later.

 

The 80 s lower weight s really came out shining. The list is too long.

 

Yes, my dad liked Hagler and hate Minter cause he was a racist, the fight introduced me to racism also.

 

I think it compares with some of the best, but to say it is the best would not be fair to other great eras which I was not as youthful or alive to watch and appreciate. It was one of the best I am sure. When you get top fighters who are great in the same era exciting things happen, and that is what happened.

 

surely 1980 - 1984 culminating with the ultimate matchup/fight; Hagler v. Hearns

I hear camp Minter avoided Hagler on the way up. Minter usually overwhelmed opponents thru sheer aggression but on that night, it was all Hagler and I loved how Hagler plastered his face during those fierce exchanges. did you ever check out Minter's blood stained towel? It was like he faced Jack the ripper

 

the 40s were great too. so were the 1920s and 1900 - 1920

 

I get yer. Racism rears it's head in a lot of sports but boxing more than most, unfortunately.

 

Nope

 

It was my favorite decade but I'm pretty biased since I'm in my late forties and it was the decade that I started in the sport.

 

maybe.