70's heavies v 90's heavies ?

The 1970s, however... I think in terms of physical attributes (probably more significant here than any other division through the passage of time), skill and ability, the 1990s hold up quite well. Unfortunately, a few monster fights just didn't come off.

 

I saw alot of 90s fight compared to 70s, some good fight in the 90s and guys were in reasonable shape comming in most times. I cant say which is better as i seen more of 90s era.

 

The 70's post Rumble in the Jungle were not that great. Ali was largely defending against a bunch of bums and/or fighters on the decline. A guy named Leon was able to take the title with 7 fights under his belt. A glimmer of hope finally arose in 79 with Holmes-Norton but that was just a glimmer. The 90's were strong from end to end.

 

I voted for the 70's, but both eras are neck and neck. Two awesome eras with some exremely great fighters.

 

Overall, the 90's... but there were more memorable fights in the 70's.

Ali
Holmes
Foreman
Frazier
Norton
Young
Lyle
Quarry
Shavers
Patterson
Ellis

...it gets pretty bad after this bunch

Holyfield
Lewis
Bowe
Tyson
Holmes
Foreman
Tua
Ibeabuchi
V. Klitschko
W. Klitschko
Byrd
Moorer
McCall
Mercer
Maskaev
Rahman
Morrison
Grant
Hide
Witherspoon

...and a few more

The problem with the 90's guys was that they didn't fight each other, except for Holyfield. Holyfield fought Bowe x3, Lewis x2, Tyson x2, Holmes, Foreman, Byrd, Moorer, and Rahman among others. Yes, some of those fights were in the 21st century.

 

70ties. early 70ties ali, frazier and foreman where top of the bill. late 70ties holmes. also norton in the 70ties. lets add lyle and quarry
top of the 90ties holyfield, lewis, bowe, tyson ??, tua, mccall ?, ruddock.

i think the first 7 outrank the last mentioned 7

 

Tyson is regularly listed as being a top member of the 90's era. While I do think he should be included, it should also be noted that his record for the decade was 9-3. And some of those wins include guys like Peter McNeeley, Henry Tillman and Mathis Jr. He also has a loss to Douglas in there as well plus a four year leave of abscence. He was still a solid player or at least at points during the period. But for me the top dogs of the 90's were Holyfield, Lewis, and Bowe .

 

Exactly, Tysons name basically kept him in it after prison

 

The 70's will always be remembered fondly, but the 90's had more potential. Quarry was considered one of the best in the 70's but he was miles behind Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Holmes, and Norton. I also feel that Lyle surpassed him after his decision loss to Quarry. Young was clearly better than Quarry.

Now look at the 90's. Holyfield, Lewis, and Bowe were very good and would hold their own vs. Ali, Foreman, Holmes (more of an 80's HW), and company. When you look at the rest, the 90's fighters were clearly better. We saw power and durability in fighters like Tua, Mercer, and McCall. Ruddock and Morrison were very explosvie, Morrison's chin was not the best. These 4 match up well vs. the likes of Young, Lyle, Quarry, and Shavers. Then you have Ibeubuchi, Byrd, Moorer, and others. Don't forget that Tyson, Holmes, and Foreman did some good things in the 90's as well. Even Witherspoon was still dangerous in the 90's. A slightly faded Tyson and old versions of Holmes and Foreman would match up well vs. Frazier and Norton.

 

The 70's, and of course as a boxing fan I do love them, do get the rose-colored glasses treatment, which is pretty natural.

However, Moorer-Cooper or Tua-Ibeabuchi were as good if not better than a legendary shoot-out like Foreman-Lyle, and both showed a lot more skill and more ability. Hell, even Morrison-Hipp was a great fire fight.

 

I agree with some of Hookie's point but not all of them.. Old Holmes would get his ass kicked by primer versions of Norton and Frazier. asside from that and a few other things, I do concur that the 90's had a bit more depth. Once we stepped outside of the elite in the 70's the pickings started getting pretty poor, especially in the fringe ranks. The 90's had better prospects, fringe contenders and journeyman than those of the 70's.

 

If Tyson hadn't gone to prison then the 90s would top the 70s.

70s had better heavyweights and fiercer competition but the 90s had a greater volume of talent.

 

A '70s boxer won a belt in the '90s last time I checked.

 

Terry Daniels, Ron Stander, Jose Roman, Alfredo Evangelista, Richard Dunn, Chuck Wepner,Jean-Pierre Coopman, Bob Foster, a 37 year old Patterson all competed for title belts in the 70's.

90's Foreman was an anomaly, a bad match-up for a select group of fighters. He could look bad against B-raters like Morrison and Stewart (and even Moorer) but then pull out a victory with his durability and power.