Best boxer of the 70's?

The other top MW in the 70s was Valdez. I rank Duran over Monzon and Ali so that's a moot point.

It's not just the layoff in regards to the 60s, Griffith also had the advantage of already being a world class fighter at the start of the 60s, while Ali was just making his debut and didn't become a champ until 1964. Griffith was also extremely active, and fighting world class opposition when being so active. His opposition and activity level in the 60s was simply amazing, and he won most of the fights against other top fighters.

If Ali had beaten Frazier in say, 1968-69, then that would've been huge for his standing in the 60s.

But then again people might just underrate Frazier if that had happened, and the win would get underrated.

 

I see your point, but Griffith was winning and losing fights also...he was not dominating in tbe 60's. Hell of a ww though. Yes, Ali's short run in the 60's beating Liston topped off with a number if defenses is enough to give Ali fighter of the 60's......imo of course.

 

I was going to say Duran, but went with Monzon. Monzon rarley fought on American tv, if he had as much as Duran did he;'d be way more popular.

 

Duran
Monzon
Ali
Arguello
Gomez

 

I think duran actually won the ring fighter of the decade award as well.

 

Roberto Duran was the best p4p fighter of the 70s.

Ali is the only other great of the 70s I might rank over Duran all time but not without including his own prime in the 60s & even then it would be a very close run thing.

 

This.Well done to Cesare for this.
I'm picking Monzon ahead of Arguello and Duran but only because I burst my balls in a debating contest over Shotgun the other week and Ali is kind of in a league of his own that transcends boxing.

What a brilliant thread though.:good

 

Nah, Duran`s style is better viewing & he was a better overall boxer than Monzon anyway, casuals & hardcore alike will more often than not prefer Duran to Monzon.

 

I always forget Sal Sanchez was in the 70s

Duran, then the rest, though.

 

To be fair mate,Chava didn't win the title until 1980,so you can't really put him in this bracket.

 

Hard for me to look past Duran. His lightweight run, from beating Buchanan while he was still quite raw, to the rubber match with de Jesus where he was a complete fighter, was just tremendous.

His destruction of the opposition, while evolving into one of the greatest fighters ever makes him the frontrunner. The win over Palomino was an excellent way to see out the decade - if the SRL fight was 7 months earlier, this wouldn't even be an argument but Duran still takes it.

 

True, his first big step up was Lopez in the early 80s wasn't it? His record was padded til that.

Hope youre doing well buddy :happy

 

You too mate and I'm hoping we can chat tomorrow.
I have to take my youngest on a Saturday though so I'm afraid it's not a live viewing for me.No point in staying up then the pup gets up at 7ish UK time.
These big cards have a habit of running late,and I wouldn't be surprised if it's still going at 6am over here.
Four year olds are pains in the ass when you've had no sleep!:tired

 

And I'm sure you can appreciate the reasons why I went for Monzon here even though I'm not really believing it.:!:

 

Ali
Duran
Monzon

...everyone else.

I rate the above three names in my top 10 ATG list.