Best Fighters Of The 1970s

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022.


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  1. Mteslamiller

    Mteslamiller Member Full Member

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    In my humble opinion, these are the best fighters of the 1970s—-

    1. Roberto Duran
    2. Carlos Monzon
    3. Muhammad Ali
    4. Alexis Arguello
    5. Jose Napoles
    6. Wilfredo Gomez
    7. Miguel Canto
    8. Bob Foster
    9. George Foreman
    10. Joe Frazier

    These are based only on what occurred during the decade. Note: Ali is ranked from 1970 to 1975, as he was badly fading near the decade’s end.
    I would appreciate your opinions please.
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
    #1
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  2. Mteslamiller

    Mteslamiller Member Full Member

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    If I include the 1960s, I would rank Frazier over Foreman.
     
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
    #2
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  3. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    Looks a pretty fine list to me!
     
    Jel, May 15, 2022
    Jel, May 15, 2022
    #3
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  4. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    I totally agree with you, I could have not said it any better, good post.
     
    Richard M Murrieta, May 15, 2022
    Richard M Murrieta, May 15, 2022
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  5. Bronze Tiger

    Bronze Tiger Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think Ali should be No. 1 …but it’s a good list
     
    Bronze Tiger, May 15, 2022
    Bronze Tiger, May 15, 2022
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  6. Eddie Ezzard

    Eddie Ezzard Boxing Addict Full Member

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    That pretty much covers it, Mark. Zarate had an amazing record in the 70s as did Ruben Olivares. A 70s list without representation from a Mexican bantamweight seems unjust but I can't see an obvious name in your top ten who should make room for them.

    How's about I take your list and add another ten all the way to top 20? What do you think? It's off the top of my head and I'm not well versed on the little guys so I may have missed some obvious names.

    11. Ruben Olivares
    12. Carlos Zarate
    13. Antonio Cervantes
    14. Matthew Saad Muhammad
    15. Larry Holmes
    16. Danny Lopez
    17. Victor Galindez
    18. Rodrigo Valdez
    19. Marvin Hagler
    20. Wilfred Benitez
     
    Eddie Ezzard, May 15, 2022
    Eddie Ezzard, May 15, 2022
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  7. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Gotta have Zárate in there IMO.

    Also, Jofre was 24-0 in the 70’s, won the feather title too. I think he’s deserving too.
     
    ChrisJS, May 15, 2022
    ChrisJS, May 15, 2022
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  8. Fogger

    Fogger Father, grandfather and big sports fan. Full Member

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    This is a very good list and it shows the quality at the top of the 1970s rankings. I just have one quibble. I can't possibly put George Foreman and his two title defenses ahead of Ruben Olivares and a few others.
     
    Fogger, May 15, 2022
    Fogger, May 15, 2022
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  9. Eddie Ezzard

    Eddie Ezzard Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The most obvious omission on my list. Apologies, Chris (and Eder).
     
    Eddie Ezzard, May 15, 2022
    Eddie Ezzard, May 15, 2022
    #9
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  10. Mteslamiller

    Mteslamiller Member Full Member

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    Thanks Jel!
     
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
    #10
  11. Mteslamiller

    Mteslamiller Member Full Member

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    I rank Ali only from 1970 to 1975. He was fading badly thereafter. I edited my first post and made the same statement.
     
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
    #11
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  12. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    With all due respect Marvelous Marvin Hagler was not World Middleweight Champion until Sept 27 1980.
     
    Richard M Murrieta, May 15, 2022
    Richard M Murrieta, May 15, 2022
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  13. Mteslamiller

    Mteslamiller Member Full Member

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    Eddie, Olivares and Zarate could even go into the top 10 with justification. I like your 11 -20. Making these lists means leaving out some outstanding fighters, so it can be tough. Hagler was one of the decades best and should have been crowned in 1979 vs Antuofermo. THAT was the robbery. Larry Holmes became one of the best of the next decade and Saad Muhammad became legendary for taking poundings early in fights and then coming back in dramatic fashion to demolish his opponents.
     
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
    #13
  14. Mteslamiller

    Mteslamiller Member Full Member

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    Olivares definitely was one of the decades best . He may well have been a better choice than Foreman.
     
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
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  15. Mteslamiller

    Mteslamiller Member Full Member

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    Chris, I always think of him as a 1960s fighter. You’re right that he was great in the 1970s as well.
     
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 15, 2022
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    ChrisJS likes this.
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