Fighters that dominated strong eras?

I never was a big fan of the classic(Steward version oversized) Lewis but he could dominate an incredible strong-maybe the strongest heavyweight- era. He was lucky but he could rule the division.

 

I'll be glad to compromise here and say the first half of the decade.

 

Lewis is a good call.

Masks is a no brainer.

 

The heavyweights are a different type. The dominating guys there in the last 10-15 years were bigger than most of their challengers. Lennox or Vlad had size advantages for most guys. That is a big advantage, and Steward knew how to use the size to win. He could improve anyone.

 

I would say likely NO, and have done many times.

I'm not sure crack-head McCall, Briggs, Grant, Mavrovic, Akinwande, Rahman (who went 1-1), Golota, Botha and old Tyson even constitute a "strong era".

Holyfield was past his prime in 1999, but he's admittedly a strong opponent, a great fighter still quite capable. Tua probably makes the grade as a strong contender based on his serious power. Vitali is up there too but Lewis didn't really dominate him at all, if that matters.

If we extend Lewis's resume/era back to include 1992-1996, he's got a few more good wins,but also a loss to McCall, a razor close win against Mercer .... and the likes of Bowe, Holyfield, 1996 Tyson, were much bigger factors then than later on ... so Lewis was even less dominant that stage.

 

Where is Archie Moore placed?

 

Honorable mention: Tyson wasn't old and he was younger than Lewis.Golota who outclassed Bowe two times was another
very good win.
All in all i think an era with fighters like Lewis, reigning champion Holyfield,still dangerous Tyson, prime Vitali Klitschko and lots of decent athlete must be a strong era.
I don't know another era when Lewis,Holyfield,Tyson and Vitali quality fighters competed in same time.
But can you say a stronger heavyweight era ? I doubt it.
Lewis beat the reigning champion Holyfield , shot but dangerous Tyson and the prime Vitali Klitschko and he beat lots of actually decent/good fighters like Mason,Ruddock,Tucker,Bruno,Mercer, ,McCall,Akinwande,Golota,Tua,Rahman,Briggs,Mavrovic. Who has more impressive list in the history of the heavyweight division?

 

The bringing up of Moore actually reminds us of someone worthy of some serious exploration in this thread. Someone too often forgotten.

Ezzard Charles - From 1946 to latter 1951 he lost one controversial decision (against a heavyweight while Ezzard himself was still fighting below 175) which was convincingly avenged inside of 12 months. He actually beat Walcott twice before Walcott eventually came back and ended Charles ridiculously strong run.

Some victims in this all time run just to name a few -

Archie Moore x 3
Lloyd Marshall x 2
Jimmy Bivins x 3
Joey Maxim x 2
Joe Walcott x 2
Joe Louis
Gus Lesnevich
Pat Valentino

Insane stuff, particularly below heavyweight or on the fringes of it.

 

Brilliant call

 

Cheers mate.

 

Great call John, I didn't think of Charles oddly. Kind of proves your point.

 

Laciar had a strong run from 80 to 87 against excellent comp other than a close loss to the brilliantly gifted Ibarra and being robbed against Magri. Beat the likes of Zapata, Herrera, Gonzalez, Mathebula, Roman etc while the WBC flyweight title was changing hands every other fight.