How Strong would You Say, The Middleweight Division Was In the 1950 s?

Boxing people in the 1950 and 60s generally felt the sport was being ruined by TV. Weekly fights on the tube killed the fight clubs and that eventually began drying up the talent pool because there was less demand and guys were hard-pressed to make a living at boxing.

 

Frankly, I feel it is a great era but a bit overrated. A glut of B-level talent for sure.Ray was still sharp at the turn of the decade but visibly past it on his comeback. Olson and Fullmer don't do much for me. Basilio was a natural welter who could hang with an old Ray. Turpin always seemed a great 'what if' fighter who underachieved as much as Basilio overachieved. I know it was a glamor era with all the TV fights but as someone pointed out earlier that's the same reason contemporary's viewed it as a decline in the sport.

 

At some point, Lausse should have gotten a shot at the world title. It's too bad he didn't

 

I kinda used it to display how badly I want my sport to be even somewhat of what it was like back then, but I wish to be born when I was born, didn't mean it seriously.

All things you mentioned (internet, film of old timers, etc.), I would give up in a second, if I could watch lots of great fights on tv, or have the chance to catch some the greatest fighters that ever lived, Live, etc.

I grew up in the 80's, but remember fights being on tv in the early 70's, I was 5 or so. What I think I really miss most is being able to have boxing conversations with almost anyone, we didn't need the internet and posting on websites for that. There were loads of people who loved our beloved sport, and our sport deserved the love.