Is this the oldest era in the historyof heavyweight boxing?

The front page article about Shannon Briggs winning another fight, i have to ask, is this the oldest era in boxing ever? I mean it seems that every contender is on the wrong side of 30, and it is getting to the stage where the wrong side of 40 is becoming the norm.

Like it or not, someone like Holyfield, is currently one of the best fighters in the world. Briggs, Tua, Maskaev, Rahman, Toney, Vitali etc are all ancient (at least it seems) and all are top 30 and to be honest probably much better. Some of those are probably better or as good now (in relation to their legitimate world ranking, not their skill)as they ever were in their prime.

Can anyone think of other eras where so many old fighters were considered the ones to beat, or is it just me and this is nothing out of the ordinary.

 

Sullivan - Retired by mid 30s, past prime by 30.
Corbett - Lost title early 30s, Retired as top contender in mid 30s. (35/36)
Fitzimmons (freak of nature) - World middleweight champ at 30, World Champion and not fighting! for his 35th year, World light heavyweight Champ at 40, Past Prime (but still fought a world ranked contender when he was 46)at 45, Not fighting at 50, but only because the New York state commission wouldnt let him. He still Kod fighters after this date! Though we dont know what level they were at. Died before his 55th birthday.

I was going to look at every champion to get a starting point, but i really have to digest that phenomal record of Fitzy's. He has astounded me once again.