I think so. But I also think that Gene Fullmer is a better fighter than Thulani Malinga so what do I know?
Seems like most of the top light heavyweights and, in particular, the middleweights middleweights of the 30's, with the exception of Conn and Steele (who, rightfully, has been getting his due more the last few years) fly under the radar. Not having a dominant champ to hang the era's collective hat on probably hurts it, but the lack of a long-reigning, dominant champ has more to do with the insane depth of that decade more than anything.