Were the 70s really the golden era of boxing? Many people consider the 1970s to be the golden era of boxing, but why? Is this claim based on facts, or is it just perception? One possible reason is that boxing was televised worldwide during that time, and most people had a TV at home. Plus, the sport had iconic figures like Muhammad Ali, a true showman with incredible charisma. However, I believe boxing was actually more popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Back then, being the heavyweight champion was the pinnacle of all sports, even above football or baseball. And it wasn’t just in the U.S. There were also boxers from all over the world.. So, if the 1930s and 1940s had more boxing clubs and less competition from other sports, why do people still consider the 70s the best era of boxing? Was it just because of television? Or is it the perception that fighters from that era were more skilled, with fancy movements and a more entertaining style? What do you think?
Its because they look better on film. Frazier looks better on film than any 30's or 40's heavyweight except Louis. I mean Schmeling was excellent. But other than having a better counter right hand, Frazier did most things better. Frazier was physically stronger, better at cutting off the ring vs movers, had a far superior left hook, was a better body puncher, and never struggled with the likes of Jack Sharkey for example. Boxing may have had immense popularity in the States in the 30's and 40's and even Internationally. But i believe the International competition was stronger in the 70's. I mean you have Joe Bugner (UK), Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa), etc. fighting in the 70's. IMO Holmes, Foreman and Frazier are significantly better than any 30's or 40's heavyweight not named Joe Louis. I like Walcott and Schmeling but Holmes/Foreman/Frazier are considerably ahead.
The 90s had far more names, the 70s had iconic names. The guys at the top were more memorable, but the 90s had far more contenders.
In HW. In the whole sport its just another era. We just had a thread where people are debating whether Thomas Hearns would run the table against Bob Fosters competition. So the level of respect for the 70s isn't across the board its just at HW. Boxings popularity is not a factor in the 70s being considered the best. If anything boxing being more popular would be a reason it'd be inflated like the 90s is.
Only issue is 90's guys, with some exceptions, did not fight each other when those fights mattered. Lewis-Bowe 92, Tyson-Holyfield circa 91-92, Holyfield-Lewis circa early 90's. Ali and Frazier fought each other twice when both men were still performing at a very high level. Lewis and Holyfield fought twice when the latter was less than a year away from struggling vs Ruiz. 90's may have had more depth overall but due to certain fights not happening when they mattered the most, no way can i rank it ahead of the 70's.
I think it might have been the golden era of the heavyweight division. I can’t say for sure if it was the golden era of “ boxing in general. “
It was the golden heavyweight era, in the sense that the top guys competed against each other, the fighters were charismatic, and the fights were accessible. This doesn't mean that they'd beat the modern guys in a time machine bout, though. And if the Saudis keep doing what they're doing, we may catch up on the accessibility and competition front.
Only the hws was considered a golden era. As far as "why," just look @ the names. Ali Foreman Frazier Holmes Norton ... & those were just the uppermost echelon.
Hi Buddy. You sure it was only the HWs : Fly - Ohba Canto Gonzalez Borkhosor Featherweight Legra Jofre Marcel Saldivar Middleweight Monzon Valdez Briscoe Lightweight- Duran De Jesus Bantamweights- Olivares Martinez Pimentel Castillo Not a bad bunch.... stay safe Bolo, like your posts immensely, chat soon buddy.
Wasn't the 70-s when boxing exploded globally? You had over a billion people watching Ali take on Foreman.
Which would be what you'd expect in an era where the middle of the bell curve trended smaller. More little guys = more good little guys.
