When was the heyday of U.S amateur boxing?

Impossible to answer really because the best us amateur system, does not correlate with an era in which the amateurs had a worldwide system in which to compete. If we only consider the time in which amateur boxing was global than probably the 1970s with the 1976 olympic team being their height.

 

The best era was 1968 to 1979.

 

From 1968 to 1979, the roll call of National AAU Champs was just ridiculous.

The National AAU champions in those years included: George Foreman, Ron Lyle, Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks (three times), Michael Dokes, Greg Page, Tony Tubbs, Tony Tucker, Marvin Johnson, Marvin Hagler, Mike McCallum, Sugar Ray Leonard (several times), Thomas Hearns, Carlos Palomino, Donald Curry, Aaron Pryor, Hilmer Kenty, Howard Davis Jr., Rocky Lockridge, Armando Muniz, Sugar Ray Seales ...

Also, some National Golden Gloves winners not on that AAU list during that period were: Michael Spinks, Leo Randolph, Marvis Frazier, Wilford Scypion, Curtis Parker, Bernard Taylor ...

And you had guys coming close but not winning the national championships, like Larry Holmes (lost to Nick Wells), John Tate (lost to James Chapman).

It was a pretty stellar time period.

 

Our greatest team was probably '84 though. Even better than '76.

 

The opposition at the games was weaker though. Soviets and Cubans boycotted L.A.

 

I agree. Even though there were boycotts I believe most of the guys who won gold would've won gold anyways.

'76 and '84 seem to be the cream of the crop in amateur America.

 

1984 had Whitaker (gold), Taylor (gold), Breland (gold), Tate (gold) Hill (silver), Holyfield (bronze), who all became professional world champions. At least two of them are bona fide all-time greats. Breland was probably the least accomplished of those five as a pro, but one of the greatest US amateurs ever without a doubt.

Also winning gold were Paul Gonzales, Steve McCrory, Jerry Page, Henry Tillman and Tyrell Biggs.

 

1984 was probably the best team..

from 1964 to 1984 the best country in AM boxing

 

Nick Wells KOd Leroy Jones for the 72 AAU Heavyweight crown

 

Mid 1970's-mid 1980's

 

there was a Soviet/Cuba/Eastern Block boycott, though

'76 team accomplishments is more impressive because all of the above were there. You had an African boycot because of SA, but that probably didn't affect many medal matches.

You can theorize that the '84 team would have still done great if there was no boycot, but you can't prove they would have. Meanwhile, we know what the '76 team was able to do against said powers Soviet Union/Cuba/Eastern Bloc.

 

Excellent point. Can't argue with that logic.Because everyone knew the Cuba fighters were amateurs in name only. And without their presence puts a shadow on the 84 team.. But I do believe the 84 team could've been just as successful. But we will never know.

 

I'm going with the 76 team.