Where do you rate Jimmy Young in 70s era?

Was one of the better Heavyweights in that era. Just not quite on the Ali Frazier level etc.

 

I don't think Ali was that hard to beat once he got the last Frazier fight out of the way. Ali never convincingly beat a good fighter ever again. It could make contenders Norton, shavers and Young look better than they were. Spinks was the same level on less than ten fights.

 

Last of the independent fighters at heavy that was real good. Hard to win decisions in the sport when a guy is not aligned to a major promoter. So he was never the beneficiary of a hometown advantage/softer opponent selections/top trainer/etc.

That's a lot of things lots of other guys have taken for granted. The toughest road to negotiate and he did it well for a nice 2 or 3 year run. Tough tough style to stay at the top with requiring lots of dedication and conditioning.

I have a soft spot for the fighters with great boxing radar. and that's what he had.

 

All good points. It's hard when you are outside looking in and there is nobody with the financial clout lining up stiffs in the beginning for you.