Which Boxer Had the Longest Prime in Boxing History?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Jaylovesboxing0, Oct 30, 2023.


  1. Jaylovesboxing0

    Jaylovesboxing0 New Member Full Member

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    Hey folks, I’ve been delving into the careers of some legendary boxers lately, Something that caught my curiosity was the longevity of their prime years. Some had a flash of brilliance that burnt out quickly, while others seemed to stay at the top of their game for what feels like ages.

    So it got me wondering, in your opinion, which boxer had the longest prime in boxing history? I’m keen to hear who comes to your mind and why.

    I’d personally say Bernard Hopkins
     
    Jaylovesboxing0, Oct 30, 2023
    Jaylovesboxing0, Oct 30, 2023
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  2. CharlieFirpo85

    CharlieFirpo85 Member Full Member

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    Considering all aspects (time span, fight frequenzy, level of competition, number of title fights etc.)
    On Elite Level i throw in:

    1. Roberto Duran, Julio César Chávez
    2. Sugar Ray Robinson, Thomas Hearns, Archie Moore, Roy Jones Jr

    For HW:
    1. Ali, Louis
    2. Holyfield
    3. Lewis (lost a few, low number of fights), WK (lack of competition)
     
    CharlieFirpo85, Oct 30, 2023
    CharlieFirpo85, Oct 30, 2023
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  3. Terror

    Terror free smoke Full Member

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    Hopkins is not a bad answer and would be mine. Wladimir's whole top-line existence as a titlist felt loooooooooooooong and I can't say I miss him even with all this Tyson Fury bellyaching. Duran is probably the gold standard, KOing DeJesus in 1974, beating SRL in 1980, Cuevas/Davey Moore/close-ish fight with Hagler in 1983, which gives him about 9 truly great years. I don't reckon Duran was great for much longer past that and Hearns sealed him as a top dog but some people seem to enjoy or at least recall his late 80s-90s run.

    Randall Bailey was an interesting guy who would pop up here and there at random times for what seemed like a long time who I wrote off as a one trick pony a lot. Won the WBO in 1999, WBA Interim in 2002, challenged for the WBO in 2003 and 2004, crushes Frankie Fig for the KO of the year and then challenged for the IBF in 2009, and finally wins the IBF in 2012 with a crazy come from behind KO on HBO vs. Mike Jones. 13 years after Bailey's first title having his biggest moment, not a bad "prime." Also speaks to how much a cracking right hand can accomplish in boxing.
     
    Terror, Oct 30, 2023
    Terror, Oct 30, 2023
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  4. jabber74

    jabber74 Active Member Full Member

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    Hopkins.
     
    jabber74, Oct 30, 2023
    jabber74, Oct 30, 2023
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  5. Storm-Chaser

    Storm-Chaser Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Foreman
     
    Storm-Chaser, Oct 30, 2023
    Storm-Chaser, Oct 30, 2023
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  6. heerko koois

    heerko koois Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Mike McCallum
     
    heerko koois, Oct 30, 2023
    heerko koois, Oct 30, 2023
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  7. Eddie Ezzard

    Eddie Ezzard Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Mayweather seems the natural choice to me (1998 - 2015 or so) but Joe Louis and Archie Moore are worth a mention too.

    I think we're trying too hard on this thread. If the answers seem obvious, it's because they are.
     
    Eddie Ezzard, Oct 30, 2023
    Eddie Ezzard, Oct 30, 2023
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  8. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The old Mongoose.
     
    zadfrak, Oct 31, 2023
    zadfrak, Oct 31, 2023
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  9. Contro

    Contro Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Define prime.

    Someone I havent seen mentioned is Evander Holyfield who was a top level operator from 86 to 99 with a style that slowly adapted and refined.
    IMO the hallmarks of a truly declining fighter is how much he gets hit, his reflexes, timing on counterpunching and defensive maneuvers. With Holyfield i didnt see that until about 97, despite everyone calling him shot years earlier due to his weird "health problems" in 94-95.

    His 93 Bowe 2 or 96 Tyson 1 version still beats everyone else he beat before and some of them easier with less of a slugfest.
     
    Contro, Nov 1, 2023
    Contro, Nov 1, 2023
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