Muhammad Ali.
Joe Frazier.
George Foreman.
Larry Holmes.
Sugar Ray Leonard.
Tommy Hearns.
Roberto Duran.
Wilfred Benitez.
Salvador Sanchez.
Aaron Pryor.
Carlos Monzon.
There were also some historic fights such as The Rumble in the Jungle and The Thrilla in Manila.
There have been great fighters and fights in all decades but you could make a strong case for the 70's being the best.
The 1980s was also a great decade. The Heavyweight division was not nearly as good not even close. However 2 great heavyweight champs came out of the decade Larry Holmes is a top 5 and Mike Tyson is a bottom top 10. The men who ruled this decade were the lighter weights Marvin Hagler Tommy Hearns Ray Leonard and even Roberto Duran. Duran was his greatest in the 1970s but had some classic and memorable bouts as well beating Leonard June 1980 Davey Moore June 1983 and Iran Barkley February 1989. Throughout history the heavyweight division other than in the 1970s was never really a great great divison. The Middleweight divison and Lightweight divisions of the 1980s were outstanding. Hagler ruled the middleweight division as champ from 1980-87. Mustafa Hamsho could have been champ in another lesser era. Julio Cesar Chavez also came out of the 1980s and was already known to the boxing public at this time. Boxing has really gone downhill in the last 10 years and now Mixed Martial Arts has passed it by. The heavyweight champ used to be the most recogonized and respected title in all sports now nobody knows who the heavyweight champ is and whats more nobody even cares.It is a shame. I used to be a boxing fanatic in the 1980s and 1990s. I do not even watch it anymore.
The 70s is one of my favorite decade heavyweight wise, it was a strong era for that division. It was also the decade Roberto Duran began his illustrous run as lightweight champ, and Alexis Arguello began his stunning career, and Ruben "The explosive thin man" Olivares,Aaron Pryor, Sugar Ray Leonard was starting out, the Spinks brothers were starting out at lightheavyweight and heavyweight, Larry Holmes was beginning his career and future domination of the heavyweight divisions, allot of good boxers at the lightweight as well. This was a well rounded decade, I can't think of any other names now, too many to list, but it seems that every division was strong
Probably the emergence of Ray Leonard as champion as the decade was about to close, The loss of Ali to Spinks, the 76 Olympics, and, of course, the legend that's Roberto Duran.
Agreed, the 70's were a peak for boxing, and like life eveything has it's ups and downs.
The 1970's is one of my favorite decades for boxing. It seams like every division was loaded.
Mathew Saad Muhammad vs anyone, The Z boys, And let's not forget probably the best decade in history for the heavies.
Other decades come close. Any thoughts or favorite moments in the 70's that you'd like to share?
PS: The 21st century has started out darn good too. Boxing will never die. Sometimes it just runs in cycles.
