BOXING: CHAMPIONS & CONTENDERS (1970 - 1979)

[Zelley]

Like the Sixties before it was an interesting decade with the return of Muhammed Ali
to heavyweight action and a score of many fine champions and contenders.

It saw the likes of John Conteh, Carloz Monzon, Jose Napoles, John Stracey,
Roberto Duran, Carlos Zarate, Alfonso Zamora, and many more.

Along the way there were some interesting and exciting and talented contenders.
Some names to remember include Chris Finnegan, Ron Lyle, Alvaro "Yaqui" Lopes,
Clyde Gray, Bennie Briscoe, Ernie Lopez, Jimmy Young, Mike Quarry. and Art Hafey

I guess heavyweight Jimmy Young could be considered to be an "uncrowed champion"
after being robbed of a victory over Muhammed Ali.

Art Hafey is an interesting case for good Canadian boxers. Hafey faced three world champions
including Ruben Olivares, Alexis Arguello and Danny Lopez. Likely, Hafey's greatest bout was
his stoppage of former bantamweight champion Ruben Olivares in 1973.

[Expug]

Zelley, I enjoy your posts.
Take a look at the West Coast thread that is at the top of the page .It has a sticky.
Guys posting in there who knew some of the guys you mention here.
Youd be a welcome addition too.

[Zelley]

Selection of best fighter of the Seventies is a no contest - ROBERTO DURAN.

[raylawpc]

I'll contest it Zelley: I'd pick Monzon for "fighter of the decade."

[Zelley]

I'll contest it Zelley: I'd pick Monzon for "fighter of the decade."

That's what makes boxing an interesting discussion topic, we can all disagree
without losing the game.

Congratulations on your choice, some may agree with Monzon, but others
would pick Bob Foster

[raylawpc]

I'll contest it Zelley: I'd pick Monzon for "fighter of the decade."

That's what makes boxing an interesting discussion topic, we can all disagree
without losing the game.

Congratulations on your choice, some may agree with Monzon, but others
would pick Bob Foster

It's fun to discuss without "losing the game," as you put it, and being called out in PMs, or referred to as an idiot simply because one happens to disagree.

To follow up, I picked Monzon because - while Duran and Foster also dominated - I felt the middleweights of the 1970s were a slightly deeper division than the lightweights or light-heavyweights. Its hard to choose between those three champions in terms of ability or skill. Each fought with a decidedly different approach (much more so Duran than Monzon and Foster). You throw in Napoles and Ali, and you have a great decade, as all five arguably belong in the top-five-of-all-time in their respective divisions. The 1970s were a great time to be a boxing fan.

If I ranked things like this (and I rarely do, but I will here just to continue the discussion), I'd rank the 1970s top-five as:

1. Monzon
2. Duran
3. Foster
4. Napoles and Ali (tie).

[Zelley]

It's fun to discuss without "losing the game," as you put it, and being called out in PMs, or referred to as an idiot simply because one happens to disagree.

To follow up, I picked Monzon because - while Duran and Foster also dominated - I felt the middleweights of the 1970s were a slightly deeper division than the lightweights or light-heavyweights. Its hard to choose between those three champions in terms of ability or skill. Each fought with a decidedly different approach (much more so Duran than Monzon and Foster). You throw in Napoles and Ali, and you have a great decade, as all five arguably belong in the top-five-of-all-time in their respective divisions. The 1970s were a great time to be a boxing fan.

If I ranked things like this (and I rarely do, but I will here just to continue the discussion), I'd rank the 1970s top-five as:

1. Monzon
2. Duran
3. Foster
4. Napoles and Ali (tie).[/quote]

I can't disagree with the five selected. If we expanded that to include top ten of the
Seventies we would have to consider the following:
Carlos Zarate, and for our British fans let's not forget John Conteh and for
the West Coast crowd in California let's throw Carlos Palomino into the mix.

I think one of the big talking points in those Seventies was selecting the best "Z boy"
Zarate or Zamora.

[raylawpc]

Well, in any top ten of the 1970s, you can't leave out Ruben Olivares.

[Martin Sosa Cameron]

George Foreman


:)

[elmersalsa]

I pick Roberto Duran as the greatest fighter of the 70s...until this day, I have not seen nothing like him.

The best 5 of the 70s:
1. Roberto Duran
2. Carlos Monzon
3. Muhammad Ali
4. Alexis Arguello
5. Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles

Now, that is a great collection of great fighters

[MEISINGER]

hands down roberto duran
no contest in my eyes

[Nile4000]

Between Roberto Duran and Carlos Monzon, with a slight edge to Monzon.