Heavyweight- 1969-1978
Lightheavyweight - 1942-1951 (but it was still great for several more years after 1951.)
Middleweight 1951-1960 (but it was great a few years before 1951 and a few years after 1960)
Welterweight-1931-1940
Lightweight -1930-1939
Featherweight- 1942-1951
Bantamweight - 1917-1926
Flyweight- 1955-1964
Heavyweight: 1959-1969, closely followed by 1928-1938 (70s heavyweights are over-rated in terms of overall depth, 20s and 30s severely under-rated in that regard)
This is a very interesting topic. I am surprised that more people have not commented.
Not going to get into the 1970s not even being #2, I think we are way too far apart on this to bother discussing.
I never would have thought of the Bantamweights of the 1930s; maybe I have been underrating them. I thought the bantams were better from around 1917-1926 (Kid Williams, Herman, Johnny Buff, Joe Lynch, Abe Goldstien, Eddie "Cannonball" Martin, Rosenberg)
Middleweights from 1917-1927 were pretty good. I think we are pretty close with the lightweights and welterweights.
Surely there are some eras worth a mention by someone?
The Featherweights from the mid 70s to mid to late 80s was pretty amazing…
The 5 boxers listed at the top are as good as any you’ll see in the sport. Olivares and Gomez gave their best at other weight divisions but are still absolute legends. Lopez is loved by everyone and was a terrific fighter.
Arguello
Sanchez
Pedroza
Nelson
Fenech
Olivares
Lopez
Gomez
McGuigan
Taylor
LaPorte
Lockridge
Cowdell
Villasana
Castillo
Esparragoza
Grove
Mitchell
A lot of good to great fighters here. If you had pick a ten-year period, you would have elimiate a few. If you go say 1974-1983, you wouldn't be able to include guys like Grove and Mitchell. If you went later, say 1978-1987, you wouldn't include Olivares .
Still no matter what exact years you choose, there would be a lot of depth.
Ambling Alp wrote:This is a very interesting topic. I am surprised that more people have not commented...
I never would have thought of the Bantamweights of the 1930s; maybe I have been underrating them. I thought the bantams were better from around 1917-1926 (Kid Williams, Herman, Johnny Buff, Joe Lynch, Abe Goldstien, Eddie "Cannonball" Martin, Rosenberg)...
See "The Golden Bantams" article by Ted Carroll from the December 1953 The Ring.
Thanks for posting that Ric.
There were a lot of really good fighters that have been all but forgotton. It was interesting reading the article about how bantamweights used to get more attention. Also interesting to remember that McLarnin and Canzoneri were top bantamweights at one time. (I believe McLarnin actually started out at flyweight)
Heavyweight: 1970 to 1980
Cruiserweight: 1980 to 1990
Light-Heavyweight: 1946 to 1956
Super Middleweight: 1989 to 1999...That era could have been much better if Roy Jones, Jr would have fought the likes of Nigel Benn, Michael Nunn and Chris Eubank
Middleweight: 1950 to 1960...One of the weight classes that defined the golden era of boxing.
Welterweight: 1950 to 1960...Another weight class that defined the golden era of boxing
Jr Welterweight: 1960 to 1970
Lightweight: 1940 to 1950...Greats like Ike Williams, Beau Jack, Sammy Angott, Bob Montgomery and Lew Jenkins defined the era.
Jr. Lightweight: 1973 to 1983....Who can forget Kuniaki Shibata, Alfredo Escalera, Bobby Chacon and the great Alexis Arguello?
Featherweight: 1940 to 1950...Probably the best weight class of the decade alongside the lightweight division.
Super Bantamweight: 1996 to 2006...Marco Antonio Barrera, Junior Jones, Erik Morales and company...Don't forget Kennedy McKenney
Bantamweight: 1969 to 1979...The arrival of great Mexican champs like Ruben Olivares, Carlos Zarate, Alfonso Zamora and Lupe Pintor...Nothing like it.
Jr. Bantamweight: 1980 to 1990
Flyweight: 1960 to 1970
Jr Flyweight: 1990 to 2000...In the 90s, Michael Carbajal was the biggest star of that weight class
Strawweight: 1990 to 2000...The era of the great Ricardo "Finito" Lopez
Honorary mention
The lightweights from 1970 to 1980
the welterweights from 1979 to 1989
and the heavyweights of the Tyson era: 1986 to 1996
I forgot to mention the superwelterweights from 1990 to 2000. It was the era of Terry Norris. The superwelterweight era from 1980 to 1990 was also very good.
Earlier I had picked 1975-1984 as Honorable Mention. It was loaded. You had really skillful champions like Spinks, Mustapha Muhammad, and Galindez. Qawi was a force of nature. You also had Saad Muhammad and Marvin Johnson who had a lot of heart. John Conteh was a really good fighter. There was also a lot of very good contenders like Jerry Martin, James Scott, Richie Kates, Yaqui Lopez, Eddie Davis and Murray Sutherland. I am sure I am leaving somebody out.
Yep, that's right guys: Matt Franklin was just a caveman with a big punch and a never-say-die attitude. No skills at all. Just another Rocky Graziano or Mickey Ward. Same with Hagler, just another brawler, as the Youtube highlights of his bouts with Leonard and Hearns attest to. Oh, and Ray Leonard ducked Aaron Pryor.
