Best of the decade—1970s

[The Balletic Bomber]

Ranking only the best during this decade—

1. Duran
2. Monzon
3. Ali
4. Arguello
5. Napoles
6. Gomez
7. Canto
8. Foster
9. Foreman
10. Frazier

[The Balletic Bomber]

The best win of the decade was Frazier’s defeat of Ali. Ali’s victory over Foreman was the next best.

[elmersalsa]

Ranking only the best during this decade—

1. Duran
2. Monzon
3. Ali
4. Arguello
5. Napoles
6. Gomez
7. Canto
8. Foster
9. Foreman
10. Frazier

You got it right.

[The Balletic Bomber]

Ranking only the best during this decade—

1. Duran
2. Monzon
3. Ali
4. Arguello
5. Napoles
6. Gomez
7. Canto
8. Foster
9. Foreman
10. Frazier

You got it right.

I am still waiting to see 6 thru 20 on your all time list

[The Balletic Bomber]

Ranking only the best during this decade—

1. Duran
2. Monzon
3. Ali
4. Arguello
5. Napoles
6. Gomez
7. Canto
8. Foster
9. Foreman
10. Frazier

You got it right.

Thank you, elmersalsa. You see that I didn’t forget Miguel Canto, the Mexican Willie Pep!

[goose 5]

I would add Ray Leonard, as he became champ in 1979.

[The Balletic Bomber]

I would add Ray Leonard, as he became champ in 1979.

Goose, that’s a good point. A case could be made for Hagler as well, as he was robbed against Antuofermo in 1979. I considered both boxers for my 70’s list.—Mark

[Ambling Alp II]

Can't be Duran at #1. His best win was over Buchanan. That doesn't cut it.

[elmersalsa]

Duran: the best of the 1970s. Bar none!

[tiny_acres]

Duran: the best of the 1970s. Bar none!

I agree. Duran was the best by far of the 70"s

[Ambling Alp II]

He did beat Buchanan, and DeJesus two out of three. How impressive.

[The Balletic Bomber]

He did beat Buchanan, and DeJesus two out of three. How impressive.

Ambling, he dominated the lightweight division and was the decade’s best all around fighter. How would you rank the decade’s ten best fighters?

[Ambling Alp II]

He dominated a not particularly impressive division. He was not the best all around fighter. When the other guy moved, he struggled. Watch his 1975 fight against Viruet. The judges gave him a very iffy decision.
He lost to DeJesus, a good fighter but nothing special. Got decked in their third fight.

Can't have him higher 3rd. Ali had some losses but some huge wins. Monzon had no losses and some good wins. You could even argue Arguello ahead of him. Might move Canto down, but otherwise your list is pretty good.

[elmersalsa]

He dominated a not particularly impressive division. He was not the best all around fighter. When the other guy moved, he struggled. Watch his 1975 fight against Viruet. The judges gave him a very iffy decision.
He lost to DeJesus, a good fighter but nothing special. Got decked in their third fight.

Can't have him higher 3rd. Ali had some losses but some huge wins. Monzon had no losses and some good wins. You could even argue Arguello ahead of him. Might move Canto down, but otherwise your list is pretty good.

to the Duran's haters

[Ambling Alp II]

Yep there we go again. Actually using the same criteria with Duran that we use on everyone else. What gall.

Instead of saying something brilliant like: "Duran: the best of the 1970s. Bar none!"

[tiny_acres]

54-1 in the 70's
Only loss was in 1972 just 3 years into his career.
13-0 in lightweight title fights in the decade
12 title defenses
No one comes close to his accomplishments in the 70's

[Ambling Alp II]

Give me names, not numbers.

[elmersalsa]

Give me names, not numbers.

WTKO10 Ernesto "Nato" Marcel: Marcel beat the great Alexis Arguello in a title defense in Panama City in 1974. He retires undefeated champion after the fight.

WTKO13 Ken Buchanan: Buchanan was considered as the best pound per pound fighter of the time. He already won the Scottish, British Empire and World Lightweight championships. He beat Ismael Laguna, an all-time Lightweight great. Buchanan is one of the top 20 greatest lightweights, believe it or not. He later won the European Lightweight championship when he beat Jim Watt.

WTKO8 Hector Thompson: Thompson was a rough and tough opponent that gave Duran one of his toughest fights. He was Australian Jr. Welterweight and Lightweight Champion.

WTKO8 Guts Ishimatsu: He was WBC World Lightweight Champion. He beat Ken Buchanan and Rodolfo "Gato" Gonzalez

WKO11 Esteban De Jesus: DeJesus took Duran's undefeated record. After that, Duran did not lose in 41 straight bouts. De Jesus was in a 18-fight win streak at the time. Not impressed? Well, he won the Puerto Rican, NABF and WBC World Lightweight Championships. That means, like Buchanan, he was champion in all levels of pro competition.

W10 Saoul Mamby: Mamby became WBC World Lightweight Champion.

WKO13 Vilomar Fernandez: Fernandez later beat the great Alexis Arguello by Unanimous Decision in 10 rounds.

W10 Carlos Palomino: Duran proved that he was a force at Welterweight by dominating the former WBC Welterweight Champion by decision in 10 rounds. Palomino was good enough that defended his title 8 times.

So, Duran in the 70s decade beat some formidable and fantastic opposition. He reigned for 7 years as World Lightweight Champion and made 12 title defenses. Eleven of them by knockout. The first 12 championship fights, Duran won all his fights by knockout.

The Super Bantamweight, nor featherweight nor the jr. Lightweight and not even the Jr Welterweight champion King wanted anything with Duran. So, Manos de Piedra had to jump to 2 weight classes to get a decent fight?

By the end of the 70s decade, Duran was already considered by the American media as the greatest Lightweight of all time, bar none! Had he retired, he was considered an all-time pound per pound great and a hall of fame boxer.

[Ambling Alp II]

Yeah, that really compares to beating Foreman, Frazier, Lyle, Norton, Quarry, etc.
Or Griffith, Bevenuti, Napoles, Briscoe, and Valdez.

[tiny_acres]

Yeah, that really compares to beating Foreman, Frazier, Lyle, Norton, Quarry, etc.
Or Griffith, Bevenuti, Napoles, Briscoe, and Valdez.

And Ali list to Frazier Norton and Spinks in the 70's. Plus controversial wins over Norton twice and Young.
Monzon would be my number 2 of the 70's Ali third

[Tony1244]

He did beat Buchanan, and DeJesus two out of three. How impressive.

Ambling, he dominated the lightweight division and was the decade’s best all around fighter. How would you rank the decade’s ten best fighters?

AA is not a Duran fan. Arguably Duran's best win was 6 months after the 70s.

[Ambling Alp II]

Yeah, that really compares to beating Foreman, Frazier, Lyle, Norton, Quarry, etc.
Or Griffith, Bevenuti, Napoles, Briscoe, and Valdez.

And Ali list to Frazier Norton and Spinks in the 70's. Plus controversial wins over Norton twice and Young.
Monzon would be my number 2 of the 70's Ali third

Ali was better from 1970-1975. Duran from 1976-1979.
The quality of opponents is huge.
Duran had a "controversial win" over Viruet that is always swept under the rug.
You know it's desperate when names like Hector Thompson and Guts Ishimatsu come up.

[Ambling Alp II]

He did beat Buchanan, and DeJesus two out of three. How impressive.

Ambling, he dominated the lightweight division and was the decade’s best all around fighter. How would you rank the decade’s ten best fighters?

AA is not a Duran fan. Arguably Duran's best win was 6 months after the 70s.

"Arguably" his best win? I am assuming you are saying this tongue and cheek.

[Tony1244]

Ambling, he dominated the lightweight division and was the decade’s best all around fighter. How would you rank the decade’s ten best fighters?

AA is not a Duran fan. Arguably Duran's best win was 6 months after the 70s.

"Arguably" his best win? I am assuming you are saying this tongue and cheek.

Ok, it was his best win. But beating DeJesus twice and Buchanan was nothing to sneeze at. Wouldn't you at least say he was an all-time top 5 lightweight?

[Ambling Alp II]

Nothing to sneeze at; but they are nowhere near Foreman and Frazier.
Yes he is a top 5 lightweight, no doubt about it.