BoxRec

Who was REALLY the greatest fighter of the 80s?

Mike Tyson: "Iron Mike"Burst into the scene reviving the heavyweight division since the Ali era. Won 37 fights in the decade and never lost a fight in the era. 20 of his 34 KOs were in the first round. Cleaned up the heavyweight division by dismantling almost every foe that came his way.
Defining fight: WKO1 Michael Spinks...June 28th, 1988...Figth took only 91 seconds!

Sugar Ray Leonard: "Sugar Ray", The media darling of the Montreal Olympics. Won 6 titles in 5 different weight classes. Revived the sport of boxing after the Ali's boxing exit. Changed the game in the lower-weight classes like never before in which his fights with the greats Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns were classic multi-million dollar paydays. Something unheard of at the time. Became undisputed champion in 1981 by defeating Hearns in a classic. Had ONLY 1 defeat in the decade against Duran, but avenged the defeat 5 months later. After 5 years out of the ring, took the middleweight title from Marvin Hagler...Went 10-1-1 with 8KOs in the decade
Defining Fight: WTKO14 Thomas Hearns...September 16th, 1981...Two of the all-time greats at their very best gave us a classic war...Leonard with eye almost shut, rallyied and became undisputed champ

Marvin Hagler:Won the undisputed middleweight title in 1980 and defended successfully 12 times in 7 years. Defended the crown against the very best, taking all comers. Have wins over Roberto Duran, John Mugabi, Alan Minter, Mustapha Hamsho and Vito Antuofermo among others. Won 16 fights in the decade in which 13 of them, were for the world title. His record in the decade was 16-1, 15KOs
Defining Fight: WTKO3 Thomas Hearns...April 15th, 1985...In one of the greatest thrilling bouts in history, Hagler became "MARVELOUS" in a breath taking performance.

Julio Cesar Chavez: "JC Superstar" gave us more the following decade, but we cannot discount what he did in the 80s. He was the most underrated fighter of the 4. Won 67 fights in the decade and 4 world titles in 3 different weight classes. Beat Mario Martinez, Roger Mayweather, Ruben Castillo, Jose Luis Ramirez, and Rocky Lockridge, a very underrated group of excellent fighters. Like Tyson, was NEVER beaten in the 80s
Defining Fight: WTKO11 Edwin "Chapo" Rosario...November 21, 1987...Even though the fight with Meldrick Taylor was in the next decade, this was his greatest performance of the 1980s decade by far, winning his second world title.


My pick for the best fighter of the 80s decade was Sugar Ray Leonard...Which is yours?

Larry Holmes

Dominated a confused and political era of HW boxing, never held all the straps but was able to hold the WBC and then the IBF and still have the general public respect him as the TRUE champion. Faced all that there was and stayed active from 1978 until his controversial loss to Spinks in 1985. One of the divisions best and one of the decades bigger names. Only to find respect years later in a new decade.

Kym

Chavez

Leonard was the best boxer but didn't fight enough to be fighter of the decade. I'd go with Chavez.

I am totally surprised by the votes so far.

larry holmes.no contest in my book

During his prime.

Mike Tyson was one of the best prime fighters ever.

Could live in any era at his peak.

Mike Tyson..

I mean he was one of the few boxers that was actually unbeatable.

Good Boxers like lennoxlewis, Muhammed Ali and George Foreman did not have the same air of dominance.

When he was on top, there was no doubt he was on top

He may not have had the same hysterical publicity, but I think it's plenty fair to say Foreman had the same air of invincibility about him Tyson did, at least between stopping Frazier & losing to Ali. The only difference was there was no one to share the limelight with Tyson, whereas Foreman was fighting in the golden age of Heavies, & also that Foreman both won & lost the title to legendary opponents. Tyson won it & lost it to markedly less credible opposition.

Chavez

For me it was Hagler. He thoroughly dominated the middleweight division for a decade, none of the others dominated a single division for such a long time.

To me he's #1 pound for pound in the 80s. He had a pretty long reign as undisputed champion and defended the title the right way. Knocking people out. 11 of his 12 successful defenses were by TKO or KO pretty impressive.

Hagler
Holmes

dr_devious wrote:For me it was Hagler. He thoroughly dominated the middleweight division for a decade, none of the others dominated a single division for such a long time.

Pure rubbish.........he beat a bunch of middle level MW and smaller men moving up. Big deal.....then when he had his chance to be great, he was made to look the chump.

ringsider wrote:

dr_devious wrote:For me it was Hagler. He thoroughly dominated the middleweight division for a decade, none of the others dominated a single division for such a long time.

Pure rubbish.........he beat a bunch of middle level MW and smaller men moving up. Big deal.....then when he had his chance to be great, he was made to look the chump.

Like you. Every time you post.

Collins2000 wrote:

ringsider wrote:

dr_devious wrote:For me it was Hagler. He thoroughly dominated the middleweight division for a decade, none of the others dominated a single division for such a long time.

Pure rubbish.........he beat a bunch of middle level MW and smaller men moving up. Big deal.....then when he had his chance to be great, he was made to look the chump.

Like you. Every time you post.

finding myself wiping a tear from eye.............just a nostalgia moment I'm sure it will pass... .....it's almost like...well like "UnoWho" is still here.....at least in spirit.

BoxBuzz wrote:

Collins2000 wrote:

ringsider wrote: Pure rubbish.........he beat a bunch of middle level MW and smaller men moving up. Big deal.....then when he had his chance to be great, he was made to look the chump.

Like you. Every time you post.

finding myself wiping a tear from eye.............just a nostalgia moment I'm sure it will pass... .....it's almost like...well like "UnoWho" is still here.....at least in spirit.

Unlike your old buddy, decagon, I only bollock someone these days when they repeatedly disparage a fighter. If he'd followed that rule he might still be here boring you with his dumbass stories about his kidney stones. Yawn.

In fact, ringlicker's only 'contribution' to this place is to continually berate fighters. You find that odd, buzzy? Personally, I think it stinks.



Oh, yeah, and, unlike that eejit Decagon, I don't resort to racial abuse.

You can make a strong case Hagler, Holmes, Tyson, Chavez or Leonard.

Tyson at his best was a devestating fighter, with very underrated boxing skills as such.

However, I think it's a toss-up between Holmes & Hagler. Both were champions for roughly the same amount of time. If I had to choose, I'd go with Marvin.

Collins2000 wrote: Blah,blah,blah.........

In fact, ringlicker's only 'contribution' to this place is to continually berate fighters. ....

blah,blah,blah.....

BS. I just call'em like I see'em. You don't like what I have to say because your hero happens to be one I critique harshly. Toughshit......

ringsider wrote:

Collins2000 wrote: Blah,blah,blah.........

In fact, ringlicker's only 'contribution' to this place is to continually berate fighters. ....

blah,blah,blah.....

BS. I just call'em like I see'em. You don't like what I have to say because your hero happens to be one I critique harshly. Toughshit......

Ringlicker, you don't actually 'critique' anyone.

Your moronic and inane comments only make you an object of ridicule.

With the departure of the biggest eejit this board has ever seen, 2nd rate clowns like yourself will now command more attention. You're gonna be a star, Ringlicker!

Collins2000 wrote: Blah,blah,blah.......

blah,blah,blah.....

Blah,blah,blah.....

Blah,blah,blah......

You are the real star, I merely work your corner. Dumbass......

Tyson. When he burst on to the scene in the 80's there was nothing like his raw power and aggression. If he had half a brain or even just good people around him he might have been the best ever...

ringsider wrote:

Collins2000 wrote: Blah,blah,blah.......

blah,blah,blah.....

Blah,blah,blah.....

Blah,blah,blah......

You are the real star, I merely make low grunting noises when I am ready to be fed

Please come again.

ringsider wrote:

Collins2000 wrote: Blah,blah,blah.......

blah,blah,blah.....

Blah,blah,blah.....

Blah,blah,blah......

You are the real star, I merely make low grunting noises when I am ready to be fed

Sorry ringsider didn't write that.

Collins2000 wrote:

BoxBuzz wrote:

Collins2000 wrote: Like you. Every time you post.

finding myself wiping a tear from eye.............just a nostalgia moment I'm sure it will pass... .....it's almost like...well like "UnoWho" is still here.....at least in spirit.

Unlike your old buddy, decagon, I only bollock someone these days when they repeatedly disparage a fighter. If he'd followed that rule he might still be here boring you with his dumbass stories about his kidney stones. Yawn.

In fact, ringlicker's only 'contribution' to this place is to continually berate fighters. You find that odd, buzzy? Personally, I think it stinks.



Oh, yeah, and, unlike that eejit Decagon, I don't resort to racial abuse.

I was sort of kidding....ok kids...lets all help put the fire out...and then...NO MORE PLAYING WITH MATCHES!