Which was the strongest era in heavyweight history?

 

OUT OF all the debates that rage between boxing fans and experts, the one fact that rarely gets questioned is that the heavyweight division was at its absolute strongest in the 1970’s. The legendary names just role off the tongue with Muhammed Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Larry Holmes all crowned champion in this era.

Top-level contenders in this period included; Earnie Shavers, Jerry Quarry, Ken Norton (who did become heavyweight champion albeit without winning a championship contest), Jimmy Young and Ron Lyle. All would have arguably won world titles if they’d come along 15 years or so later.

It was a golden era for the division that saw many memorable battles between tough, seasoned and skilful men. But it was not the only period of the big men that spawned great bouts between elite-level fighters.

Although the 90’s did carry the older-versions of Larry Holmes and George Foreman, we were also entertained by the  Riddick Bowe–Evander Holyfield trilogy and the return of “Iron” Mike Tyson.  Lennox Lewis also went from right-hand happy slugger to an all-time-great heavyweight champion. Although not considered anywhere near a golden era, we still had many great fighters competing against each other producing action and drama in the ring (and sometimes outside it).

Undisputed pits six heavyweights from both decades against each other to discover; which really was the strongest era in heavyweight history?

 

Fight 1: Ken Norton vs. Ray Mercer

Ken Norton will go down in history as the only fighter to call himself a world heavyweight champion despite going 0-3 in title fights. Despite that, Kenny was a tough fighter with an Adonis-like physique. Under the tutelage of trainer Eddie Futch, Norton became only the second boxer to beat “The Greatest” Ali, a massive upset at the time. Although Muhammed beat his bogeyman in two subsequent bouts, many believe Norton won them all. Norton also beat Quarry and edged past Jimmy Young before giving Larry Holmes a tremendous fight over fifteen rounds to lose his title.

 

Mercer was an Olympic gold medallist in the 1988Seoulgames and expected to go far as a pro. Hard-punching Ray struggled with cagey fighters, losing to veterans Jesse Ferguson and 42-year-old Holmes, but did spectacularly beat Tommy Morrison, Bert Cooper and Francesco Damiani. The iron-chinned Mercer also gave both Lewis and Holyfield fits in back-to-back ten rounders in the middle part of the decade.

Ray, nicknamed “Merciless”, briefly reigned as WBO champion in the 90’s and could be a strong, tough bruiser when the mood took him.

 

Outcome

Both guys were a similar size, Mercer had by far the better chin but Norton was the better all-round fighter. The ex-marine had better hand-speed and that awkward cross-arm defence. Kenny would jab the head hard, use the uppercut and hook and win a comfortable decision over Ray in a competitive contest.

 

Fight 2: Joe Frazier vs. Michael Moorer

Joe Frazier, who sadly passed away earlier this year, was a world champion sandwiched between Muhammed Ali and George Foreman, in those years he was a formidable machine-like warrior. “Smokin” Joe saw off the likes of Jerry Quarry, Buster Mathis and Jimmy Ellis before winning “The fight of the century” in his first epic contest with Muhammed Ali. Short and squat with that dynamite left hook, Frazier was nick-named “The black Marciano. Joe could be hit and hurt, but was only ever beaten by Foreman and Ali.

 

Michael Moorer rose up through the heavyweight ranks after an explosive career down at light-heavyweight. At first an exciting banger, Moorer emerged into a more thoughtful boxer after a multi knockdown thriller with Bert Cooper. Southpaw Moorer dethroned Evander Holyfield before shockingly being beaten by the aged George Foreman. Big George became the oldest fighter to win a world title in history with his one-punch miracle KO.

Moorer would prove to be an erratic performer after that stunning loss, but did regain a portion of the heavyweight title beating both Frans Botha and Axel Schulz in championship encounters.

 

Outcome

These fighters couldn’t have been more different in both attitude and fighting style. Frazier would look to take the fight in close and land his pet left hook; Moorer would look to keep his right-jab sharp in the hope of keeping Joe off balance.

Ultimately, I see Joe struggling in the first five rounds before burying his head on Moorer’s chest and breaking the bigger man’s heart with relentless pressure. Frazier would drop Moorer several times before the ref has seen enough by round nine and waves the massacre off despite the protests from the brave, but thoroughly beaten, Moorer.

 

Fight 3: Earnie Shavers vs. Riddick Bowe

The lethal-punching “Acorn” Shavers stayed in the higher ranks of the heavyweight contenders through all of the 70’s, scoring some impressive stoppage wins. Earnie’s explosive power put paid to Jimmy Ellis, Ken Norton and Jimmy Young; all in the opening few rounds. Shaven-headed Shavers also hung tough in losing efforts against reigning champions Muhammed Ali and Larry Holmes and was dangerous as long as he was still standing.

 

Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe, the world champion between 92’ and 93’, should have enjoyed a long reign as heavyweight king but legendary rival Evander Holyfield edged a rematch over the lethargic champion. Bowe was reputed to have erratic training habits, but was a formidable fighter when on form. Riddick looked sensational in the first title-winning bout with Holyfield and, in a mid-90’s comeback, looked better than ever destroying Larry Donald, Herbie Hide, Jorge Luis Gonzalez and Holyfield (in the rubber-match). For a fighter of 6’5”, Bowe was also an outstanding in-fighter with a terrific right uppercut.

 

Outcome

 

Shavers could hit hellishly hard with both the over-hand right and the left hook, which could have seriously offset Bowe’s usual fighting-style. However, the larger, better-skilled man would have to be favoured to weather the occasional crisis, keep the shorter man off balance with his long jab and pound out a late stoppage victory over the tiring Shavers in a good fight.

 

Fight 4: George Foreman vs. Evander Holyfield

Before his famous 90’s comeback, big-punching Texan Foreman cut a swath through the heavyweight ranks, blowing away George Chuvalo, Joe Frazier (to lift the title) and Ken Norton; all with hardly breaking sweat. Although “Big” George lost famously to Ali in “The Rumble in the Jungle”, he still went on to stop Ron Lyle in a wildly exciting affair before stopping Frazier a second time. Foreman had decent skills for a big man and crushing physical strength and power, though seemed to fade later on in fights; highlighted in losses to Ali and Jimmy Young.

 

After clearing out the cruiserweight ranks, Holyfield moved up to heavyweight in search of a fight with “Iron” Mike Tyson. After Tyson was shocked inTokyoby Buster Douglas, Holyfield stepped in to stopDouglasin just three rounds. Holyfield blew hot-and-cold in the subsequent years; struggling against (the older version) of Foreman and Bert Cooper, before losing the undisputed title to Bowe. Considered finished before the rematch, the “Real Deal” edged past his younger foe in the rematch before shockingly losing soon after to Michael Moorer.

The aging champion found himself the underdog again against the come-backing Tyson, but turned back the clock to twice beat “Iron” Mike.

Holyfield is, unbelievably, still fighting today at 49-years-old. At his 90’s peak he was granite-jawed and possessed an indomitable will-to-win. Every time he was written off in fights he turned in his most impressive performances.

 

Outcome

The younger version of Foreman always liked to start fast, the two would lock horns early with the heavier-handed George rocking Holyfield in the first two rounds. However, with Evander still throwing hard shots back through the middle rounds, the tiring Texan would start to lose heart. Foreman could have hurt the iron-jawed “Real Deal”, but not enough to stop him. By the tenth round, Holyfield would be coming on and landing at will, Foreman would start to ship punishment more and more. With Foreman hurt and staggering around the ring, Evander would put together one last sustained flurry to bring the ref’s intervention in a memorable slugfest.

 

Fight 5: Larry Holmes vs. “Iron” Mike Tyson

Larry Holmes came to prominence towards the end of the 70’s with stand-out victories against Earnie Shavers and Ken Norton. A former sparring partner to Ali and Joe Frazier, Holmes was the linier champion from 78’ until Michael Spinks controversially out-pointed him in 1985. Holmes had arguably the best jab in heavyweight in history, but could also ‘fight it out’ when needed. Holmes scored several off-the-floor victories and was still a top contender when well into his 40’s.

 

Mike Tyson spent four  years in the 90’s locked up on a rape conviction, but proved he still had something left after the Douglas reverse with wins over Razor Ruddock (twice), Frank Bruno, Bruce Seldon and Frans Botha. Tyson’s record in the decade was 9-3 (8), plus one No contest. The sharpness of punch and head movement was absent but the menace and power was still present on occasion. The faded mega-star never regained his peak years but was still only beaten in this period by Douglas and Holyfield.

 

Outcome

Holmes pumps the jab out in the first and holds his hands high to defend against the heavy-hands of his shorter foe. Tyson loads up and swings big punches, but hits mainly thin air with his pet hooks. Holmes’ jab rams into Tyson’s face repeatedly and it is soon apparent “Iron” Mike is running out of ideas.

Mike ships more punishment through the middle stanza’s and slows right down, throwing increasingly less in return on his sharp and quick-handed tormentor.

In round eight, Holmes throws a light, measuring left jab before a huge right uppercut lands flush on Mike’s exposed jaw. The stricken fighter falls heavily and, despite rising groggily to his feet, is saved from further punishment by the third man.

 

Fight 6: Muhammed Ali vs. Lennox Lewis

The uncrowned king of 70’s heavyweight boxing was “The Greatest” Muhammed Ali. Coming back from an enforced ban for refusing draft into the Vietnam War, Ali wasted no time on his return, challenging reigning champion and arch-rival Frazier in just his third fight back. After that fifteen-round beating, Ali regrouped before suffering a further upset-loss to Norton. Unperturbed, the charismatic Ali avenged both losses before beating the rampaging Foreman inZaireto regain his title.

Ali would remain champion several years and turn back the challenges of Shavers and Norton amongst others. The “Old Butterfly” carried on way past his best, struggling past Jimmy Young and Shavers before losing his crown to unsung novice Leon Spinks. Ali closed his 70’s campaign by avenging the loss, becoming the first ever three-time heavyweight champion.

 

Lennox Lewis burst on the world scene with an emphatic destruction of favoured Razor Ruddock (who had just gone twelve hard rounds with a post-Douglas Tyson). Lewis was then proclaimed WBC champion (after Riddick Bowe vacated) and made several defences before suffering a surprise two-round stoppage loss to tough Oliver McCall. Hiring Emanuel Steward as his new chief second, Lewis came back from his first defeat better than ever. The Brit’s balance, defence and skill level all improved under the Kronk legend’s tutelage. Lewis regained his WBC title and scored dominating victories over Tommy Morrison, McCall, and Shannon Briggs before closing the decade by decisioning rival champion Evander Holyfield to become undisputed champion.

 

Outcome

The much-faster Ali would have jabbed and moved early. Lewis, two inches taller, would have been the aggressor against his speedy opponent. Lewis would have marked up around the eyes from the quick jabs, but would also have success with his own jab. A few clean right-hands land from Lewis, who also times his left hook, knowing full well his legendary foe is a little open to the punch. Ali foolishly lies on the ropes at times, but Lewis seems hesitant to open up, allowing Ali the breather he required.

By the eighth round, the chess match is swinging Ali’s way as Lennox slows down and starts missing more; easy pickings for the well-conditioned Ali. In the last, Muhammed realises he is ahead and stays out of trouble despite Lewis trying hard to land the equaliser.

Muhammed Ali is awarded a unanimous, and deserved, fifteen round decision.

 

Final result

70’s heavyweights- 4 wins

 

90’s heavyweights- 2 wins