Perhaps it is the…well it was an era of its own. The 1980s, wedged right between the Golden (70s) and Silver (90s) ages of boxing, found itself with the impossible task of following up the 1970s.
The period of time that is February 15, 1978 to June 27, 1988 birthed what we have come to know as the Lost Generation, a period of time in which many would-be heavyweight faces failed to live up to their potential and promise.
With the Fabulous Five carrying boxing, the heavyweights needed to get it in gear if they hoped to reclaim their throne!
The 1970s was so GOLDEN an era for the heavyweight division, that it has still yet to have been lived up to, nor surpassed.
IRON Mike Tyson is, in the opinion of many, the most exciting entity to ever grace the sweet science, blessing us with unmatched excitement and anticipation.
The inevitable was upon the boxing world; Muhammad Ali’s time was nearing a heroic end and the WBA title that he’d wooed the world over with in recovering from “Neon” Leon Spinks was soon to be up for grabs.
Big brother “heavyweight”. Little brother “light heavyweight”. Middle brother “cruiserweight”. Baby brother “middleweight”. There’s a considerable history between these boxing siblings, in particular, the journey of the “younger” brothers to escape the shadow of the “oldest” brother.
He is the biggest mystery in the history of the heavyweight division. He may be the most feared fighter in history.
Who is the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time? What is the best era for heavyweight boxing? Two polarizing questions with no certain answer.
Just about anyone, boxing fan or not, can tell you who Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson are, but can they tell you who Jersey Joe Walcott is?