I read an article regarding the Mayweather v Mosley fight where Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns discuss the fight but both state that boxing today doesn't compare to when they fought.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2010-04-30-leonard-hearns-analysis_N.htm

I tend to agree but while politics may get in the way of the right fights being made at the right time more nowadays,i still think there are active fighters such as Mayweather,Pacquaio,Mosley,Hopkins and the Klitschko's who would have been contenders in any era.

I also don't think boxing is as bad as some say and that if they followed it closely they would know that there are stills good/great fights happening.

I think the people who will be able to offer greater insight into and answer my question the best will be the more mature posters who have seen some these era's as they happened.Ted Sares is certainly one who springs to mind! :)

The first fight i saw was Tyson v Berbick so obviously my knowledge of boxing history is limited but i have read quite a few books and watched dvd's of past generations.