Why the modern era of heavyweight boxing has given fans a throwback feel thanks to fun and historic relevance

The 'super heavyweight' era has delivered action similar to that of the 1970s and 1990s

When the excitement of Daniel Dubois' fifth-round destruction of former unified champion Anthony Joshua died down last Saturday in the aftermath of their IBF heavyweight title clash at London's Wembley Stadium, a moment of reflection was in order. 

In the long and decorated history of heavyweight championship boxing, which dates back 136 years to the bare-knuckle days of John L. Sullivan, there have been two eras -- separated from each other by a mere 10-year gap -- which most often receive recognition as the two greatest golden eras of the division: the 1970s and 1990s. 

While heavyweight boxing has long created historically relevant champions and meaningful rivalries across many decades, few other eras can compete with the sheer volume of both of these eras. Both decades featured a gluttonous amount of elite depth, Hall of Fame talent and the kind of overwhelming personalities who became household names far beyond the confines of the fight game, or professional sports, for that matter.