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It's sort of true that Lewis wasn't quite the finished article when he won the title (nor was Mike Tyson, but he was 20 for fucks sale)

However, I cannot remember a period in history when two 'world' heavyweight champions were essentially novices.

it says more about the total lack of decent heavyweights than it does about how good Joshua or Wilder are
Which has been said about every era since the dawn of time. Maybe it's because in general big men look crap so only a few standout in any era.

Wilder isn't a novice, he's been protected and is really no different to American guys like Tommy Morrison (without a Mercer moment), who feasted on club fighters until a title opportunity popped up against a fossil.

And AJ's competition in 20 fights is arguably stronger than prime Tyson, Lewis, Bowe, Vitali, Wlad etc.

The only difference today is, AJ's entire career/life is played out 24/7 in public, you get to watch and rewatch every single fight, every single move, every single word said is scrutinised. Stick Prime Tyson in this era you've got a protected laughing stock. Lewis and Bowe were constantly considered crap in comparison with past heavyweight fighters.
Truth is both Morrison and that fossil Foreman would have stuffed Charles Martin into a bucket and claimed a trinket as well. The same scrutiny and ever shining light that is on AJ also affords him those door prizes and massive play. Wilder was same way for a while..always a guy you knew would be steered there but eventually the promotion must release the wheel.
Yes there's always weak "champions" with multiple titles up for grabs.

Remember Bentt? Done Morrison in a round, immediately sold the title to Hide who sold it to Bowe. Big Daddy then dumped it for Holyfield (3) which meant Hide bought back a vacant title (ancient Tucker was deemed worthy) until forced to face some big stiff "useless" Eastern Euro mandatory that brought in a knew era.

During this time Akinwande, Seldon, Briggs, Bruno, etc, were all masquerading as heavyweight champion of the world, carving up the WBC, WBA and IBF lineal between them.

Nothing has changed in our time apart from the faces.