I voted for neither underrated nor overrated. I don't think that they were overrated, because they never recieved much appraisal from the public, nor generated much interest. At the same however, I can't say they were underrated, given that none of them really accomplished enough to receive any significant degree of recognition. Tim Witherspoon may be a slight exception to the rule, seeing as how he won two alpha titles and bested the likes of Tubbs, Page, Bruno, Broad, Snipes, Tillis, Ribalta and Williams. Nevertheless, I believe that the alphabet champs of the 80's got about as much credit as they deserved.
Exactly. The so-callled "Lost Generation" HWs of the 80s are pretty much rated the way they should be, and that is an generally a pretty mediciocre bunch, some of whom had ability, but most of whom underachieved.
Underrated....pretty severly...because of the way Tyson dispatched them we wrote them off...he often ruined them... and the style and talent of Holmes was exceptional...these were 2 great champs folks....Spinks was a technician, Cooney has power, Foreman ahd heart...Tucker was very underappreciated, Berbick. Thomas, Witherspoon..even Biggs potential...they all fought each other, and other contenders.....think about it..aside from Klit now, and LL before him...would you see any of these players having trouble with Byrd, or Ruiz, or chageaz, or briggs, or ...on and on....
The amount of drug use helped stop some of these guy's to not reach there potential. dokes, Tucker, and Thomas are evidence of that. Witherspoon had the best all around skills. He had defense, a big right hand, and decent movement.
Their better than they are today. Greg Page and Tim Witherspoon have arguments to be around par with Klitschko who is the main guy out there right now.
Wlad Klitschko seems to stand out better than Page and Witherspoon but not by much. But if those guys were around I probably wouldnt give Klitschko a clear pass as the divisions best. He'd have to prove himself.
Wasn't Greg Page talked up as being the next Ali at the time? I thought this book was pretty good as it covers a lot of these guys in detail. The Long Round: The Triumphs and Tragedies of the Men Who Fought Mike Tyson by Dominic Calder-Smith
Ali talked Page up as the next 'Ali'. As time goes by, the 80s Heavyweight seem to get a better and better press. I do not know why; Holmes, Tyson, Spinks, Witherspoon and young Evander aside, all the other 'contenders' and 'champions' had serious flaws, that cost them in the ring.
klitschko boys seem to stand out more because hes not facing page, witherspoon, thomas, Dokes and coetzee back to back. These beltholders were all good but couldnt beat each other. They were contenders with belts.
Most of the 80s beltholders were lacking in seasoning. groomed to the 20-0 stage against cans most would pip a belthoder on points then flunk the next score bore against a guy no better than the dude they won a belt from. They just could not beat each other. At least Page was a little more worn by the time he got to the title, pity was it worked against him. Greg won way more competative fights before reaching title level. Potentialy, I dont think Riddick Bowe was any better than Page. Bowe got an easier run pre title than page had. Riddick got to beat on a cruiserweight facing his first "live" super heavyweight. You could argue Page fought a better Tubbs.
I think nowadays they get overrated, generally to inflate Holmes' standing. Young Tyson showed the level those guys were really at.