Adilson Rodrigues - Underrated?

I don't think he's a bum either. He was definately a better than average boxer with middle of the road puncing power. He just didn't have the wiskers to take much of a shot. He defeated james Bonecrusher in 1987, shortly after James had lost the WBA to Tyson. He was also the long standing South American heavyweight champion ( though such a title is probably about as prestigous as winning the sales person of the month award at a used car dealership. )

I remember as plain as day, in the summer of 1989, a streaking Evander Holyfield was building up momentum for a title shot against Mike Tyson and was considered by far and above as the best challenger out there. He took on Jose Adilson Rodriguez in an outdoor arena at I believe Caesars Tahoe? Anyway, The WBC had Rodriguez ranked #2, which I felt was a tad overly generous, but also felt that he was at least deserving of a #7 or #8 spot. He started off looking very sharp, outboxing Evander and even landing some big shots that seemed to be hurting Holyfield. In the second round however, Holy landed a bomb on the forehead of Rodriguez and landed him flat on his back with his head bouncing off the canvas. The fight was over.. Holy had scored a legit KO over a respectable heavyweight, and it was the first fight where the experts started taking Evanders "sting" a bit more seriously.

 

A limited fighter who used what talent he had to go as far as he could. Not a bad fighter, just never a world beater.

 

He was tough by nature, and if you stood in front of him he would bang holes in you , but i don't really reckon he was good enough to ever be a belt holder.. i most any era..

 

A very overrated fighter IMO. He was an icon in Brazil and lived off of it. It showed, as, as soon as he fought world rated fighters, he was blown away.

He fought old washed up names, and fighters who did not hit hard enough to KO him. So as long as he heard the final bell he would win (Nelson fights come to mind).

Any aspiring heavyweight world class operator who is taking eight rounds to beat a Hughroy Currie in 1988, as not going to cut it....

 

According to Johnny, and he was given an enforced rematch, which to a point gives credence to Nelson's argument.

When Nelson came back to beat Booth, on a SKY bill, he made a point of saying that he would be staying at Cruiserweight, as, although the money was good, he was sick and tired of getting bad decisions in Brazil.

 

Yeah, but his record isn't thought of or remembered..... What people remember is, he was KO'd by "Holy and Foreman" in 1989 & '90.... Rodrigues' biggest win was a decision over James "Lazy Bones" Smith in 1987, but it was not televised..... The time to shine was when he failed against "Holy & Foreman." Rodrigues will not be fondly remembered in North America.....

SR.BILLnono

 

Before someone can be overrated, they at least have to receive undue credit. Frankly, I don't see his name written much around here, unless he's being listed as a mere " opponent " for Holyfield or Foreman. Its true that his countryman thought highly of him. Big deal. He was the best heavyweight Brazil had at the time and in a country that was very much fond of boxing. I wish England was as appreciative of Frank Bruno ( and that's coming from the mouth of an American. ) Rodriguez is nether overrated nor underrated. He sits fine right where he is in my opinion.

 

Rodrigues was given a fair bit of hype at the time, I must admit I was intrigued, as I knew he had flattened a couple of our (Brits) Journeymen.

I got to see the Holyfield fight, and was very disappointed.

But then, that was around the time of me thinking Jose Ribalta was a tough so and so, and avoided by many, including Bomber Bruno....

As for Bruno and appreciation, the man is still one of the five biggest (non Football) sports related celebrities in the country, he is still a household name!

 

he belongs right where he is in how he was rated. He was a big dissapointment in his big fights.

 

Over rated. Glass jaw, and just decent skills. An older Foreman beat him easy.

 

I don't understand why so many people are claiming that he's overrated. In order to be overrated, you have to have had a fair amount of hype built up about you. I was around in 1989 to see him at his absolute peak, and I don't recall anyone freakin' out about him. He was an obscure contender who held a very brief rating. If anyone asks me, Razor Ruddock was an overhyped, overrated fighter...

 

He got overrated because he had a curiosity value.

He had beaten a Bonecrusher who still had enough to come back and deck Razor, so you figured Rodrigues was at least capable of giving something for Holyfield to think about and last a few rounds.

But he was not even that good, thus he was overrated.....

 

I think Rodrigues had a top ten ranking at one point, and he did not deserve it. That to me is over rated.

Ruddock may have been over hyped, but he was at least a legit top ten guy with far more stuff than Rodrigues.