LL is not overrated He beat every man he faced. And cleaned the division out and has probably the second best resume to Ali (You could argue for Holyfield). He also avenged all his losses. Something which seems to be ignored. Yes he fought Holy late and Tyson WAAY later than he should have. However the thing is, when he fought them, he beat them. Thats better than not fighting them at all. The only other big player in the division at the time was Bowe. Thats another topic on its own. He also beat Ruddock, Mercer, Morrison, Golota, Botha, Bruno, Tua, and Vitali and many more, including Briggs, Mason, and Akinwande Names missing from his resume, Foreman, Moorer, Byrd and Bowe. LL fought a variety of styles and beat them all, his losses were due to being careless more than anything. He has the perfect career and has now retired happily with his brains and money intact. Wheras look at Bowe, Tyson, Holyfield, Golota, Morrison, Mercer nowaadays?? Him and Holyfield are the best 2 of the 90s (Tysons era was mid to late 80s really) and Bowe was just a sideshow.
If Holyfield was "on the slide" it was very marginal. He was a legit world champion when Lewis fought him. Tyson was younger than Lewis,and no one was saying he was shot until AFTER he fought Lewis. Rahman and McCall were much better fighters than Brewster and Sanders for example. He beat basically everyone from the 90s,except Bowe who refused to fight him. He fought 2 ATGs and beat both of them.
Not over rated at all. Retired on top and knew when to leave the sport with his senses & bank account intact. Great head to head or based on resumé.