Ezzard Charles was the most underrated heavyweight champ

I like charles been learning alot about him.

I rate him very highly as well

 

Everything you say here is true. Most knowledgeable fans rate him in their top 3-5 p4p so therefore I don’t know if he was underrated. Perhaps as you say “ at heavyweight.” But point well taken. He was incredible

 

Agreed legitimately great heavyweight run

 

If it was possible to rate him at heavyweight P4P and overlay the skills he possessed during his prime years as a middleweight and light heavyweight, you would have a case, but that is really not a fair comparison in my opinion. As a worthy heavyweight champion who defended his title repeatedly, you also have a case as the best one-year title reign ever. If you are rating him P4P with the skiills he possessed as a heavyweight, your case is weakened as an all-time great. As an all-time great heavyweight champion regardless of weight, your case is even more weak.

 

Is that Gene Tunney in you avatar?

 

I think the argument that he is the most underrated heavyweight champion holds some water. He held the title for 2 years (from picking up the title vacated by Louis in 1949 until being KOed by JJW in 1951). His eight defenses in that time are impressive in terms of activity, the level of opposition wasn't the greatest, but neither was Marciano's. I'd say he's knocking on the door of the top 10 although I have him at 12, one place behind Lennox Lewis and one in front of Sonny Liston on my own list.

 

I think he's probably the best, lightest heavyweight of all time

 

Charles was an excellent Heavyweight and a lb4lb great - many heavyweights started out as middleweights - Jimmy Ellis lost 5 times as a middleweight-
Riddick Bowe win the golden gloves in NYC as a light heavyweight -

Charles would have adapted in any era - by the time he fought as a heavyweight his experience and talent were vast - unfortunately like many he stayed to long in the game and is remembered by his later days - a series with a prime Walcott - beating Louis and 2 wars with Marciano and fighting the best in 2 divisions puts him up there in the respect dept.

 

I would agree he is underappreciated as a heavyweight.

 

I do wonder if he could have beat Prime Louis. He was giving him a boxing master class and when you watch the Conn fight you have to think Charles might well have pulled it off.