Is Jimmy McLarnin hugely underrated?

IMO he is last out of the trinity. Very much an atg though. He did what Pac did before Pac did it and beat better fighters while doing so.

 

Yes !!!!!!

 

Most in the Classic Forum consider him among the top 20 fighters of all time or thereabouts. He's ranked right about where he should be, slightly behind Ross and Canzoneri.

His resume is indeed one of the greatest of all time, though, especially given the comparatively small number of fights he had. The names you mentioned are just scratching the surface.

 

Not underrated so much as overlooked, due in large part to the combination of relatively youthful departure and long happy lifespan. (Jimmy enjoyed the longest retirement of any champion in boxing history.) There's probably been more of an urgency among fight aficionados and historians to memorialize those who have been gone for much longer (Canzi), were under appreciated until after their careers had ended (Ross), or had tragic and compelling fates. Like Canzi, McLarnin was one of boxing's most beloved champions while he was actually on top. (This contrasts with Dempsey, whose public acceptance following draft dodging charges was only rehabilitated after losing the title, with "Honey, I forgot to duck.") Jimmy was wealthy and happy in retirement, lived to be an active supporter of the IBHOF after his 1991 induction (one of the congratulatory ads in my father's 1998 Induction Weekend program is from McLarnin, Moore and wrestling star Count Billy Varga), and enjoyed excellent health until succumbing to Alzheimer's after reaching his 90s.

As El Bujia just stated, he's commonly considered among the top 20 all time here, so it's hard to specify how underrated he could be with that status being taken for granted by so many.

 

bang on. he's gotta be a top 30 (though top 20 could certainly be made) and JUST behind ross and both behind canzoneri

 

Yes, but a lot of it has to do with all the weight jumping imo. He fought ATGs at several weights. Where exactly was he at his best?? I don't know, but I think he probably was best at lightweight.

 

Surf-Bat, I think when he had fully matured and found his own he was at Welterweight.

I think he is rated justly on here.

 

Manny Pacquio should have taught us a thing or two about how good McLarrin was and what his weight jumping meant.

This was a truly incredible fighter!

 

Ross behind Canzoneri? I don't see the justification there. McLarnin is a close enough call as is, but I believe Ross proved himself the most consistent of the bunch.

 

Ross is a clear front runner IMO.

 

Hm, I don´t think Canzi is above Ross despite him beeing one of my favourite fighters but I think you can make an argument based on the fact that he was the smallest of the three, could hold his own with both and fought bigger men more often.

 

Wasn't we having a discussion about McLarnin having a bit too mnany circumstances regarding his wins? Not suspicious, like, but there were a few legitimate excuses for some of his wins.

 

Yep.