Imo Jersey Walcott is one of the most underrated champs. Yeah you could go on boxrec and see his record (49-20-1) but a lot of those losses are because Joe peak in an older age similar to Hopkins. For Most of Joes Physical prime he was to almost to poor to buy food let alone proper training but he would still go on and have wins over Ezzard Charles,Harold Johnson, Joey Maxim and Elmer Ray. Walcott would also give two top 10 HW Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano very close and competitive fights.
To be under rated you must be very good overall, but forgotten to be metioned in general. I think Walcott get his due but under rated in terms of title defenses and overall losses he's not.
Ibragimov. Beat Briggs for a belt, defended against Holyfield, and got shutout by Wlad. But would’ve beaten a lot of other champions. In the 90s alone, he probably would’ve taken a belt off Foreman, Douglas, Seldon, McCall, Morrison, Mercer, Bruno and possibly Moorer or off night Holyfield and CTE Bowe.
Walcott was also a crook. Why did he call Liston out in Ali-Liston 2 when Walcott had never started a count on Liston because Ali wouldn't return to a neutral corner. Walcott had 23 years ring experience. He knew better. He was either paid to rig the fight or he was a fool.
I agree,Kell. JJW was a very skilled boxer/puncher who would have given even the greatest of heavyweights a competitive fight.
I don't think there was anything crooked going on there. It was simply a case of Jersey Joe ballsing it up.
I don't think so. Walcott was very familiar with the neutral corner rule. He knew exactly what he was doing. Saying he didn't is like saying a baker didn't know what flour was.
Max Schmeling, people often don't have him inside top 15 which is insane in my opinion. Few people look at his resume past Louis fight as well. I think Walcott is overrated if anything, still a great fighter though.
Until he didn't. Sure, he looks great in highlights but he was inconsistent, wasted movement and got caught. A journeyman made good. No shame in that.
Jack Sharkey, who peaked in the mid to later 1920's is very underrated, much of it his fault but at this best he could really fight. I agree with the mention of Tunney. I'd add Willard as both underrated and one who's potential was never close to met ..
Weaver was actually a really good fighter with Tyson-level power. His extraordinary effort against Holmes, demo of Tate, and terrific battle against Coetzee can't be discounted. It's too bad he seemed to lack consistent concentration, at times it seemed he kind of sleep-walked in the middle of fights, The Dokes I and II fights were both unfair and smaller scale robberies for sure. He shouldn't have had that title taken from him , much less not regained it. Sure, he would have lost it eventually to Thomas or Witherspoon but still...