Most underrated Middleweights of all time

Rodrigo Valdez

 

Murderous puncher, WBC Middleweight Champion from May 25 1974 until his loss to WBA Middleweight Champion Carlos Monzon of Argentina on June 26 1976 in Monte Carlo, Monaco, Monzon scored a 14th round knockdown to seal the victory by unanimous decision. Valdes went on to fight Monzon again on July 30 1977, again in Monte Carlo, Valdes scored a knockdown of Monzon in round 2, but Monzon arose to decision Rodrigo in his last fight as champion for his 14 successful tile defense, Monzon then retired as champion. No.1 rated Valdes decisioned no. 2 rated Bennie Briscoe in 15 rounds in Italy to claim the vacant undisputed title on Nov 5 1977, then lost it on April 22 1978 to Hugo Corro of Argentina, in San Remo, Italy by unanimous 15 round decision.

 

I don't know how to post images, but there are at least 5 or 6 of them right here - 38Apr.jpg (515×706) (boxrec.com)

the Middleweight Division could throw up a couple of hundred of them forsure.

 

Paul Pender, Terry Downes, Rocky Castellani, Joey Giambra and Joey Giardello spring to mind.

Also Marcel Thil, Fred Apostoli and all the other guys who held the title between Mickey Walker and Tony Zale.

 

Freddie Steele and Tommy Ryan are both in my top 10. I often see both omitted from lists and discussions on the greatest ever middleweights.

 

As mentioned Rodrigo Valdez. Also my personal favourite Herol Graham. He would have made any champion of any era work their arse off for a victory over him.

 

Rodrigo Valdez
Sumbu Kalambay
Joey Giardello
George Benton
Holman Williams
Eduardo Lausse

 

Holman Williams's win resume at MW is simply insane.

In fights contested at MW, he beat Charley Burley x 3, Lloyd Marshall x 2, Bert Lytell, Eddie Booker, Cocoa Kid, Jack Chase x 4, Aaron Wade, Kid Tunero x 3, Jose Basora x 3, Frankie Britt x 2, Joe Carter x 2, Steve Belloise, Antonio Fernandez and Sampson Powell x 2.

He lost plenty to those guys to, which is why at #11, he falls just short of my top 10 MWs of all time, but if I were to rank MWs based solely on the quality of their top 25 wins, Williams may well be my number 1.

 

Truly a very impressive MW resume indeed.

 

Ken Overlin

 

Great shout, as are 3 of Ken's opponents (one of whom I've already mentioned on this thread), Freddie Steele, Fred Apostoli and Teddy Yarosz.

 

He also beat a pretty green Ezzard Charles, but that same Ezzard Charles would beat Burley just a year later.

 

Ceferino Garcia is severely underrated as well. Still not sure why he's still not in the IBHOF.

 

Bert Lytell