Tony Tucker most underrated fighter?

That's an excellent point, I can't say he's underrated because I always felt he could have done more with what he had. If he fought today? He'd have a belt at some point

 

I got him at number 3 as the best heavy in the 1980,s

 

1-Tyson
2-Holmes
3-TT
4-Tim Witherspoon
5-Pinklon Thomas

 

I'm guilty of thinking it every time I hear Tony Tucker, just end up thinking of the disasterpiece haircut from Rise of the Footsoldier

 

Overrated IMO his first 30 or so fights were against absolute nobodies, he's mostly known for his losses rather than wins. He doesn't have one stand out performance against an elite Heavyweight unless you count Buster Douglas, who wasn't highly thought of at the time. And even then Douglas was a mile infront until he quit and basically did a Golota.

Tucker's "wins" over Norris were highly controversial especially the first meeting in which many thought Norris won, and he barely beat McCall via "Split decision". Tucker never fought any of the known 80's contenders like Page, Tubbs, Witherspoon, etc.

Tucker did go the distance with a prime Tyson and he deserves credit for that, but he doesn't actually have any stand out wins or performances on his resume. And i think when a fighter is only ever judged on his losses then you have your answer right there.

 

Not even close to top 3

Tyson
Holmes
Thomas
Witherspoon
Page
Weaver
Coetzee
Tubbs

 

All these guys ( except Tyson ) were ko,d...not Tucker ( in the 1980,s )

 

If not for the Smith fight ( rematch ) i would put Tim on the third place ( he lost in round 1 in a huge upset )

 

They all achieved far more than Tucker did in the 80s. All Tucker did in the 80s was beat James Broad, and Buster Douglas who wasn't that highly thought of at the time.

 

I've posted this before but its relevant here
Tucker also barely fought anyone of note before Douglas (Bey I think) and he was out for what (at the time) was a considerable amount of time due to a freak knee injury in a fight. I think that hurt his mobility a bit. Then after the Tyson fight he got into drugs and I believe another lay off happened. He also had a habit of not fighting with urgency at times and being a little too passive. He also went into the Tyson fight with a bad hand if I'm remembering that right.

That being said he was a good fighter, also a bit unlucky and wasted potential. On paper should of done more but context is needed when evaluating him.

Whenever I see best heavyweights of the 80s mentioned Tucker is usually somewhere in the top 10 if not the top 5, despite his mostly pedestrian opposition in the 80s minus Tyson and Douglas. I think he's generally rated just fine.

 

Your last comment is pretty spot on, the fact is Tucker outside of his well known losses. Never looked that impressive when he stepped up in class vs Norris, Douglas, McCall. Had he fought more of the well known 80s contenders, and had more stand out performances. It would be easier to rate him, but i think overall he gets overrated on this forum.

 

Had he not threw his career away by being a partier, he may have been a huge name.