Not really. They are underrated by some and overrated by others. I rank Holmes at TOP-5, Lewis and Liston at TOP-10, as most do I believe. I think that's not underrating.
Holmes is underrated because he was robbed of tying marciano's record. (in my book he broke it) He will also be remembered as the guy who was one short of tying marciano's record. Liston is underrated because of the fixed ali fights. People think of him now as a bully who had no heart. Liston took Cleveland Williams shots including one that broke his nose and he seemed like he almost liked it. He came back to knock Williams out. He fought 6 rounds with a broken jaw.
I do agree about Liston. When his name is mentioned to the casual fight fan, the first and sometime only things that spring to mind are the one round blowouts against a undersized scared Patterson and the poor performances against Ali. Its like, that the total summary of his career
Joe Frazier, only 2 losses were to ATG's.. Listening to the revisionists he was chinny and weak. Watched his Quarry and Ellis fights recently. Frazier was an animal. Ken Norton, He has his losses to some ATG punchers in Foreman, Shavers and Cooney at the end. But in the ring with someone less powerful, he's going to give them hell. Tim Witherspoon, Like most of the 80's HW's he had issues with drugs and Don King. He also wasn't as conditioned as he could have been at times. But he was strong and powerful. Would have been a tough fight for any champion in the history of the division.
Great choices all get overlooked because they were denied their chance at greatness against highly respected champions. Well they were great I should say recognition as being great.
John L Sullivan – many people have come to view him as a glorified bar room brawler, as opposed to the phenomenal athletic talent he actually was. Jess Willard – has become collateral damage in the attacks against both Johnson and Dempsey. For all his failings, he was something very very significant. Primo Carnera – whatever advantages his criminal connections might have bought him, they have lost him far far more in terms of his historical standing.