Underrated & Overrated Aspects of Some Boxers

Ray Mercer: Overrated power, underrated handspeed and boxing ability.

 

I disagree on Frazier - in fact, I'd argue his punch variety qualifies for the "underrated" category. Although his hook was unquestionably his most fluid & potent weapon, he used his jab, right uppercut, & overhand right all very effectively in fights like this 1 vs. Quarry:

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In a similar vein, I'd argue Marciano's punch variety is underrated as well - although he's mainly remembered for his "Suzie Q" right, he used his left very effectively from a variety of angles to catch Moore going in & out of his crouching, weaving defense.

 

Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

Vitali Klitschko:

Overrated: Power

Underrated: Ring Generalship

 

Riddick Bowe:

Overrated: Inside fighting
Underrated: Heart

 

Mike Tyson:

Overrated: Power
Underrated: Skills

The lower echelon, the majority of the boxing world overlook Tyson's skills, especially his jab. Although he threw lots of power punches; hooks and uppercuts, his jab is the reason why he was able to throw and land punches. Although he used all of his energy into the first round, he outjabbed Lewis and was able to slip punches to deploy it, was able to outjab Tony Tucker who enjoyed a significant height and reach advantage, along with James Smith, Pinklon Thomas and Razor Ruddock. Even removed Mitch Green's mouthguard with a power jab.

His power, however, is something casuals always bring up. Although he wasn't feather-fisted and definitely had knockout power. there have been people before him that had brick hands. He built his explosiveness in the legs, where the weight of those quads would transfer into his knuckles.

 

This. People not just think Tyson hit harder than Lyle they think its outlandish you think Lyle hit harder. Tysons power was enough to fight the way he did. There was nothing all time about it. Tyson should be in that group of fighters who overcame vast physical advantages but that inteferes with manys nostaglic memorys of him as an overpowering force of nature.

 

Saoul Mamby
Overrated:speed
Underrated:infighting
I don't see much people discuss about Mamby,but i do think he's quite slow when it comes to punching, probably because of his kinda sloppy punching form,I also found a similar case when he tries to move around or dodge he had just average speed.


The thing that saves him from getting stopped with that kind of speed,other than his chin might be his infighting, there's plenty of moments where Mamby would lean in/smother a dude's punch with an underhook,then he counters them with his wide left slappy hook.



Roberto Duran
Overratedower
Underrated:hand speed
His hand speed is probably the least thing talked about him imo, Palomino literally said that his speed was the one that caught Palomino off guard everytime Duran attacks,for his power,I do think he's more of a dude that will drain you slowly and left you out cold.



Daniel Zaragoza
Overrated:defense
Underrated:timing
Tbh,his timing is kinda underrated for me,he rocked Morales several times with that telegraphed overhand,I think it's because of him timing the correct moments with Morales having his guard down,and for his defense,he was technically a bit inconsistent and was also quite,or I should say pretty hittable.



Bobo Olson
Overratedower
Underrated:chin and heart
I'm not really impressed by his power looking at how he punches on the inside at times,very slappy,but his chin is kinda underrated,he atleast had one fight where he actually made Robinson look bad.

 

I've never heard any1 rate Olson's power, he's always been regarded as just an average @best puncher afaik.

 

I thought so of his power because he did have some good stoppages (rindone and marshall) but overall it doesn't reflect much.

 

Really good post.

 

Marshall was shot to bits by then.

 

I think Marvin Hagler is a bit overrated as a “destroyer” he wasn’t some unstoppable monster or anything like people say, that impression existed maybe against Hearns but against Vito, Duran, Leonard and Hamsho he seemed a bit boxing timid or in his own head… Wilfredo Benitez is hysterically overrated in aspects he is a genuine hero of mine but come on he was good at not being hit but his offensive capability was “eh” Finito Lopez is just underrated in general as a boxer he was genuinely great but his competition wasn’t Duran was great a really great inside fighter but people seem to think he’d just beat JCC Snr there senseless because??? They both showed they were great there, similar size etc so in some respects he gets bigged up a bit too much as if no other 135lber could hang - I didn’t think the day could come or would come but Robinson is made out to be a bit more vulnerable then I remember? He's literally the GOAT at 147lbs he wouldn’t lose to Burley he wouldn’t be close with Duran or Ray Leonard etc he’s the most obvious fistic Demi God that makes sense… I don’t understand turning Foreman into Godzilla but Robinson sometimes getting bizarre skeptic eyes I’ve noticed people saying he and Mayweather would be close or whatever… no he’d mince him, he’d mince Hearns, he’d mince Benitez he’d mince Leonard and he’d mince Duran he’s Ray Robinson.

 

I get it why Duran was kinda overrated,but I'd pick Mayweather or Napoles to pick him apart better.

Duran vs Chavez most likely ends in a draw because both of them were like different currencies with the same worth.