Who would you consider the most overrated heavyweight of all time?

Liston probably.

 

Not true. Guys like Mike, Lennox or Wlad were being heavily critisized while on top.

 

Completely the opposite for Tyson. He was the most hyped fighter i think I've ever seen. He was the goods too, until Douglas. Tyson mania was incredible.

 

In some circles yes, but after he beat Spinks, the boxing press still wasn't convinced. They doubted he was greater than Dempsey or Marciano, let alone Ali. They were saying he dominated a weak HW era with no true great to test him. Usual old head talking points. He got more hype in the 90's, when in some people's eyes division was even weaker, and Mike was supposed to be the best heavyweight in the world, even in prison.

 

Mike and Lennox were always highly rated. Wlad because of his KOs was given a harder time.

 

I'm not sure what press you were reading but it's a lot different to mine. Reasonably early in his title reign i saw mags favoring him over everyone except one or two in history....at that point in time. Glowing articles were abound, beyond glowing actually.

 

Wlad, Joshua a few years back.

 

Lewis was considered boring, too calculated and accused of waiting out his opponents. His rating rose only after he retired.

 

Jack Johnson. Fought in a primitive era oftentimes against much smaller men and used tactics that would make John Ruiz blush. Significance wise he might be at the top or near the top. Actual accomplishment wise he’s not.

 

So reading the responses seeing Lennox, Ali , foreman, tyson , quarry, mercer,

So basically every Heavyweight who has been world champion or not is overrated, amazing

 

Agreed on Liston. he was the proverbial big fish in a small pond, & the manner in which he surrendered his title to a still-greenish Ali was inexcusable IMO.

I've seen people on here claim that he would simply walk thru either Klitschko, which is completely uncorroborated (& arguably contradicted by) what we actually saw from him in the ring.

 

Wait, you're telling me he gets rated ... 1 SPOT HIGHER than he should be ???

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Larry Holmes by a landslide. And I could go on for hours why.

 

Mike was not criticized during his reign. He was hyped to the moon and back.