Your most over-rated boxer

Random heavyweight musings:

I don't think Dempsey's overrated anymore. At least not on here or near to the extent he was before, except from some diehards that, let's face it, every popular fighter typically has.

These things tend to go in cycles- after a fighter gets built up too much, the pendulum swings in the other direction and they can become a little too maligned.

Who others overrate? The "Ali as unbeatable demigod" crowd has quieted down a bit. Lately, it seems like Liston's value is peaking a bit too high for my tastes as it comes to accomplishment and H2H ratings. But that'll regress in awhile.

As far as who I overrate? Most would say Wlad, who I would rate top 5 (at worst) if he retired now because my rankings heavily reward longevity and dominance. H2H, he's great, but I weigh achievements heavier.

 

One thing which must be said is that rarely is someone overrated if they did something to be included in the conversation. For all my misgivings about his accomplishments, Dempsey IS in the conversation of great heavies. He obviously changed the game and had a profound effect on the spectators of his time. That is irrefutable.

 

Sound point!

 

Most of Norris better wins were against over the hill welterweights, he has one excellent win over Leonard but even he was past his best as well. Mugabi was very average, he lost his title to the legendary Keith Mullings, got KTFO when he faced an A level fighter his own size (Jackson) he was also glass jawed and on top of that he was a dirty SOB in the ring, hitting people when they were down.

 

I don't think Hagler is overrated as such (clearly one of the best of one of the best divisions), but as a "blue collar old school" fighter (whatever that means) he sure is shielded from criticism especially reserved for "flashy mainstream" fighters. Leonard and Jones, for example, amazingly get much more stick for moving up in weight than Hagler for not doing it (not that I see anything wrong with him staying in the division he was best suited for).

I'd also say his less than convincing performances against Duran and Leonard get somewhat glossed over. Well, the crazier fans just resort to mind blowing revisionism to the tune that Leonard took five years off drinking and coking waiting for Hagler to become ripe for the taking.

 

well since Leonard AND Mugabi were both favored to win but lost, and Mugabi WAS champion at the time while Leonard was a five time champion with no losses in 11 years and favored 3-1 to win

not to mention the fact he had no problem with Duran, boxing, moving, frustrating Duran with non stop movement thru out

he just couldnt do it with someone like Terry who reduced him to a limited one dimensional plodder. In short, Terry had ray bewitched, bothered N bewildered

NO ONE gave Terry a chance

so it's VERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRY hard to knock his accomplishment and that means Terry was much better than anyone expected him to be

as for Leonard, he never had the style to beat anyone of Terry's style (like they say, styles make fights) Norris anyways so the point is moot

and his chin was also underrated. head to head vs Leonard, it's TWO KD's for Norris, none for Leonard. Terry never so much as wobbled. That means his chin was stronger than Leonard's

people are just looking for ways to underrate him becuz they hate him so much for actually ACCOMPLISHING what they weren't expecting

so let's take these important facts into consideration when evaluating fighters instead of letting our personal feelings decide for us

 

you sure about that?

This coming from the same fighter who always looked away from Hagler and had no interest then suddenly comes running after him after five years. Hagler was **** by that time (refer to commentary in round 6)

let's not forget the sudden interest after watching Duran extend him 15 which no doubt prompted his comeback before he aborted after one fight

i'd say my side has more of a case than yours

 

There was nothing left to polish.

He was as good as anybody was ever likely to get with that particular unorthodox style.

 

The reasons why Dempsey finds himself much further down lists than he once did are well circulated, but as a strict hazard the 23-24 year old Mauler must rank highly:

-The swiftest feet after Ali
-Was there a better inside fighter at heavyweight?
-The rangiest, most versatile of the elite sluggers

It's difficult to think of a nightmare style for him.

 

Old Foreman

Barrera

 

I don't know how many?

How good were these famers beaten by Greb? Greb is great but did he have great skills?

His technique shadow boxing wasn't really impressive.

 

Judging by what I saw on film , Johnson would paste a lot of top guys around today.

 

With regard to Dempsey, I think that the criticism of him is now so widespread, that it has to be factored into any assessment of how he is currently regarded.

Once you have done that, it is difficult to argue the case for him being one of the more overrated heavyweight champions, and indeed he might now be underrated.