Most Underrated Boxers of All Time: Champions You Need to Know

Introduction: Boxing is a sport filled with legends, but some of the most underrated boxers of all time are often overlooked. In this article, we will explore these underrated boxers, highlighting why they have been overshadowed despite their incredible skills. From Larry Holmes to Shakur Stevenson, these underrated boxers have made significant contributions to the sport but haven’t received the recognition they deserve.

Larry Holmes: The Most Underrated Heavyweight Champion

Larry Holmes is frequently cited as one of the most underrated boxers of all time. Often called “The Easton Assassin,” he reigned as the heavyweight champion from 1978 to 1985, successfully defending his title 20 times. Holmes’ career record boasts 69 wins and only 6 losses, showcasing one of the best jabs in the sport.

Despite his accolades, Holmes has never been given a fair shot by the press or fans, primarily due to his similarities to Muhammad Ali. Even when Holmes defeated a clearly past-prime Ali in 1980, many fans resented him instead of celebrating his achievement. This unfortunate timing and lack of media-friendly charisma have kept Holmes in the shadows of boxing history, making him one of the most underrated boxers.

Michael Spinks: The Underrated Light-Heavyweight Champion

Michael Spinks is another fighter who deserves recognition as one of the most underrated boxers of all time. He made history by becoming the first light-heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight title, defeating Larry Holmes in 1985. Spinks held an impressive record of 31-1, with his only loss coming against Mike Tyson.

However, Spinks is often overshadowed by his brief, devastating defeat to Tyson, which occurred in just 91 seconds. His incredible accomplishments, including an undefeated light-heavyweight run, are frequently overlooked due to the impact of that singular loss. Many fans fail to recognize Spinks as one of the greats, which is a clear example of how he has become an underrated boxer.

Joe Calzaghe: The Undefeated and Underrated Champion

Joe Calzaghe, a two-time world champion with an undefeated record of 46-0, is yet another of the most underrated boxers. He reigned as the super-middleweight champion for over a decade, successfully defending his title 21 times against elite competition.

Despite his accomplishments, Calzaghe is often overlooked in discussions about the greatest boxers. Many attribute this to his lengthy career primarily based in Europe, which limited his exposure to the American boxing audience. His supposed avoidance of prime competition in the early 2000s has further hampered his legacy, making him one of the most underrated boxers of his era.

Shakur Stevenson: The Safe Yet Underrated Talent

Shakur Stevenson, one of the brightest young talents in boxing today, also falls into the category of underrated boxers. The two-time Olympic medalist has quickly made a name for himself with an impressive record, but he often struggles to gain mainstream attention.

His boxing style is characterized as “too safe,” focusing on defense and technical skill rather than aggression. While effective, this cautious approach makes it difficult for him to sell fights, causing him to be overlooked despite his immense talent. Stevenson is an example of the most underrated boxers in the current landscape of boxing.

Ernesto Marcel: The Forgotten Featherweight Champion

Ernesto Marcel, a Panamanian featherweight champion, is often forgotten when discussing the most underrated boxers of all time. Marcel held the WBA featherweight title from 1972 to 1974, and his career was highlighted by a victory over Alexis Argüello, one of the greatest lightweights of all time.

Marcel’s relatively short career and early retirement at age 26 meant he didn’t build the long legacy that many other champions did. As a result, he is often left out of conversations about featherweight greats, making him one of the most underrated boxers in that weight class.

Winky Wright: The Defensive Genius Often Overlooked

Ronald “Winky” Wright is another boxer who consistently went underrated during his career. Known for his defensive prowess and tight guard, Wright held multiple world championships across the light-middleweight and middleweight divisions. Key victories include wins over Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad, both of whom were considered pound-for-pound greats at the time.

Wright’s defensive style made him less marketable to casual fans, and many top fighters avoided him in his prime, which limited his opportunities for high-profile bouts and kept him under the radar, cementing his status as one of the most underrated boxers of his generation.

Nicolino Locche: The Untouchable Yet Underrated Boxer

Argentinian boxer Nicolino Locche, known as “The Untouchable,” was a master of defensive boxing. With a record of 117 wins, 4 losses, and 14 draws, Locche was a defensive wizard who relied on head movement, anticipation, and counter-punching to dominate his opponents.

Despite his talent, Locche’s style didn’t prioritize aggression, leading to a lack of recognition compared to more offensive-minded fighters. This has resulted in him being labeled as one of boxing’s most underrated boxers.

Why These Boxers Are Considered Underrated

The most underrated boxers of all time often share similar challenges: timing, style, or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks fought in the shadows of legends like Muhammad Ali, which made it difficult to receive the same adoration. Joe Calzaghe, Ernesto Marcel, Winky Wright, Nicolino Locche, and Shakur Stevenson displayed immense talent, but their defensive styles and lack of dramatic knockouts prevented them from becoming household names. These underrated boxers deserve recognition for their contributions to the sport.

Conclusion: Recognizing the Most Underrated Boxers

Boxing is filled with incredible fighters, but not all of them receive the respect they deserve. Champions like Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, Joe Calzaghe, Shakur Stevenson, and others showcased their skills and contributions to the sport. Recognizing these most underrated boxers of all time is essential, as their impact is just as significant as that of the more famous names.

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FAQs about the Most Underrated Boxers

Q: Why is Larry Holmes considered one of the most underrated boxers?

A: Holmes is considered underrated because, despite his dominance in the heavyweight division, he was overshadowed by Muhammad Ali and never received the same level of admiration from fans or the media.

Q: Why did Michael Spinks’ legacy suffer?

A: Spinks’ legacy suffered mainly due to his knockout loss to Mike Tyson, which overshadowed his many accomplishments, including being the first light-heavyweight to win the heavyweight title.

Q: What made Joe Calzaghe an underrated boxer?

A: Calzaghe’s undefeated record was often overlooked due to his career being based in Europe, limiting his exposure in the U.S. His dominance in the super-middleweight division is often underappreciated as a result.

Q: Why is Shakur Stevenson not getting the recognition he deserves?

A: Stevenson is seen as underrated because his boxing style is very safe and technical, which can make his fights less exciting. This has affected his ability to sell fights and gain mainstream attention.

Q: Why is Winky Wright not celebrated as much as other champions?

A: Winky Wright’s defensive style made him less marketable to casual fans, and many top fighters avoided him in his prime, limiting his big-name fights and keeping him under the radar.

Q: Why is Nicolino Locche considered one of the most underrated boxers?

A: Locche’s masterful defensive style and lack of aggressive bouts left him overlooked in conversations about featherweight greats, despite his impressive record and skills.