10 most overrated boxers today!

10) “King Arthur” Abraham (29-0, 23 KOs) The upside: The IBF titlist and Ring #1 contender has established himself as one of the best two middleweights (160 lbs) in the world and looked terrific stopping Edison Miranda last year in their rematch. The downside: He received a gift from the referee and judges in the first Miranda fight and owns a record inflated by bogus challengers. Maybe he’s the true “king” of the division, but we can’t assume that based his best win coming over Miranda. 9) Ricky “Hitman” Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) How can I include the man who’s ruled the junior welterweight (140) division for four years? Because, though he remained the division’s best until the Pacman’s arrival, the “progress” shown in the win over Paulie Malignaggi in November has been overstated. His defensive liabilities remained, the opponent just changed to one who matched up terribly with Hatton. 8 Sergio Martinez (44-1-2, 24 KOs) HBO has fallen in love with Martinez, a very fast southpaw. The fact, however, that he has managed to go 47 bouts without us knowing who he is speaks volumes about his caliber of opponents. Alex Bunema and Kermit Cintron were good B-level opposition; now it’s time to see Martinez in against the A-listers. 8) Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan (32-1-1, 26 KOs) Undoubtedly, Darchinyan put on a spectacular performance against Cristian Mijares at the end of 2008. But #10 pound-for-pound by Ring? He’s still only one year removed from a draw with Z Gorres and two years from being dominated by Nonito Donaire, who’s not on their list. Against Jorge Arce, openings existed; Arce just couldn’t take advantage. 7) James Kirkland (25-0, 22 KOs) This former prospect has graduated to #1 WBA-WBO 154 lb. contender with impressive recent wins, including over Joel Julio last month. Yet he is not, as some suggest, an indestructible force. If he can get back onto the right path (he was arrested Sunday on a weapons charge), he’ll be among the best, but he’s not there yet; I’d favor fellow junior middleweight (154) Alfredo Angulo over Kirkland. 5) Oleg Maskaev (36-6, 27 KOs) Why is this 40 year old Russian ranked in the top five by the IBF and WBC when he stands no more than a lucky puncher’s chance against the Klitschko brothers? He’s had a decent career featuring two come-from-behind knockouts of one-punch champ Hasim Rahman along with all six of his losses by knockout, but no hopers don’t belong in the top 10. 4) Michael “The Great” Katsidis (25-2, 21 KOs) This Greek has a fan-friendly style that endears him to boxing critics, but he’s a poor man’s Ricky Hatton. If you can withstand his physical attack, and many will be able to, you’ll break him down. 3) Celestino Caballero (31-2, 22 KOs) After his unification win over then solid-but-unspectacular IBF 122 lb. titlist Steve Molitor, coupled with Mijares’ drubbing by Darchinyan, Caballero has become the boxer du jour of commentators. Until he puts an Israel Vazquez, Rafael Marquez, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chris John or even Yuriorkis Gamboa on his resume, his top ten status in Ring’s pound-for-pound list is dubious. I’ll give you five right now who belong above him: Paul Williams, Chad Dawson, Miguel Cotto, Josh Clottey and Lopez. Give me a couple minutes and I’ll name five more. 2) Kermit Cintron (30-2-1, 27 KOs) Go ahead and give him back the two losses to Antonio Margarito, and still look at his resume: a gift draw with Sergio Martinez and nothing else to speak of in terms of being at the sport’s pinnacle. Against the right opponent, he’s still a good TV fighter, but he has yet to prove much else. Look for Angulo to pick him apart this summer. 1) Zab “Super” Judah (37-6, 25 KOs) While the margin of error for most in boxing is negligible, Judah continues to get a pass (see his top ten welterweight ranking by ESPN and the Ring) despite having beaten absolutely no one since he wore the division’s crown in 2005. He’s 3-4 with 1 no contest since then, yet we let him coast. Why? Let him earn it, like everybody else. Brian Gorman ringtalk.com

Comments (20)

Abraham overrated?? I think he's 1 of the most UNDERRATED fighters in the game today. I think the eurobum could beat Pavlik in a unification bout. If he became undisputed middleweight champ would u guys still call him overrated

17y ago

Eaner0919

I'm not and to be honest I hope I am proven right. Zab is a derth on boxing.

17y ago

supcuhz211

no had it been years past maybe but the problematic thing with Zab is that not only has he not shown fortitude short of the Cotto fight but now his skillset is erroding to where he is no longer the fighter people perceive him to be. The Clottey fight was one thing but when you are going rounds with the likes of Ernest Johnson and Edwin Vazquez your skills are no longer being counted on to get you by and also Zab commited an act of desperation in hoping that a move back down to 140 would do him some good. He already has shi.t discipline so him shedding ther extra 7 he had at welter isn't going to do him any favors because now instead of just training he will actually have to sweat the addtional pounds off. Zab is doomed. Erroding skills plus a less than courageous approach smell of bad times ahead haha look man.. i hope you're wrong!

17y ago

Eaner0919

zab has the talent to get back up there. only if can get some balls and hang in there. talent wise i think he can get back up there.. his will and dedication is another story. i can only hope. his making a comeback so we will see. no had it been years past maybe but the problematic thing with Zab is that not only has he not shown fortitude short of the Cotto fight but now his skillset is erroding to where he is no longer the fighter people perceive him to be. The Clottey fight was one thing but when you are going rounds with the likes of Ernest Johnson and Edwin Vazquez your skills are no longer being counted on to get you by and also Zab commited an act of desperation in hoping that a move back down to 140 would do him some good. He already has shi.t discipline so him shedding ther extra 7 he had at welter isn't going to do him any favors because now instead of just training he will actually have to sweat the addtional pounds off. Zab is doomed. Erroding skills plus a less than courageous approach smell of bad times ahead

17y ago

Horus8731

where is the 4 time Vacant title winner at on the list?

17y ago

supcuhz211

How is Hatton over-rated? look at the guys he has beat. Of course Zab is over-rated just like a Pavlik or Gamboa or De Leon. zab talent wise is not overrated. pavlik is not overrated he ko'd jt and ud'd him in two fights. gamboa u may think he is overrated until he flattens out caballero come sept.

17y ago

supcuhz211

very quick hands but shitty footwork. Wrong footed himself a s.hitload. Defense was crap considering how quick he was. Through pretty punches but rare was the time they came in sequence and his power is vastly overated. zab has the talent to get back up there. only if can get some balls and hang in there. talent wise i think he can get back up there.. his will and dedication is another story. i can only hope. his making a comeback so we will see.

17y ago

supcuhz211

Not saying he wont..We rate fighters based on accomplishment, skills,etc............skills and heart havent been tested yet imo because he hasnt faced anyone noteworthy........yet......... you cant call proven champions overrated then proclaim a prospect an ATG.........fact is your argument donesnt make any sense....... im not saying gamboa is an all time great. im saying he will be. the fact is if you read it properly we wouldn't be having this conversation.

17y ago

Eaner0919

so you're saying zabs talent is overrated? becaue i dont think it is. very quick hands but shitty footwork. Wrong footed himself a s.hitload. Defense was crap considering how quick he was. Through pretty punches but rare was the time they came in sequence and his power is vastly overated.

17y ago

supcuhz211

So he's overrated by you! so you're saying zabs talent is overrated? becaue i dont think it is.

17y ago

Tankster

gerry wont go pass 5 I also thought the same in the de leon and gonzales fight. But he proved me wrong I wont doubt him this time.

17y ago

supcuhz211

i would love to see a ko but i think it will be better for him to go deep in the fight. his last 3 has been 1st rd kos... gerry is smart and will be cautious. jml should show his boxing skills to the world in this fight, hurt the body early and finish him late.:boxing: gerry wont go pass 5

17y ago

squealpiggy

super judah can get in the top 10 p4p rankings if he maintains focus. So he's overrated by you!

17y ago

Tankster

17y ago

RRICAN

Yes i did KOs on both de leon and medina was impressive. But if he losses to penalosa then he is overated simple as that. If he manages to KO gerry then i will be a believer because nobody has done that in 70 fights. i would love to see a ko but i think it will be better for him to go deep in the fight. his last 3 has been 1st rd kos... gerry is smart and will be cautious. jml should show his boxing skills to the world in this fight, hurt the body early and finish him late.:boxing:

17y ago

supcuhz211

Gamboa ATG?........talk about premature.LOL.He's a good prospect right now........You shouldnt be calling proven fighters overrated with a sig like yours............true story.....:boxing::boxing::boxing: he wil be up there with the best of them..... ONE DAY!

17y ago

supcuhz211

thanks for proving my theory .... hey np. you're the one that came to me.

17y ago

Boxzilla

old enough to get your mom have my babies. thanks for proving my theory ....

17y ago

Tankster

have u seen him fight? :boxing: Yes i did KOs on both de leon and medina was impressive. But if he losses to penalosa then he is overated simple as that. If he manages to KO gerry then i will be a believer because nobody has done that in 70 fights.

17y ago

supcuhz211

u really have no clue ... how old are u, the way u post it sounds like ur still waiting for ur pubes to come in ... old enough to get your mom to have my babies.

17y ago