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This thread is always beat to death, but often times I see people just throw names out there who don't necessarily deserve the title of being "underrated". A few names which come to mind for me:
Michael Watson
Ike Quartey
Esteban DeJesus
For a good period of time, these men were among the very best fighters in the sport or in their respective weight class.
Watson was able to largely outbox Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank before the tragic events of their second fight. He probably should have gotten the nod against Eu their first go around and he was on his way to winning their second before getting caught with some ridiculous shots. Watson also gave a spirited effort against another severely underrated boxer in Mike McCallum, before fading late and suffering a vicious knockout loss. Watson was a fine boxer who possessed great skill, toughness and focus in the ring. Many don't remember just how good he was for quite some time there.
Quartey inspired me to make this thread. The guy was as good as any other Welterweight (yeah Trinidad and De La Hoya) at his best. I feel he actually beat Oscar and Forrest, but that's another story. From '93-'96 he was a scary opponent for any Welterweight throughout history. He could win fights on his jab and physical strength alone (Jung Oh Park and Phillips for example). He often walked through his opponent with his ramrod jab and a chopping right hand behind it. He also possessed a strong left hook which he'd use upstairs and down. Too bad inactivity and inconsistency plagued his career. He was a hall of fame type of fighter.
DeJesus was the first man to beat Duran. He beat him in his prime. That right there tells you what type of fighter DeJesus was. He later captured the Lightweight crown but never quite returned to the form which saw him outbox the great Duran. At his best he was a GREAT Lightweight, a fighter who could have thrown hands with any other great Lightweight throughout history. The events at the end of his life were quite sad, but he should be remembered for the great champ he was.
Michael Watson
Ike Quartey
Esteban DeJesus
For a good period of time, these men were among the very best fighters in the sport or in their respective weight class.
Watson was able to largely outbox Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank before the tragic events of their second fight. He probably should have gotten the nod against Eu their first go around and he was on his way to winning their second before getting caught with some ridiculous shots. Watson also gave a spirited effort against another severely underrated boxer in Mike McCallum, before fading late and suffering a vicious knockout loss. Watson was a fine boxer who possessed great skill, toughness and focus in the ring. Many don't remember just how good he was for quite some time there.
Quartey inspired me to make this thread. The guy was as good as any other Welterweight (yeah Trinidad and De La Hoya) at his best. I feel he actually beat Oscar and Forrest, but that's another story. From '93-'96 he was a scary opponent for any Welterweight throughout history. He could win fights on his jab and physical strength alone (Jung Oh Park and Phillips for example). He often walked through his opponent with his ramrod jab and a chopping right hand behind it. He also possessed a strong left hook which he'd use upstairs and down. Too bad inactivity and inconsistency plagued his career. He was a hall of fame type of fighter.
DeJesus was the first man to beat Duran. He beat him in his prime. That right there tells you what type of fighter DeJesus was. He later captured the Lightweight crown but never quite returned to the form which saw him outbox the great Duran. At his best he was a GREAT Lightweight, a fighter who could have thrown hands with any other great Lightweight throughout history. The events at the end of his life were quite sad, but he should be remembered for the great champ he was.
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