most overrated fighters in history

[BKM-]

Liston is always on the ATG lists

that is overrated not underrated IMO

Like Poet says, it's because he belongs there. Most people that do rate him place him in the lower top 10. That's pretty accurate, but no, he is often ignored/forgotten because of his accomplishments. But if you analyze his skills and abilities in his prime you wonder how he's not as popular as other fighters.

Liston is always on people's ATG list because he belongs there. He was more than just "that dude that lost to Clay": People have really forgotten how good Sonny was in his prime; back when he was smashing Cleveland Williams twice. You really need to watch more fights: Just because you haven't seen someone on HBO doesn't mean he wasn't any good.

Poet

Liston was unfortunate to peak late in age, and in an era where there weren't enough all time greats for him to beat. Not to mention that young Lion Cassius Clay who proved to be the antichrist for him in and out of the ring. So I agree, he is often overshadowed and ignored.

[guerrerosoul]

Pernell Whitaker, was a runner just like Mayweather and Joan Guzman, they are just in the wrong sport they should have tried Track and field, they just bored the hell out of me.

[Dynamite Kid]

Liston is always on people's ATG list because he belongs there. He was more than just "that dude that lost to Clay": People have really forgotten how good Sonny was in his prime; back when he was smashing Cleveland Williams twice. You really need to watch more fights: Just because you haven't seen someone on HBO doesn't mean he wasn't any good.

Poet

he was flat footed did not know how to cut the ring down and was not an intelligent fighter thats why he pulled his arm out the socket trying to hit thin air and why he kept coming foward in straight lines against Ali

he had a long jab agreed but not a very good one

i hate to shatter peoples illusions but just because they old it does not make the better or untouchable or imune to criticism

[Poet682006]

he was flat footed did not know how to cut the ring down and was not an intelligent fighter thats why he pulled his arm out the socket trying to hit thin air and why he kept coming foward in straight lines against Ali

he had a long jab agreed but not a very good one

i hate to shatter peoples illusions but just because they old it does not make the better or untouchable or imune to criticism

Liston was flat-footed? You mean like Foreman and Tyson? Punchers usually ARE flat-footed. Nobody cut off the ring against a prime Ali. Boxing historians consider Liston's jab (along with Holmes and Louis) to be one of the three best in Heavyweight history. Now who am I suppose to give more weight to? Boxing historians who actually KNOW a thing or two about boxing; or you, who for all I know doesn't know f**k all?

I hate to shatter your illusions but just because a fighter is "modern" does not make them better or untouchable or imune to criticism.

Poet

[joseph5620]

Honestly, I get the feeling that most of these "boxing fans" didn't even watch that. It was a good series if you took it in the right context. They just watch when their favorite unbeaten fighter is on HBO. If he loses then they look for a new hero.

Agreed. I think Legendary nights focuses more on the drama surrounding the fight rather than the greatness of the fighter. The best one I watched was the Chavez-Taylor one episode. That one had tragic overtones that I really didn't take into consideration until I watched it. I knew it was bad though. Richard Steels actions were disgraceful.

[KnockoutTheFat]

Prime Mike Tyson because of catskills23

[Pico Hollywood]

Prime Mike Tyson because of catskills23

Catskills said he had tourette's syndrome

[Flawless.]

Mikkel Kessler has to be up there. Look at his resume weak as hell and look how Calzaghe dominated him.

[joseph5620]

he was flat footed did not know how to cut the ring down and was not an intelligent fighter thats why he pulled his arm out the socket trying to hit thin air and why he kept coming foward in straight lines against Ali

he had a long jab agreed but not a very good one

i hate to shatter peoples illusions but just because they old it does not make the better or untouchable or imune to criticism

That's not accurate. Liston was very good at cutting off the ring which is why he was knocking just about everybody out. All top fighters in the division too. When he fought Ali he was facing the fastest heavyweight in the history of boxing. And no heavyweight before or since moved with the refexes of that version of Ali. As for the jab, Liston had one of the most punishing, powerful jabs in history. Rread up on what a 39 year old Liston's jab did to Chuck Wepner's face. Liston had one of the best heavyweight jabs in history and that's not debatable. This is not coming from an old guy either.

[joseph5620]

Boxrec.com has created a generation of boxing fans with no substance or depth.

This thread clearly shows that.