Thread: Unknown and underappreciated

Hate to derail the always stimulating Floyd discussions, but was wondering what fighters you feel were/had ATG skills in the ring, but never received the appropriate recognition. Rigo is a current fighter who I feel fits this category, but I would like to focus on 4 from the past:
1. Ricardo Finito Lopez: In my opinion equal in skill to Floyd, Hop, Ward, Rigo...etc., and blessed with one punch power, solid balance and above average speed. His combinations and ring generalship are the epitome/definition of "textbook". Finito wasn't only skill though, as he had to dig deep and fight his heart out in both fights vs Rosendo Alvarez. Due to his small stature he never really captured the attention of casual fans, which is a shame because he was a fantastic fighter.
2. Marc Too Sharp Johnson: Great southpaw fighter who could punch HARD when he wanted/needed to. Sought many of the big fights of his time but suffered from two curses that prevented him from fighting the big names: he fought southpaw and was too good for the money he could bring in.
3. Tim "Cincinattii Kid" Austin: Great all around fighter that was made irrelevant due to being lost in Don Kings stable. Great skills, frightening power, and the toughness to fight through the pain of a broken jaw to get a win.
4. Freddie "Lil' Hagler" Norwood: Another greatly skilled fighter who suffered the southpaw and too dangerous curse. Chased Prince Naseem Hamed for years, but could never secure the big fight. Marvin Hagler is one of my favorite fighters ever, so Freddie had a lot to live up to with that nickname. Anyone who ever saw him fight in his prime knows that he is the one fighter who could've pulled that nickname off.

Great group and all superb talent. Lopez being head and shoulders above the others. The only thing not maximized by Finito and promotion was size I think, always bothered me why not creep into the depths with Carbajal, Yuh or a Gonzalez. As much as I like Carbajal I believe Lopez would have done a number on him late on. One of the most sharp, precise and rounded tacticians seen. Ever watch a guy with the top of screen blocked off? Do it with Lopez..textbook on footwork. Too Sharp was...I say this sober ...just a fast as Jones Jr. and had tremendous reflex. Problem was he liked to shoot it out also and was drawn into exchanges when no need. He and Tapia will go down as a "superfight" missed. Norwood truth be told sabotaged himself from where I watched. Top skill but was undisciplined in and out of ring and a real dirty fighter in spots. Canizales had network exposure but again over shadowed by higher divisions at time, same for a Yuri Arbachakov who blazed a path pre world wide web but few knew him. Today they'd still be p4p but main eventing a network.

Originally Posted by Spicoli

Great group and all superb talent. Lopez being head and shoulders above the others. The only thing not maximized by Finito and promotion was size I think, always bothered me why not creep into the depths with Carbajal, Yuh or a Gonzalez. As much as I like Carbajal I believe Lopez would have done a number on him late on. One of the most sharp, precise and rounded tacticians seen. Ever watch a guy with the top of screen blocked off? Do it with Lopez..textbook on footwork. Too Sharp was...I say this sober ...just a fast as Jones Jr. and had tremendous reflex. Problem was he liked to shoot it out also and was drawn into exchanges when no need. He and Tapia will go down as a "superfight" missed. Norwood truth be told sabotaged himself from where I watched. Top skill but was undisciplined in and out of ring and a real dirty fighter in spots. Canizales had network exposure but again over shadowed by higher divisions at time, same for a Yuri Arbachakov who blazed a path pre world wide web but few knew him. Today they'd still be p4p but main eventing a network.

Great call on Orlando Canizales and Yuri Arbachakov! Yuri was a great puncher for his size and had solid skills, from what I remember. He was the first of the wave of Russian imports like Vitali/Wlad, Kostya...etc. Canizales was just a straight up technician. Talk about a well rounded pro who could do it all in the ring! Great little boxer.

I agree with the Finito vs Carbajal fight. Michael could punch and was a solid boxer, not to mention the bigger man, but I don't think he lasts vs. Lopez. Ricardo was, in my opinion, the best fighter I ever saw in the ring, when you consider the total package. Roy was probably slightly faster and a slightly harder puncher pound for pound, but no where near his versatility or boxing ability. Floyd was faster and just as good of a boxer/technician, but I don't think he has the punch or killer instinct that Finito did. Leonard never looked as polished in the ring or destructive to his opponents body like Lopez was, and as good as Duran was, I don't think he could box like Ricardo. Sweet Pea was as skilled, slightly faster, and better defensively, but nowhere near the offensive threat Lopez was.

Small and fighters from the East and not appreciated. Sot Chitlada and Kalaxy brothers were brilliant fighters.

Originally Posted by mikeeod

Originally Posted by Spicoli

Great group and all superb talent. Lopez being head and shoulders above the others. The only thing not maximized by Finito and promotion was size I think, always bothered me why not creep into the depths with Carbajal, Yuh or a Gonzalez. As much as I like Carbajal I believe Lopez would have done a number on him late on. One of the most sharp, precise and rounded tacticians seen. Ever watch a guy with the top of screen blocked off? Do it with Lopez..textbook on footwork. Too Sharp was...I say this sober ...just a fast as Jones Jr. and had tremendous reflex. Problem was he liked to shoot it out also and was drawn into exchanges when no need. He and Tapia will go down as a "superfight" missed. Norwood truth be told sabotaged himself from where I watched. Top skill but was undisciplined in and out of ring and a real dirty fighter in spots. Canizales had network exposure but again over shadowed by higher divisions at time, same for a Yuri Arbachakov who blazed a path pre world wide web but few knew him. Today they'd still be p4p but main eventing a network.

Great call on Orlando Canizales and Yuri Arbachakov! Yuri was a great puncher for his size and had solid skills, from what I remember. He was the first of the wave of Russian imports like Vitali/Wlad, Kostya...etc. Canizales was just a straight up technician. Talk about a well rounded pro who could do it all in the ring! Great little boxer.

I agree with the Finito vs Carbajal fight. Michael could punch and was a solid boxer, not to mention the bigger man, but I don't think he lasts vs. Lopez. Ricardo was, in my opinion, the best fighter I ever saw in the ring, when you consider the total package. Roy was probably slightly faster and a slightly harder puncher pound for pound, but no where near his versatility or boxing ability. Floyd was faster and just as good of a boxer/technician, but I don't think he has the punch or killer instinct that Finito did. Leonard never looked as polished in the ring or destructive to his opponents body like Lopez was, and as good as Duran was, I don't think he could box like Ricardo. Sweet Pea was as skilled, slightly faster, and better defensively, but nowhere near the offensive threat Lopez was.

Minor detail but Wladimir and Vitali are not Russian. The Ukraine, especially since they basically built Russia should get their credit. Ukraine also producing Lomachenko and the soon to be champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Santos Laciar: A brilliant Argentine Fly/Bantam who came to prominence when he was on the wrong end of a pretty bad hometown decision to our very own then future Flyweight world champ Charlie Magri. Laciar went on to win world titles himself at 112/115; and his series with another who could be listed, Gilberto Roman, was compelling.

Originally Posted by mikeeod

Hate to derail the always stimulating Floyd discussions, but was wondering what fighters you feel were/had ATG skills in the ring, but never received the appropriate recognition. Rigo is a current fighter who I feel fits this category, but I would like to focus on 4 from the past:
1. Ricardo Finito Lopez: In my opinion equal in skill to Floyd, Hop, Ward, Rigo...etc., and blessed with one punch power, solid balance and above average speed. His combinations and ring generalship are the epitome/definition of "textbook". Finito wasn't only skill though, as he had to dig deep and fight his heart out in both fights vs Rosendo Alvarez. Due to his small stature he never really captured the attention of casual fans, which is a shame because he was a fantastic fighter.
2. Marc Too Sharp Johnson: Great southpaw fighter who could punch HARD when he wanted/needed to. Sought many of the big fights of his time but suffered from two curses that prevented him from fighting the big names: he fought southpaw and was too good for the money he could bring in.
3. Tim "Cincinattii Kid" Austin: Great all around fighter that was made irrelevant due to being lost in Don Kings stable. Great skills, frightening power, and the toughness to fight through the pain of a broken jaw to get a win.
4. Freddie "Lil' Hagler" Norwood: Another greatly skilled fighter who suffered the southpaw and too dangerous curse. Chased Prince Naseem Hamed for years, but could never secure the big fight. Marvin Hagler is one of my favorite fighters ever, so Freddie had a lot to live up to with that nickname. Anyone who ever saw him fight in his prime knows that he is the one fighter who could've pulled that nickname off.

Originally Posted by Britkid

Santos Laciar: A brilliant Argentine Fly/Bantam who came to prominence when he was on the wrong end of a pretty bad hometown decision to our very own then future Flyweight world champ Charlie Magri. Laciar went on to win world titles himself at 112/115; and his series with another who could be listed, Gilberto Roman, was compelling.

Sot Chitalada wiped out Magri.

Originally Posted by Master

Originally Posted by Britkid

Santos Laciar: A brilliant Argentine Fly/Bantam who came to prominence when he was on the wrong end of a pretty bad hometown decision to our very own then future Flyweight world champ Charlie Magri. Laciar went on to win world titles himself at 112/115; and his series with another who could be listed, Gilberto Roman, was compelling.

Sot Chitalada wiped out Magri.

My old man was in awe of Sot that night and got us tickets to the Chitalada/Duke McKenzie fight...

Sadly the Thai was injured and instead we were served up a main event of Horace Notice and one Dean Waters. The only fun was on the undercard when a young gypsy fighter got (rightly) stopped in the opening round and attacked the ref! He had a fair few supporters and at one staged there looked like their might be crowd trouble too.

Horace Notice was better than Bruno.

Originally Posted by Master

Horace Notice was better than Bruno.

LOL, best line ever!

Notice was unlucky, unbeaten, had a win over a future Cruiserweight world title holder, and pound for pound may have had a chance. But a man decked and quite badly hurt by Hughroy Currie is not putting any fear into The Bomber. Notice barely scaled 14 stones.

That said I guessed they must have sparred quite a few rounds, so it would be interesting to see if there is any footage, or at least accounts of what happened.

No disrespect to Notice, but I suspect he was used for 'distance work' against Frank.

Did not realise Notice was so small. He was better than Gary Mason.

Originally Posted by Master

Did not realise Notice was so small. He was better than Gary Mason.

Everybody was better than Mason