Underrated fighters

[mikeeod]

If we are talking fighters from any era, the following come to mind for me:
1. Ezzard Charles: Think fans of later years tend to underrate him because they think solo about his time at heavyweight, and don’t realize that was towards the ends his career and not his best weight. If you look at his time at 175, he is in the discussion for greatest light heavy ever- knocked out a prime Archie Moore! People forget that he was never the same after killing a man in the ring, and that prior to that he was a dominant/ferocious fighter.
2. Fernando Vargas: People focus on the losses, especially to Tito and Oscar. Look at Fernando’s wins prior to Tito: Yori Boy Campas was a decent win, but his win vs a prime Winky Wright and dominance over Ike Quartey were very impressive. He was too brave for his own good vs Tito, and that may have ruined him.
3. Reggie Johnson: Very skilled southpaw who lost a disputed decision to a prime James Toney ( after knocking him down). Most remember him as a light heavy and losing to Roy (Roy has a ridiculous one-two that knocks Reggie down in that fight), but that wasn’t his ideal weight and the guy was VERY good at 160.

[Master]

Did you know that Archie Moore was not allowed to fight for the world title until he was 36 and when he did beat Joey Maxim (who had just beaten Sugar Ray Robinson) held the light heavyweight title for a record 10 years! Just imagine how great he would have been considered if he had the opportunity years earlier at the peak of his powers!

[Baal]

Can Xu reminds of Calzaghe a bit, especially when throwing combinations while moving backwards

[wanderingfighter]

Felix Valera.

Extremely good chin and an entertainer. Sadly he doesn’t what seems to be proper coaching that could help him be more technical, so he’ll end up being a wasted talent.

[Dark Lord Al]

James Buddy McGirt was a wonderful fighter.

[TIC]

moruti mthalane. he took out tete and casimero, back to back years ago

[Spicoli]

James Buddy McGirt was a wonderful fighter.

One super fight that got away...McGirt v Chavez. Buddy turned in a masterpiece with Simon Brown. Very low key matter of fact fighter and a top notch boxer puncher.

[Master]

James Buddy McGirt was a wonderful fighter.

One super fight that got away...McGirt v Chavez. Buddy turned in a masterpiece with Simon Brown. Very low key matter of fact fighter and a top notch boxer puncher.

That was an excellent fight and he put Simon Brown down is that masterclass of a performance. That guy was really “old school” boxer.

I have 3 hour VHS tape dedicated to McGirt’s bouts his and there is no other fighter I have done that for.

[Spicoli]

James Buddy McGirt was a wonderful fighter.

One super fight that got away...McGirt v Chavez. Buddy turned in a masterpiece with Simon Brown. Very low key matter of fact fighter and a top notch boxer puncher.

That was an excellent fight and he put Simon Brown down is that masterclass of a performance. That guy was really “old school” boxer.

I have 3 hour VHS tape dedicated to McGirt’s bouts his and there is no other fighter I have done that for.

That's pretty cool. I used to do compilations of individual fighters but found I was breaking up to many 'complete cards' I recorded. Over editing and I love having complete cards with pre interviews and bios done in lead up. And let's be honest we old geezers know VHS tapes can quickly overtake complete rooms in the home .

I saw McGirt refer to Vincent Releford as the biggest puncher he's ever faced. Do you have that one by chance? He said when Baltazar dropped him he didn't remember a thing afterwards and fought on instinct over the next 7 rounds. The Brown fight was special. McGirt had the ultimate best and worst in two classics, can't forget a young buzzsaw Meldrick Taylor literally making McGirt look two steps behind the longer the fight went. That was one of his roughest nights no doubt.

[Master]

James Buddy McGirt was a wonderful fighter.

One super fight that got away...McGirt v Chavez. Buddy turned in a masterpiece with Simon Brown. Very low key matter of fact fighter and a top notch boxer puncher.

That was an excellent fight and he put Simon Brown down is that masterclass of a performance. That guy was really “old school” boxer.

I have 3 hour VHS tape dedicated to McGirt’s bouts his and there is no other fighter I have done that for.

That's pretty cool. I used to do compilations of individual fighters but found I was breaking up to many 'complete cards' I recorded. Over editing and I love having complete cards with pre interviews and bios done in lead up. And let's be honest we old geezers know VHS tapes can quickly overtake complete rooms in the home .

I saw McGirt refer to Vincent Releford as the biggest puncher he's ever faced. Do you have that one by chance? He said when Baltazar dropped him he didn't remember a thing afterwards and fought on instinct over the next 7 rounds. The Brown fight was special. McGirt had the ultimate best and worst in two classics, can't forget a young buzzsaw Meldrick Taylor literally making McGirt look two steps behind the longer the fight went. That was one of his roughest nights no doubt.

This is where you guys from the US are lucky. I do not have McGirt’s early career and his loss to Meldrick Taylor or the knock down he suffered. We only get to know the top US fighters once they were established champions. He lost to the HOF, elite Olympic, and best fighters of the time (although he lost to an unbeaten Frankie Warren which he later avenged and drew his pro debut) it was a joy to watch Buddy box.