Top 10 Most Underrated Boxers in Boxing History

Boxing has seen some absolute legends over the years—Ali, Tyson, Mayweather. But for every superstar, there are fighters who, despite their skill, heart, and achievements, never got the recognition they truly deserved. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on the top 10 most underrated boxers in boxing history—fighters who should be household names but, for some reason, aren’t.

1. Ezzard Charles

Often called the greatest light heavyweight to never win a title in that division, Ezzard Charles actually became the heavyweight champion of the world after beating Joe Louis in 1950. He was technically brilliant, had incredible defence, and fought some of the best of his era. Despite that, he’s rarely mentioned in the same breath as other all-time greats. Read more about Charles here.

2. Larry Holmes

Imagine being so good that people ignore your dominance because they’re still thinking about the previous champion. That’s exactly what happened to Larry Holmes, who ruled the heavyweight division for years but was constantly compared to Muhammad Ali. Holmes had an incredible jab, insane durability, and defended his title 20 times, but he never quite got the love he deserved. Check out his legacy here.

3. Nicolino Locche

A defensive genius, Nicolino Locche is one of the slickest fighters ever. Known as “The Untouchable,” he barely got hit and frustrated opponents with his head movement and reflexes. Despite being a world champion and one of the best defensive fighters in boxing history, he remains criminally underrated. Find out more about Locche’s insane skills.

4. Juan Manuel Marquez

Yes, he knocked out Pacquiao in one of the most iconic moments in boxing history, but Marquez’s overall career doesn’t get enough respect. He was a master counterpuncher, fought the best of his era, and became a multi-division world champion. Yet, he often gets overshadowed by his more famous rivals. Read about Marquez’s legacy.

5. Michael Spinks

Most people remember Spinks for getting knocked out by Mike Tyson in 91 seconds. But before that, he was a dominant light heavyweight champion who moved up to heavyweight and beat Larry Holmes! His awkward style and technical brilliance made him a nightmare in the ring, yet he’s rarely talked about among the all-time greats. More on Spinks here.

6. Fighting Harada

Fighting Harada (yes, that’s his actual name) was a two-weight world champion and the only man to beat Eder Jofre, one of the greatest bantamweights ever. His relentless pressure and non-stop punching made him a nightmare for opponents, but he’s often overlooked outside of Japan. Learn about Harada’s legendary fights.

7. James Toney

If you love defensive mastery, James Toney should be on your radar. He had slick head movement, iron-clad defence, and was a three-weight world champion. But because of his trash-talking and later career struggles, he never got the full respect he deserved. Check out Toney’s best moments.

8. Aaron Pryor

Aaron Pryor was an absolute beast at junior welterweight, known for his relentless aggression and insane stamina. He destroyed Alexis Arguello in one of the greatest fights of all time, yet he never became a mainstream star. His career was cut short due to personal struggles, but his talent was undeniable. Watch Pryor’s legendary fights.

9. Mike McCallum

The “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum was one of the best body punchers ever, yet he was often avoided by big names of his era. He beat some great fighters but never got the massive paydays or recognition he deserved. Read about McCallum’s legacy.

10. Winky Wright

Winky Wright was a defensive wizard who beat names like Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad. He had a tight guard and a frustrating style that made him hard to beat. Despite that, he was never fully appreciated and had to fight for respect his entire career. Discover more about Wright’s career.

Who Do You Think is the Most Underrated Boxer?

That’s our list of the top 10 most underrated boxers in boxing history, but now it’s your turn! Who do you think deserved more respect in their career? Drop a comment below, share this article with your boxing mates, and head over to CMBoxing for more boxing news, rankings, and exclusive content!