I would say that Matarazzo was elite. Anyone that turned pro in the 90’s would have to be considered elite.
Look at the names in the heavyweight division that Mike had to defeat in order to turn pro:
HeavyWeight
1 Mike Matarazzo
2 Ken Wheeler *
3 Dean Caputo
4 Chris Cormier *
5 Kyle Norris
6 Harry Johnson
7 Bill Burney
8 Davis McGinty
9 Philip Hernon *
10 Raoul Fulcher
11 Bob Cicherillo *
12 Joe Carrero
13 Vincent Allen
14 Ronnie Coleman *
15 Gerard Dente
Agreed.
Mike was great but to Earls point he was never a top 6 guy. He had all time great body parts but where does he fit in this group: Yates, Coleman, Wheeler, Ray, Nassar, Dillet, Cormier, Levrone, Ruhl, Cutler, Dex.
Hes not out of place in that group but as a pro his best didnt always measure up. Idk what he was missing.