It seems all anyone does in this world is kick someone while there down. All anyone does is focus on the negatives of Mike Tyson's career. Which is normal because there has been alot of negativity. But what about the positive?
-Youngest Heavyweight Champion of all time
-revived Boxing when it was down
-Gave fans great highlights to salavge for years
-Reguardless of outcomes he fought the best heavyweights available. Sure journeymen to,but he fought Holmes, Spinks, Holyfield twice and Lennox Lewis. (also Razor Ruddick wasn't a bad fighter.)
-He brought alot of excitement to Boxing, I think alot of people would agree with me that Mike Tyson fights are usually very exciting to watch.
Had Mike Tyson not have screwed up so much in the last 10+ years he could have been the greatest. The Mike Tyson story is kind of like the movie Scarface as far as the moral goes. To me the theme of Scarface is when you get to much to soon some people do not know ho handle it. Mike Tyson had to much to soon just like Scarface and he lost it all in the end. Mike Tyson should be a lesson to young fighters coming up, saying when you become successful be careful of the people around and the things you do. Reguardless of what happens with the rest of his career whether your a fan or you hate him Mike Tyson's impact on the sport will forever be wrote in the pages of Boxing history. Mike Tyson's legend will eventually reside in Canastota, New York at the Boxing Hall Of Fame. The reason I wrote this thread is because I think people forget sometimes reguardless of his numerous mistakes he is a Boxing legend.


http://www.josportsinc.com/item_images/1047905640.jpg

mike tyson was great for a short time. he was a flash in the pan who was known more for his antics outside the ring than in the ring.he was beaten by all the top heavyweights in the 90's he had ever faced.short prime was close to unbeatable until being exposed by buster than holy and followed up by lennox and finally danny williams.

IMO He WAS great... :cool:

In a 20 year career Mike was great for 3 of those years. In my opnion he will go down as a wasted talent, a fighter who had it all and never fuffilled his potential and has now just become a side show.

WELL EVEN THOUGH DANNY WILLAMS KNOCKED HIM OUT ID STILL TIP HIM TO KO AUDREY HARRISON :D

I think tyson beat himself, he needed people like cus dmato to guide him. But him and cus and kevin rooney or teddy atlas, were a team that produced possibly the greatest heavywieght ever.
But like u said, it lasted only a few years.
Its interesting that more people want to fight tyson than they want to fight lewis. Tyson will always be the bigger name, just on his talent alone, without the chaos of his personal life.

I think hes was a great fighter at his best, and thats what u have to judge a figher on.

I think tyson beat himself, he needed people like cus dmato to guide him. But him and cus and kevin rooney or teddy atlas, were a team that produced possibly the greatest heavywieght ever.
But like u said, it lasted only a few years.
Its interesting that more people want to fight tyson than they want to fight lewis. Tyson will always be the bigger name, just on his talent alone, without the chaos of his personal life.

I think hes was a great fighter at his best, and thats what u have to judge a figher on.
great status needs to be earned and hes been seriously ass whupped in his career.
just the same lewis shouldnt be classed as a great.best of his generation no doubt

oh and welcome woman (lol joke)

-Overrated, but still a top 10 heavyweight all-time, barely. I have him slotted at #10.

-When discussing Tyson's greatness, his fans usually bring up that he revived the sport. Yeah, he did, but that has nothing to do with his in ring accomplishments, thus does nothing for his all-time ranking, imo.

-Exciting? No. Providing concussive knockouts that you knew he was going to produce isn't exactly exciting. He gave an aesthetically pleasing highlight reel, but his fights overall weren't on par with Gatti, Saad Muhammad, etc. Still, what does excitement have to do with greatness?

-Tyson's legend will probably live on for a very long time, but his legend won't be because of what he did inside the ring.

-Once again, hall of famer, top 10 heavyweight all-time, and a waste of talent.

great status needs to be earned and hes been seriously ass whupped in his career.
just the same lewis shouldnt be classed as a great.best of his generation no doubt

oh and welcome woman (lol joke)

True, he got his ass kicked a few too many times, but any of those fights, its so obvious what hes doing wrong, weather ut was douglas or holyfield or lewis, he would imo kod them at his best.
love that pink! lol

Tyson lost the people he needed most after signing with Don King. Tyson bought in to Kings bull****. King gave Mike an entourage, cars, money, etc. But failed to give him tools to stay at the top.

When Tyson fired Kevin Rooney his last chance at greatness slipped away

In his prime I believe Tyson was one of the greatest hw's ever.

I wish Tyson had never returned to the ring after Prison.

Tyson in his prime had guys beat before they even got into the ring. Remeber the look on M. Spinks's face? He was about ready to piss himself before he got into the ring.

If I recall correctly he didn't even want to get into the ring. Donald Trump had to go back to the dressing room and tell him to get his ass out there. lol

If I recall correctly he didn't even want to get into the ring. Donald Trump had to go back to the dressing room and tell him to get his ass out there. lol
LOL
:D
I remeber looking at spinks and saying "Oh ****, this fights over! Spinks is scared to death"

tyson is one of the saddest stories ever .. he was champ when he was a kid he was a boy and he was king of the world.. so the cough cough wasnt gone work.. just like wit child stars..and people think tyson is dumb and a rapist but there all kinda new eveidence tyson is inoccent and the man has a iq damn near 160..he been thru so much in the spotlight of the world.. but he never wanted to be in the spotlight at all.. tyson was still knockin out alot of guys after jail.. when his technique was gone.. but he is workin on technique again and yall might think im stupid but i think tyson will be champ again..he aint fat he is straight diesel he might be slow but still faster then most and his power punching is like no other brewster wouldnt stand a chance neither would ruiz.. doubt bryd would ..i guess vitali might be trouble

and the man has a iq damn near 160...


no kidding

Tyson is definetly one of the all time heavy weight greats, no doubt about that, yougest heavy weight champion, beat all the champions and unified the belts in dominating fashion and ruled the division for several years......

Mike Tyson is an all time-great, he is a legend. Even though he did waste his talent, he was the most unbeatable fighter in his prime. Anybody who doesn't think so needs to watch Tyson-Berbick or any of his fights in his prime. The night he fought Berbick no fighter in any era in their prime could beat him.

Mike Tyson in his prime was unstoppable.

The only man to beat Spinks.Holmes could not touch him.Power in both hands,and ungodly speed as a heavyweight.Read my signature,and Against Spinks that night ,he could of beat any heaveweight in history.

When Tyson fired Kevin Rooney his last chance at greatness slipped awayHere we go w/ that Rooney bullsh*t again(lol). Let me ask y'all this who was Kevin Rooney before and after Tyson? I don't hear Rooney's name being thrown around as being one the most sought after trainers of today or even back then! All of us could've been Tyson's trainer back in the good 'ole days and we would've achieved the same things when Rooney was with Iron Mike. It would've been easy to have trained Tyson back then cause nobody had to! As alot of you have stated, ******* were already ****tin' their trunks before they even stepped in the ring with Tyson. Don't get me wrong I'm a huge Tyson fan but I cannot consider him a great . To be listed with the best of all-time, and this may sound cheesy or cliche, but you have got to have mind, body, and soul and not just one or two out of the three but all of 'em working together, especially when the going gets tough, and Tyson failed everytime he had a big test in front of him(inside and outside of the ring). A perfect example of a fight(s) having all three characteristics was the Ali - Frazier series. Those two GREATS left no stone unturned.

F.Y.I Tyson never got to his prime, he was just so much more talented than everybody else but we never really saw Mighty Mike evolve as a fighter, but we definitely witnessed him de-evolve as a boxer and fellow human being!

Rooney's contribution wasn't as much in the training of Mike as it was in helping him keep his head on straight. It was after King's involvement and Rooney's firing that Mike began to devolve as a human being.

As for that sig, it's pure bull****. If George W. Bush were to find a cure for cancer tomorrow, it wouldn't erase the fact that he was too chicken**** to serve his country yet still feels justified in sending kids around the world to die for a lie.
It was under Hitler's rule that Germany invented the rocket, which led us to space, the jet engine, which made the world a smaller place, the Autobahn, the most celebrated highway system in the world, invented Methodone, which has helped thousands of addicts kick heroin. Do all these accomplishments under Hitler's direction negate the fact that he is the second most brutal mass murderer in the history of mankind?

When Tyson fired Kevin Rooney his last chance at greatness slipped away
i agree.
Rooney was Tysons last link to cusd mato, and without cus, tyson would never had been anything. He would have stayed on the streets.
After Rooney left it was all about the big punch.
Really its amazing that Tyson has been successful ever since, relying on a big punch.

Rooney's contribution wasn't as much in the training of Mike as it was in helping him keep his head on straight. It was after King's involvement and Rooney's firing that Mike began to devolve as a human being.

As for that sig, it's pure bull****. If George W. Bush were to find a cure for cancer tomorrow, it wouldn't erase the fact that he was too chicken**** to serve his country yet still feels justified in sending kids around the world to die for a lie.
It was under Hitler's rule that Germany invented the rocket, which led us to space, the jet engine, which made the world a smaller place, the Autobahn, the most celebrated highway system in the world, invented Methodone, which has helped thousands of addicts kick heroin. Do all these accomplishments under Hitler's direction negate the fact that he is the second most brutal mass murderer in the history of mankind?I see your point, but your way off course on this one. Tyson was all screwed up before and during Rooney, I really believe that even if King never got into the picture the story would've ended in a similar fashion. Rooney was nothing but a f**king babysitter

Mike Tyson in his prime was unstoppable.

BZZZZZT!!!!!

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/media/box/2002/0213/photo/a_buster_ht.jpg

IN HIS PRIME........

No "he didn't train" or "long count" excuses-- it was in his prime. The good goes with the bad. He didn't become past his prime just because he caught an asswhooping.

Mike happened to catch his beating a fight early-- it was originally scheduled for the Holyfield fight, which was to have followed the Douglas fight.

It seems all anyone does in this world is kick someone while there down. All anyone does is focus on the negatives of Mike Tyson's career. Which is normal because there has been alot of negativity. But what about the positive?
-Youngest Heavyweight Champion of all time
-revived Boxing when it was down
-Gave fans great highlights to salavge for years
-Reguardless of outcomes he fought the best heavyweights available. Sure journeymen to,but he fought Holmes, Spinks, Holyfield twice and Lennox Lewis. (also Razor Ruddick wasn't a bad fighter.)
-He brought alot of excitement to Boxing, I think alot of people would agree with me that Mike Tyson fights are usually very exciting to watch.
Had Mike Tyson not have screwed up so much in the last 10+ years he could have been the greatest. The Mike Tyson story is kind of like the movie Scarface as far as the moral goes. To me the theme of Scarface is when you get to much to soon some people do not know ho handle it. Mike Tyson had to much to soon just like Scarface and he lost it all in the end. Mike Tyson should be a lesson to young fighters coming up, saying when you become successful be careful of the people around and the things you do. Reguardless of what happens with the rest of his career whether your a fan or you hate him Mike Tyson's impact on the sport will forever be wrote in the pages of Boxing history. Mike Tyson's legend will eventually reside in Canastota, New York at the Boxing Hall Of Fame. The reason I wrote this thread is because I think people forget sometimes reguardless of his numerous mistakes he is a Boxing legend.


http://www.josportsinc.com/item_images/1047905640.jpg


Certainly I would agree to that, you have already enumerated all the reasons why he should be. You are right irregardless what happened later he was once the one on top an had his glorious days as the No 1 top heavyweight.

From Doghouseboxing.com :http://www.doghouseboxing.com/DHB/Goodrich101604.htm

Mike Tyson (born Michael Gerard Tyson on June 30, 1966) made his professional debut on March 6, 1985 when he knocked out Hector Mercedes in one round. What ensued was the most exciting and electrifying heavyweight champion since Jack Dempsey. Tyson would go on to fight every other weekend on ESPN. For fighting aficionados, we were introduced to Michael Buffer ‘manning your battle stations’, and could not help but think he should have never replaced the loquacious Chuck Hull. In time, Buffer’s resonant and ridiculous shtick changed to ‘Let’s get ready to rumble’, and the rest is history. Tyson’s first claim to fame transpired on a national broadcast of ABC’s Wide World of Sports, as Jim Lampley and Alex Wallau called his 6th round knockout of Jesse Ferguson on February 16, 1986. Tyson soon challenged Trevor Berbick for the WBC heavyweight title. On November 11, 1986, he entered the ring with a record of 27-0, with 25 KO’s.

The mercurial and ferocious Tyson tore through Berbick, utterly destroying him in two rounds. What is often overlooked is the fact that Berbick had easily beaten Muhammad Ali himself, yet no one dare insinuate that he was in fact better than Ali. Oh, the good ole days when fight fans use to recognize that a great fighter always loses to good fighters when he is past his prime, does not train properly and takes his skill for granted, thinking that will alone is enough to win every fight. Tyson then defeated James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith for the WBA heavyweight title on March 7, 1987. Tyson eventually beat Tony Tucker on August 1, 1987 for the IBF heavyweight title that Michael Spinks had vacated, after having beaten Larry Holmes, the linear champion, two years prior.

For the first time ever, one fighter held the WBA, WBC and IBF titles simultaneously. With the exception of traditional ‘lineal’ boxing purists, mainstream America agreed that Mike Tyson was the best heavyweight in the world, hence the era began of Tyson being ‘the baddest man on the planet’ (1986-1991). We all know that in short order, Tyson would usher in ‘the maddest man on the planet’ (1991-2001), and would ultimately find himself as ‘the saddest man on the planet’ (2001-present). However, for those who hate Mike Tyson - and just plain have an agenda to get their names in neon lights without reporting facts, and speaking truth - he has had signature, career defining wins over Tyrell Biggs (a former Gold medalist); Larry Holmes (a former WBC, IBF, world and lineal champion) and Tony Tubbs (a former WBA heavyweight titlist).

Yet, one thing eluded Mike Tyson. He was still not recognized as the undisputed lineal World Heavyweight Champion. When Tyson signed to fight Michael Spinks on June 27, 1988, most boxing writers picked Spinks in an upset. After Tyson beat the former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion into a near oblivion in just 91 seconds, two amazing things happened. One, Tyson was rightly considered one of the best heavyweight champions ever; and two, Spinks was not wrongly denigrated as being over hyped or overrated, but rather, just out punched and out sized. Tyson would lose his undisputed titles to James ‘Buster’ Douglas on a fateful February 11, 1990 evening in Tokyo, Japan. However, he had wins over heavyweight titlist Frank Bruno (twice), Bruce Seldon, and even former cruiserweight champion Orlin Norris that was ruled a 'no contest'.

Though Tyson’s official record stands 50-5, his two victories over Norris and Golota should reflect 52-5. That leaves us with three options. One, ignore his fifty victories; two, focus only on his five losses; or three, look at all of the accomplishments, achievements and attainments in his career, and then objectively evaluate his record. Tyson of course reclaimed the WBC and WBA heavyweight titles by beating Frank Bruno and Bruce Seldon, but still gets no credit whatsoever for doing so. This is in spite of the fact that Bruno beat Oliver McCall who beat Lennox Lewis; and Seldon beat Tony Tucker who claimed George Foreman’s vacant crown for refusing to fight his mandatory challenger. Simply put, Tyson was not responsible for having not beaten Foreman who was the technical ‘lineal champion’. He simply beat who he faced for the titles he won.

I have no problems saying Mike Tyson ceased to be a great fighter in 1991. His chaotic lifestyle, lack of training, managerial problems, promotional issues, personal demons, marital squabbles, ring defeat and bodily incarceration forever robbed him of the discipline, power, speed, balance and skill that Cus D’Amato had taught him. Yet, it is not fair to polarize ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson for losing to Evander Holyfield while the former was past his prime, and the latter obviously was not. Holyfield was a great fighter. In turn, it is no shame to lose to Lennox Lewis, when he was passing his prime in 2002. With the exception of Douglas and Williams, Tyson only lost to great fighters. Both had to beat him down for rounds of punishment that would have taken the fight out of any notable heavyweight boxer. Tyson often gave as well as he got, for as long as he could.

Yet, Mike Tyson is now judged on his losses to James Douglas and Danny Williams. Say what you will, but neither of these fighters would have lasted long with a prime 1986-1990 Mike Tyson. I doubt Lewis would have either. Simply put, you take the same Tyson who beat Spinks in 1988, and face him off against any other heavyweight champion - at their best, in their prime - and I wager he would have been the betting favorite. He would have given any heavyweight great fits, and that includes James Sullivan, Jim Corbett, Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano or Muhammad Ali. Again, bluntly put, when Tyson was in his prime, he was a great heavyweight champion.

Rather than looking at the fighter who is now a shell of his former self, I choose to remember this great fighter and bad person as a one-time great heavyweight champion who could have been one of the very best ever. Tyson was a money machine. He drew interest to the fight game. He made boxing as popular as the NFL. He owns six of the top ten all time pay-per-view sells. He was a household name in his prime. I recall ministers, teachers, policeman, fire fighters, sports fans, talk shows, politicians and the like all saying two words periodically throughout the years - Tyson fight. Be there, watch it, how long will it take before he knocks them out? Nobody, including Ali who said Tyson would have probably beaten him, believed Mike Tyson was overrated or over-hyped.

For those who doubt Mike Tyson’s one time greatness, simply ask yourselves who else lost a 42-1 prize fight? Who else opened a 25-1 favorite over Evander Holyfield? Who else is considered to have lost his titles in a greater, more shocking upset? For every one loss to a bad or mediocre fighter, Tyson has 45 such wins against the same class or caliber. For his three losses to great fighters, he likewise has equal wins in kind. I vividly recall hearing a sports celebrity recently state that Mike Tyson cannot be a great fighter because he never beat a great fighter. I suppose his signature victories over Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks are mere aberrations? Considering disqualification and injury, Tyson has only legitimately been beaten three times.

The fact is, Tyson was the first 'Alphabet Undisputed Heavyweight Champion'. He was and still is the youngest heavyweight champion in history. He won the WBA heavyweight title twice; the WBC heavyweight title twice; and the IBF heavyweight title once. He unified the heavyweight crown twice, and fought for it thrice. He made ten successful title defenses. He should no more be remembered for his losses than Muhammad Ali was for losing to Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks, Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick. The same hyperbole hypocrites who mock and scoff the name Mike Tyson only prove their ignorance. With the rare exception of Rocky Marciano, no other modern day heavyweight champion has ever retired undefeated.

An ode to past champions Tyson, Holyfield, Barrera, De La Hoya, Jones PT.2 Mike Tyson
From DoghouseBoxing.com By:Greg Goodrich
That, my friends, either means that other fighters were better than them when they lost; they did not properly train or were out of shape; or they lost because they were past their primes. Only in today’s society of ‘player hating’, ‘Monday morning quarterbacking’ and ‘revisionist history construction’, do we constantly reevaluate the worth, legitimacy and ability of our champions on a near event, year-by-year or occasion basis. I will deal with this thought in much greater detail in a subsequent article entitled The Boxing Bandwagon. Suffice it to say, not many heavyweight champions can legitimately argue that they never lost to a fighter that they faced.

We shouldn’t hold Mike Tyson to an impossible standard, one of which former great champions like Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey and Ali are not held to. This is paramount bias and pseudo-subjectivism. Our opinions alone do not equate with reality. Great fighters can still be great even when they cease to even be good fighters past their prime. Such is the tainted legacy of Mike Tyson. Overlooking his many misdeeds - and even praying for his troubled and tormented soul - may even the harshest of ardent boxing critics at least acknowledge all the good he has done for the fight game. In his prime, he was great. Even now, he still flashes glimpses of being good. Oh to God that he were not so bad!

[Note: the following heavyweight champions retired undefeated: British Bare-knuckle Heavyweight Champions of England - Tom Lyons (1-0), Jack Fearns (1-0), Ben Brain (7-0-1) and Henry Pearce (6-0). American Bare-knuckle Heavyweight Champions of America: Tom Hyer (2-0) and Joe Coburn (4-0-3). American Queensbury Heavyweight Champion of the World (Police Gazette): Rocky Marciano (49-0).
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/DHB/Goodrich101604.htm

It seems all anyone does in this world is kick someone while there down. All anyone does is focus on the negatives of Mike Tyson's career. Which is normal because there has been alot of negativity. But what about the positive?
-Youngest Heavyweight Champion of all time
-revived Boxing when it was down
-Gave fans great highlights to salavge for years
-Reguardless of outcomes he fought the best heavyweights available. Sure journeymen to,but he fought Holmes, Spinks, Holyfield twice and Lennox Lewis. (also Razor Ruddick wasn't a bad fighter.)
-He brought alot of excitement to Boxing, I think alot of people would agree with me that Mike Tyson fights are usually very exciting to watch.
Had Mike Tyson not have screwed up so much in the last 10+ years he could have been the greatest. The Mike Tyson story is kind of like the movie Scarface as far as the moral goes. To me the theme of Scarface is when you get to much to soon some people do not know ho handle it. Mike Tyson had to much to soon just like Scarface and he lost it all in the end. Mike Tyson should be a lesson to young fighters coming up, saying when you become successful be careful of the people around and the things you do. Reguardless of what happens with the rest of his career whether your a fan or you hate him Mike Tyson's impact on the sport will forever be wrote in the pages of Boxing history. Mike Tyson's legend will eventually reside in Canastota, New York at the Boxing Hall Of Fame. The reason I wrote this thread is because I think people forget sometimes reguardless of his numerous mistakes he is a Boxing legend.


http://www.josportsinc.com/item_images/1047905640.jpg Greatness is something thats earned, it doesnt last it needs constant topping up, Tyson was a great fighter never a great man. He is now a former champ and convicted sex offender if you choose to call him great thats your choice, but he isnt great in any decent humans mind........

Greatness is something thats earned, it doesnt last it needs constant topping up, Tyson was a great fighter never a great man. He is now a former champ and convicted sex offender if you choose to call him great thats your choice, but he isnt great in any decent humans mind........

semjasa not to cause trouble, but thats taking it to far. Your calling me a indecent person for saying Mike Tyson is a great fighter. :confused: How could you judge me if you don't know anything about me. Your bascially saying everyone who is a fan of a conroversial figure like Mike Tyson is a indecent human. I think that is not fair.

http://www.doghouseboxing.com/DHB/Goodrich101604.htm

In the ring, he was awesome in the 80's. But you have to admit if he had tried in the least to treat other's better he would have been treated better by others. It's plain common sense. I know he's "down" right now, and he's had a hard life, etc. BUT, you tell me one person that hasnt had tough times at some point in their lives. It's a matter of rising above it; being better than that. If he would have been half as great outside the ring as he was in it during that period of time, I might could feel sorry for him. As it is, I cant help but think "what goes around, comes around". Do you know the real reason he and Teddy Atlas split? That story in itself tells me volums. And if it comes down to 'his story against mine' I have to go with Atlas; he hasnt made a name for being a 'bad boy', etc.. and I have to think he wouldnt make something like that up. Mike seem's to alwasy blame others for his problems, if he'd stand up and take some responsibility for his action's and his life as it now is, thing's might improve. Or atleast he'd be a better person for doing so.

When Tyson came on the scene, boxing just couldn't get enough of the Ali era (who incidentally lost to trevor berbick in his last fight)but most of the fighters that came along i.e. Pinklon Thomas, Tony tucker, Berbick, Bonecrusher Smith, Heck, throw in Tyrell Biggs too were not exactly household names. In that respect Tyson really brought boxing back to the pinnacle of sports in the world spotlight. I mean here was a deprived kid from the bronx who had to fight his way all of his life and along comes Cus D'amato and just takes that raw aggression and sharpens it like a samurai sword. Hence the excitement in Tyson's fighting style which is basically to come forward and lay it on some poor schmuck who happened to fight him in the ring. Tyson's physical gifts are not an issue; his ability to just land punch after punch in quick succession with that much power behind them is unheard of since well, Rocky Marciano and Jack Dempsey. He also studied old fights a whole lot which gave him knowledge in the ring which sadly didn't translate outside of it. In his prime Mike Tyson would probably run over most of the great Heavyweights save for those whose style negates Tyson's like Ali, Joe Louis, Archie Moore, and those who just love the sight of an opponent coming forward. I definitely think Joe Frazier would get KO'd. With George Foreman It would be dependent on who lasts longer as a prime Tyson would try to box and not wade in.
A lot of Tyson's style also depended on the way he intimidated his opponents. It's as much physical as it is psychological; credit that to Jim Jacobs who sadly passed away as well leaving just Bill Caton to ward off a cancerous influence named Don King. In the end King got his way. And I guess it was a combination of King, Robin Givens' Golddigging and Tyson's very extravagant lifestyle that did him in. By the time the Buster Douglas fight came around, Tyson was just a one-punch fighter, not bothering to search for openings with his weaving style, or bore to the body before going up top. I just want to clarify that Mike Tyson doesn't have a hard time fighting taller opponents; he just plain stopped looking for cracks and relied on his power. Buster Douglas exposed the *****s, and more importantly he wasn't scared of the "baddest man on the planet". We all know what happened next on February 11, 1990 in Tokyo Japan. In the end Tyson definitely had a lot more to go but wasted a whole lot of his life. If he only had a guiding fatherly influence to rein him in then who knows if I would be writing this reply differently. For a time, Tyson was good for boxing and he rightfully deserves a place among the elite but that top step is reserved, in my opinion, for one Cassius Marcellus Clay. Half a step behind is Joe Louis. Then 2 steps down is Rocky Marciano tied with Jack Dempsey. That's all. Thanks for letting me reply!!! :D

When Tyson came on the scene, boxing just couldn't get enough of the Ali era (who incidentally lost to trevor berbick in his last fight)but most of the fighters that came along i.e. Pinklon Thomas, Tony tucker, Berbick, Bonecrusher Smith, Heck, throw in Tyrell Biggs too were not exactly household names. In that respect Tyson really brought boxing back to the pinnacle of sports in the world spotlight. I mean here was a deprived kid from the bronx who had to fight his way all of his life and along comes Cus D'amato and just takes that raw aggression and sharpens it like a samurai sword. Hence the excitement in Tyson's fighting style which is basically to come forward and lay it on some poor schmuck who happened to fight him in the ring. Tyson's physical gifts are not an issue; his ability to just land punch after punch in quick succession with that much power behind them is unheard of since well, Rocky Marciano and Jack Dempsey. He also studied old fights a whole lot which gave him knowledge in the ring which sadly didn't translate outside of it. In his prime Mike Tyson would probably run over most of the great Heavyweights save for those whose style negates Tyson's like Ali, Joe Louis, Archie Moore, and those who just love the sight of an opponent coming forward. I definitely think Joe Frazier would get KO'd. With George Foreman It would be dependent on who lasts longer as a prime Tyson would try to box and not wade in.
A lot of Tyson's style also depended on the way he intimidated his opponents. It's as much physical as it is psychological; credit that to Jim Jacobs who sadly passed away as well leaving just Bill Caton to ward off a cancerous influence named Don King. In the end King got his way. And I guess it was a combination of King, Robin Givens' Golddigging and Tyson's very extravagant lifestyle that did him in. By the time the Buster Douglas fight came around, Tyson was just a one-punch fighter, not bothering to search for openings with his weaving style, or bore to the body before going up top. I just want to clarify that Mike Tyson doesn't have a hard time fighting taller opponents; he just plain stopped looking for cracks and relied on his power. Buster Douglas exposed the *****s, and more importantly he wasn't scared of the "baddest man on the planet". We all know what happened next on February 11, 1990 in Tokyo Japan. In the end Tyson definitely had a lot more to go but wasted a whole lot of his life. If he only had a guiding fatherly influence to rein him in then who knows if I would be writing this reply differently. For a time, Tyson was good for boxing and he rightfully deserves a place among the elite but that top step is reserved, in my opinion, for one Cassius Marcellus Clay. Half a step behind is Joe Louis. Then 2 steps down is Rocky Marciano tied with Jack Dempsey. That's all. Thanks for letting me reply!!! :D

I read in a few different mag's that Tyson was not poor; that he had been raised in an upper middle class home. What gives?? :confused:

Tyson is really a great champ but definitely not a great person. The sport should really thank him as he brought it to a great heights during his best years. His impact to boxing is like the impact of MJ to basketball. But of course MJ is a much much greater person than MT.

Great post Dempsey_Roll02!

What's with the Tyson bald patch?

I read in a few different mag's that Tyson was not poor; that he had been raised in an upper middle class home. What gives?? :confused:
if they call brownsville middleclass i don't know what their perception of ghetto class is

For me Tyson and Jones Jr., pretty much fall in the same category,which is awesome athletic ability, but as soon as someone put 'em up against the wall, they were done! So how is that great? Remember it can only be called a fight if both fighters are actually throwing punches.

tyson is one of the best out therre ever... if he hadnt been in trouble most of his career he could of been the greatest... williams got lucky... he knew he was gon go down... but tyson hurt his ankle... but he didnt complain... he took the lost... and even though he aint what he use to be... he can still fill in seats....

I'd say great. I dont know about top 10 but his importance to boxing is unmatched in regards to making it more popular, contraversial, etc.

the key word is was. He was great.

Iron Mike Tyson
no matter what you say
he was a rapist,lunatic
but underneath the earbitting,
womanising *******,
there is one of the most gifted
boxers ever to live, he brougth new live
to the boxing scene,
he was great yeah, sad thing
is that if he wasnt that unstable
he could have been even greater,
who knows if he hadnt ****ed up soo many times
he might have been equal or better than "Ali"

its quite true Mike tyson was a great thing boxing. But he did not do jusctice to himself. You cant place him with names like joe louis, marciano, and Ali. If he had kept his head straight he could have shared the same floor as these three greats. His let all the hype get to his head, which a fighter or any public cant afford.

Iron Mike Tyson
no matter what you say
he was a rapist,lunatic
but underneath the earbitting,
womanising *******,
there is one of the most gifted
boxers ever to live, he brougth new live
to the boxing scene,
he was great yeah, sad thing
is that if he wasnt that unstable
he could have been even greater,
who knows if he hadnt ****ed up soo many times
he might have been equal or better than "Ali"

No matter what you say he will go down as a great fighter and a controversial sports icon. For all of you who try to down grade Tyson to a nobody, your crazy because he made such a big impact boxing its impossible for him not to be a legend.

No matter what you say he will go down as a great fighter and a controversial sports icon. For all of you who try to down grade Tyson to a nobody, your crazy because he made such a big impact boxing its impossible for him not to be a legend.


I agree....he is a fuk up now....but he already accomplished enough and made such a big impact on boxing that he is a legend.

WELL EVEN THOUGH DANNY WILLAMS KNOCKED HIM OUT ID STILL TIP HIM TO KO AUDREY HARRISON :D


Audley Harrison is a joke.

Tyson in his prime had guys beat before they even got into the ring. Remeber the look on M. Spinks's face? He was about ready to piss himself before he got into the ring.
Fact. Michael Spinks' manager went into the dressing room during the warm-up to wish Tyson the best of luck, but he only got to open the door and look inside before he left again. He then went back to Spinks' dressing room and said "don't fight that guy".
The reason was that when he opened the door, he saw Mike punching holes in the wall with the gloves on. Never had he seen a beast like that, and never before had any fighter given him goosebumps. But Tyson freaked him out...

Is Mike Tyson a boxing legend?

Is Mike Tyson overrated?

Yes on both accounts, without a doubt in my mind.

One of the most debated facts in boxing but the truth is he was a great, and i dont really think anyone would have been able to beat him in his prime especially Lewis one of those bombs on the chin and it would have been lights out, the jail stint definitely messed him up and changed the person he was. If he wants to fight on so what he is still one of the most exciting fighters to watch because you know anything can happen, what else is there left in the heavyweight division, and i do think he legitimately injured his knee otherwise he would have a fight scheduled he likes to stay active as he needs the money, i think he should schedule a rematch with Williams and see what happens if he loses again there should be no excuses and he should retire and if he wins he would be back in the mix and would prove he was injured in the first fight.

In his prime no body could beat Tyson. He lost focus and has had ups and downs but he is still an all time great. And who knows maybe he can still put some quality wins on his record before he goes out stranger things have happened in boxing.

tyson was quality posed a real talent knocking men out when he was 17 18
im english theres no boxer been like him best boxer he came up again is our own frank bruno

tyson had the chance to be the greatest fighter of all time

It seems all anyone does in this world is kick someone while there down. All anyone does is focus on the negatives of Mike Tyson's career. Which is normal because there has been alot of negativity. But what about the positive?
-Youngest Heavyweight Champion of all time
-revived Boxing when it was down
-Gave fans great highlights to salavge for years
-Reguardless of outcomes he fought the best heavyweights available. Sure journeymen to,but he fought Holmes, Spinks, Holyfield twice and Lennox Lewis. (also Razor Ruddick wasn't a bad fighter.)
-He brought alot of excitement to Boxing, I think alot of people would agree with me that Mike Tyson fights are usually very exciting to watch.
Had Mike Tyson not have screwed up so much in the last 10+ years he could have been the greatest. The Mike Tyson story is kind of like the movie Scarface as far as the moral goes. To me the theme of Scarface is when you get to much to soon some people do not know ho handle it. Mike Tyson had to much to soon just like Scarface and he lost it all in the end. Mike Tyson should be a lesson to young fighters coming up, saying when you become successful be careful of the people around and the things you do. Reguardless of what happens with the rest of his career whether your a fan or you hate him Mike Tyson's impact on the sport will forever be wrote in the pages of Boxing history. Mike Tyson's legend will eventually reside in Canastota, New York at the Boxing Hall Of Fame. The reason I wrote this thread is because I think people forget sometimes reguardless of his numerous mistakes he is a Boxing legend.


http://www.josportsinc.com/item_images/1047905640.jpg
i decide whos great.....so stfu

i decide whos great.....so stfu

What did I do to you? I would love to know what I did to you? And why would you or anyone bring this old thread back? I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST YOU!!!I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU!! :confused:

In a 20 year career Mike was great for 3 of those years. In my opnion he will go down as a wasted talent, a fighter who had it all and never fuffilled his potential and has now just become a side show.

laugh

I guess you didn't feel important enough with just 'jose' as your name..so you had to change it to Sir_Jose? funny stuff, lol.

I agree whole-heartedly about Tyson though

im sure douglas does as well

The only man to beat Spinks.Holmes could not touch him.Power in both hands,and ungodly speed as a heavyweight.Read my signature,and Against Spinks that night ,he could of beat any heaveweight in history.

Power in both hands... ungodly speed as a heavyweight... both those statements are true.

There is a certain cliche that is said about boxing and other sports. Many people say it, and very few people seem to actually understand it. Boxing is 50% mental. It is a thinking man's sport.

People assume that Tyson in his prime was unbeatable because of his amazing speed and power. People are so sure that this was true, they come up with ridiculous excuses about Rooney being gone when they try to explain what happened against Buster Douglas. The truth is you really don't have to reach all that far to figure out why what happened happened against Douglas. Boxing is 50% mental. When he was in a tough fight, he didn't know how to react to it, how to change his game plan, how to pull out a win once a fight was not going as planned. It is really the same in all of his losses.

Even in his most recent loss to Kevin McBride, his speed and power were great. Look at the punches he was throwing, people say he lost because of diminished speed and reflexes, if you watch the tape you'll see that they were extremely hard fast punches. By the sixth McBride was still there and giving him trouble. All of a sudden he is only throwing one punch at a time, he is trying to break his arm and bite his nipple and then ultimately he sits down on the canvas and quits.

It is very simple why he wasn't unbeatable in his prime despite his unbelievable speed and power, once again, boxing is 50% mental. He had the physical side to it, he never had the mental side to it. His speed and power were only half of the equation necessary to be a great fighter. And digging down deep to pull out a win against Douglas was not something that Kevin Rooney could have done for him, regardless of what a lot of people think, he could only do that for himself.

Tyson lost every fight that he ever had when his physical abilities weren't quite enough. Douglas was simply the first man to hang in long enough to make him try to reach past his physical abilities, and when that happened, the mental skills and toughness necessary to win a tough fight weren't there.

Tyson is an alltime great fighter, he had the greatest physical abilities in the history of boxing, he was one of the most exciting and intriguing of alltime, but he was never unbeatable, at any point in his career for the very simple reason that I will repeat for the millionth time: boxing is 50% mental.

One more thing. I know there is going to be a lot of people arguing that he was unbeatable until he fired Kevin Rooney, there always are. To those people, I challenge you to answer this question: Why has this man with an IQ of 160 never decided to rehire Rooney at any point in his career, even long after his King associations were severed.

If Rooney was what truly held everything together, why has he never gone back to him? At any time all it would have taken was one phone call, because Rooney sure as hell wasn't too busy handling all of the other big name fighters he supposedly developed

It seems all anyone does in this world is kick someone while there down. All anyone does is focus on the negatives of Mike Tyson's career. Which is normal because there has been alot of negativity. But what about the positive?
-Youngest Heavyweight Champion of all time
-revived Boxing when it was down
-Gave fans great highlights to salavge for years
-Reguardless of outcomes he fought the best heavyweights available. Sure journeymen to,but he fought Holmes, Spinks, Holyfield twice and Lennox Lewis. (also Razor Ruddick wasn't a bad fighter.)
-He brought alot of excitement to Boxing, I think alot of people would agree with me that Mike Tyson fights are usually very exciting to watch.
Had Mike Tyson not have screwed up so much in the last 10+ years he could have been the greatest. The Mike Tyson story is kind of like the movie Scarface as far as the moral goes. To me the theme of Scarface is when you get to much to soon some people do not know ho handle it. Mike Tyson had to much to soon just like Scarface and he lost it all in the end. Mike Tyson should be a lesson to young fighters coming up, saying when you become successful be careful of the people around and the things you do. Reguardless of what happens with the rest of his career whether your a fan or you hate him Mike Tyson's impact on the sport will forever be wrote in the pages of Boxing history. Mike Tyson's legend will eventually reside in Canastota, New York at the Boxing Hall Of Fame. The reason I wrote this thread is because I think people forget sometimes reguardless of his numerous mistakes he is a Boxing legend.


http://www.josportsinc.com/item_images/1047905640.jpg
the title should read
Mike Tyson was great

the title should read
Mike Tyson was great

I like mine better...LOL :D

One more thing. I know there is going to be a lot of people arguing that he was unbeatable until he fired Kevin Rooney, there always are. To those people, I challenge you to answer this question: Why has this man with an IQ of 160 never decided to rehire Rooney at any point in his career, even long after his King associations were severed.

If Rooney was what truly held everything together, why has he never gone back to him? At any time all it would have taken was one phone call, because Rooney sure as hell wasn't too busy handling all of the other big name fighters he supposedly developed
After Mike fired Kevin, Kevin took Mike to court and sued him for money, and they got in a big arguement and haven't talked since. I'm not saying Mike would have won with Kevin setting in his corner. However, if Kevin was setting in his training sessions and training him the right way, like head movement, and throwing combo's then Mike would have won the Douglas fight. Look at some older Tyson fights, (biggs, holmes, spinks, berbick) then watch the Douglas fight. That was a totally different person out there from round one. There's no doubt that someone would have eventually took him into deep water and beat up on him, but Buster Douglas would not have been that person. Tyson trained by Rooney would have knocked out Douglas in round one

Mike Tyson gets too much press. He has sucked for a long time now.

I'm tired of looking at him and hearing about him.

My suggestion to him is that he move in with Michael Jackson and disappear.

Mike Tyson gets too much press. He has sucked for a long time now.

I'm tired of looking at him and hearing about him.

My suggestion to him is that he move in with Michael Jackson and disappear.
Mike Tyson is the reason boxing is were it is right now good or bad

Great talent NOT a great fighter.

1. He burned out way to fast. He as already past his prime at 23

2. Fought in an extremaly weak era.

3. Caved every single time someone stood up to him.

Michael Gerard Tyson...best Heavyweight of all barnone..

Tyson Is The Greatest Heavyweight Fighter Of 3 Decades. 2000's No One Is A Bigger Draw Or Entertaining.


"**** Holyfield"

Mike Tyson did make boxing what it is today. A side show for freaks with no skills. Boxing sucks today, and you know what, it sucked when Tyson was champ.

Evander Holyfield was the only real bright spot on the heavyweight division since Ali retired. Tyson was a blight on boxing and was bad for the sport.

Mike Tyson KO'd by Evander Holyfield

Mike Tyson KO'd by Lennox Lewis

Mike Tyson KO'd by Buster Douglas

Mike Tyson KO'd by Kevin McBride

Mike Tyson KO'd by Danny Williams

He beat a bunch of nobodys. Francois Botha, A whole string of club fighters in the 80's, and when he finally faced a fighter with skills, his ass was grass. He had his ass kicked when he was in his so-called prime. He was good for two years, but against thugs.

Take his monkey ass to the circus where he belongs. He hasn't even resembled a fighter for 16 years.

He can sell tickets, but he can't fight and never could.

Here we go w/ that Rooney bullsh*t again(lol). Let me ask y'all this who was Kevin Rooney before and after Tyson? I don't hear Rooney's name being thrown around as being one the most sought after trainers of today or even back then! All of us could've been Tyson's trainer back in the good 'ole days and we would've achieved the same things when Rooney was with Iron Mike. It would've been easy to have trained Tyson back then cause nobody had to! As alot of you have stated, ******* were already ****tin' their trunks before they even stepped in the ring with Tyson. Don't get me wrong I'm a huge Tyson fan but I cannot consider him a great . To be listed with the best of all-time, and this may sound cheesy or cliche, but you have got to have mind, body, and soul and not just one or two out of the three but all of 'em working together, especially when the going gets tough, and Tyson failed everytime he had a big test in front of him(inside and outside of the ring). A perfect example of a fight(s) having all three characteristics was the Ali - Frazier series. Those two GREATS left no stone unturned.


and not ne one could have trained tyson back then. that style that rooney haf was invented by cus so no one would have been able to train him to fight like he was in his prime.rooney called out number combos to tyson,they had different methods and strategies so i dont really think n e one could have. u saw what happened to his skills once he left rooney

besides if you compare his accolades with any other great fighter he rivals only Ali.

Boxing without Tyson = Martha Stewart
Boxing with Tyson = JLO,

It seems all anyone does in this world is kick someone while there down. All anyone does is focus on the negatives of Mike Tyson's career. Which is normal because there has been alot of negativity. But what about the positive?
-Youngest Heavyweight Champion of all time
-revived Boxing when it was down
-Gave fans great highlights to salavge for years
-Reguardless of outcomes he fought the best heavyweights available. Sure journeymen to,but he fought Holmes, Spinks, Holyfield twice and Lennox Lewis. (also Razor Ruddick wasn't a bad fighter.)
-He brought alot of excitement to Boxing, I think alot of people would agree with me that Mike Tyson fights are usually very exciting to watch.
Had Mike Tyson not have screwed up so much in the last 10+ years he could have been the greatest. The Mike Tyson story is kind of like the movie Scarface as far as the moral goes. To me the theme of Scarface is when you get to much to soon some people do not know ho handle it. Mike Tyson had to much to soon just like Scarface and he lost it all in the end. Mike Tyson should be a lesson to young fighters coming up, saying when you become successful be careful of the people around and the things you do. Reguardless of what happens with the rest of his career whether your a fan or you hate him Mike Tyson's impact on the sport will forever be wrote in the pages of Boxing history. Mike Tyson's legend will eventually reside in Canastota, New York at the Boxing Hall Of Fame. The reason I wrote this thread is because I think people forget sometimes reguardless of his numerous mistakes he is a Boxing legend.


http://www.josportsinc.com/item_images/1047905640.jpg
How to be great by Mike Tyson:

1. Lose every war you are in

2. Never lose a fight on your feet

3. Get KO'd by 2 very good fighters Lewis/Holyfield, 1 fighter's whose 1 and only great moment came by knocking you out, a bum named Williams and a guy who will never have a claim to fame because by the time he KO'd you, you were considered a bum

4.Disgrace the sport by resorting to crimminal behavior in the ring-
butting,biting, attempting to break limbs

5. Beating/assaulting women-Your wife, old ladies, the one who was lying

6. Never KOing a fighter who wasn't afraid-Green, Smith, Tillis, Tucker (Hall of Famers everyone)

Yeah, no doubt about it-Greatness overlooked!

Mike is the best besides Ali.

6. Never KOing a fighter who wasn't afraid-Green, Smith, Tillis, Tucker (Hall of Famers everyone)
Running away all night sure doesn't mean "not afraid" right?

Running away all night sure doesn't mean "not afraid" right?
No genius, you are right! The Iron one gave us the example twice-sitting on his ass lookin accross the ring, oh! and asking the ref for a hand. Running away, it doesn't "not afraid to fight"? Yeah, your "butt puppet" pal gave us the best examples.

No genius, you are right! The Iron one gave us the example twice-sitting on his ass lookin accross the ring, oh! and asking the ref for a hand. Running away, it doesn't "not afraid to fight"? Yeah, your "butt puppet" pal gave us the best examples.


that is true most of the fighters that mike went the distance with usually ran.and tried to tie him up constantly. how many boxers do that constantly nowadays. cause they know the power of the other person so the best thing to do is tie up which makes it extremly more difficult if there running and tieing up to knock there ass out. :D

How Did Thread Comeback? I Made This When I Was Still Mayweatherfan!!!lol!!!

It seems all anyone does in this world is kick someone while there down. All anyone does is focus on the negatives of Mike Tyson's career. Which is normal because there has been alot of negativity. But what about the positive?
-Youngest Heavyweight Champion of all time
-revived Boxing when it was down
-Gave fans great highlights to salavge for years
-Reguardless of outcomes he fought the best heavyweights available. Sure journeymen to,but he fought Holmes, Spinks, Holyfield twice and Lennox Lewis. (also Razor Ruddick wasn't a bad fighter.)
-He brought alot of excitement to Boxing, I think alot of people would agree with me that Mike Tyson fights are usually very exciting to watch.
Had Mike Tyson not have screwed up so much in the last 10+ years he could have been the greatest. The Mike Tyson story is kind of like the movie Scarface as far as the moral goes. To me the theme of Scarface is when you get to much to soon some people do not know ho handle it. Mike Tyson had to much to soon just like Scarface and he lost it all in the end. Mike Tyson should be a lesson to young fighters coming up, saying when you become successful be careful of the people around and the things you do. Reguardless of what happens with the rest of his career whether your a fan or you hate him Mike Tyson's impact on the sport will forever be wrote in the pages of Boxing history. Mike Tyson's legend will eventually reside in Canastota, New York at the Boxing Hall Of Fame. The reason I wrote this thread is because I think people forget sometimes reguardless of his numerous mistakes he is a Boxing legend.


http://www.josportsinc.com/item_images/1047905640.jpg

nice post .......

nice post .......

LOL, thanks UntouchableM2. But its funny I made this thread last year at this time. Its weird how old threads sometimes resurface. :D

From Doghouseboxing.com :http://www.doghouseboxing.com/DHB/Goodrich101604.htm

Mike Tyson (born Michael Gerard Tyson on June 30, 1966) made his professional debut on March 6, 1985 when he knocked out Hector Mercedes in one round. What ensued was the most exciting and electrifying heavyweight champion since Jack Dempsey. Tyson would go on to fight every other weekend on ESPN. For fighting aficionados, we were introduced to Michael Buffer ‘manning your battle stations’, and could not help but think he should have never replaced the loquacious Chuck Hull. In time, Buffer’s resonant and ridiculous shtick changed to ‘Let’s get ready to rumble’, and the rest is history. Tyson’s first claim to fame transpired on a national broadcast of ABC’s Wide World of Sports, as Jim Lampley and Alex Wallau called his 6th round knockout of Jesse Ferguson on February 16, 1986. Tyson soon challenged Trevor Berbick for the WBC heavyweight title. On November 11, 1986, he entered the ring with a record of 27-0, with 25 KO’s.

The mercurial and ferocious Tyson tore through Berbick, utterly destroying him in two rounds. What is often overlooked is the fact that Berbick had easily beaten Muhammad Ali himself, yet no one dare insinuate that he was in fact better than Ali. Oh, the good ole days when fight fans use to recognize that a great fighter always loses to good fighters when he is past his prime, does not train properly and takes his skill for granted, thinking that will alone is enough to win every fight. Tyson then defeated James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith for the WBA heavyweight title on March 7, 1987. Tyson eventually beat Tony Tucker on August 1, 1987 for the IBF heavyweight title that Michael Spinks had vacated, after having beaten Larry Holmes, the linear champion, two years prior.

For the first time ever, one fighter held the WBA, WBC and IBF titles simultaneously. With the exception of traditional ‘lineal’ boxing purists, mainstream America agreed that Mike Tyson was the best heavyweight in the world, hence the era began of Tyson being ‘the baddest man on the planet’ (1986-1991). We all know that in short order, Tyson would usher in ‘the maddest man on the planet’ (1991-2001), and would ultimately find himself as ‘the saddest man on the planet’ (2001-present). However, for those who hate Mike Tyson - and just plain have an agenda to get their names in neon lights without reporting facts, and speaking truth - he has had signature, career defining wins over Tyrell Biggs (a former Gold medalist); Larry Holmes (a former WBC, IBF, world and lineal champion) and Tony Tubbs (a former WBA heavyweight titlist).

Yet, one thing eluded Mike Tyson. He was still not recognized as the undisputed lineal World Heavyweight Champion. When Tyson signed to fight Michael Spinks on June 27, 1988, most boxing writers picked Spinks in an upset. After Tyson beat the former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion into a near oblivion in just 91 seconds, two amazing things happened. One, Tyson was rightly considered one of the best heavyweight champions ever; and two, Spinks was not wrongly denigrated as being over hyped or overrated, but rather, just out punched and out sized. Tyson would lose his undisputed titles to James ‘Buster’ Douglas on a fateful February 11, 1990 evening in Tokyo, Japan. However, he had wins over heavyweight titlist Frank Bruno (twice), Bruce Seldon, and even former cruiserweight champion Orlin Norris that was ruled a 'no contest'.

Though Tyson’s official record stands 50-5, his two victories over Norris and Golota should reflect 52-5. That leaves us with three options. One, ignore his fifty victories; two, focus only on his five losses; or three, look at all of the accomplishments, achievements and attainments in his career, and then objectively evaluate his record. Tyson of course reclaimed the WBC and WBA heavyweight titles by beating Frank Bruno and Bruce Seldon, but still gets no credit whatsoever for doing so. This is in spite of the fact that Bruno beat Oliver McCall who beat Lennox Lewis; and Seldon beat Tony Tucker who claimed George Foreman’s vacant crown for refusing to fight his mandatory challenger. Simply put, Tyson was not responsible for having not beaten Foreman who was the technical ‘lineal champion’. He simply beat who he faced for the titles he won.

I have no problems saying Mike Tyson ceased to be a great fighter in 1991. His chaotic lifestyle, lack of training, managerial problems, promotional issues, personal demons, marital squabbles, ring defeat and bodily incarceration forever robbed him of the discipline, power, speed, balance and skill that Cus D’Amato had taught him. Yet, it is not fair to polarize ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson for losing to Evander Holyfield while the former was past his prime, and the latter obviously was not. Holyfield was a great fighter. In turn, it is no shame to lose to Lennox Lewis, when he was passing his prime in 2002. With the exception of Douglas and Williams, Tyson only lost to great fighters. Both had to beat him down for rounds of punishment that would have taken the fight out of any notable heavyweight boxer. Tyson often gave as well as he got, for as long as he could.

Yet, Mike Tyson is now judged on his losses to James Douglas and Danny Williams. Say what you will, but neither of these fighters would have lasted long with a prime 1986-1990 Mike Tyson. I doubt Lewis would have either. Simply put, you take the same Tyson who beat Spinks in 1988, and face him off against any other heavyweight champion - at their best, in their prime - and I wager he would have been the betting favorite. He would have given any heavyweight great fits, and that includes James Sullivan, Jim Corbett, Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano or Muhammad Ali. Again, bluntly put, when Tyson was in his prime, he was a great heavyweight champion.

Rather than looking at the fighter who is now a shell of his former self, I choose to remember this great fighter and bad person as a one-time great heavyweight champion who could have been one of the very best ever. Tyson was a money machine. He drew interest to the fight game. He made boxing as popular as the NFL. He owns six of the top ten all time pay-per-view sells. He was a household name in his prime. I recall ministers, teachers, policeman, fire fighters, sports fans, talk shows, politicians and the like all saying two words periodically throughout the years - Tyson fight. Be there, watch it, how long will it take before he knocks them out? Nobody, including Ali who said Tyson would have probably beaten him, believed Mike Tyson was overrated or over-hyped.

For those who doubt Mike Tyson’s one time greatness, simply ask yourselves who else lost a 42-1 prize fight? Who else opened a 25-1 favorite over Evander Holyfield? Who else is considered to have lost his titles in a greater, more shocking upset? For every one loss to a bad or mediocre fighter, Tyson has 45 such wins against the same class or caliber. For his three losses to great fighters, he likewise has equal wins in kind. I vividly recall hearing a sports celebrity recently state that Mike Tyson cannot be a great fighter because he never beat a great fighter. I suppose his signature victories over Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks are mere aberrations? Considering disqualification and injury, Tyson has only legitimately been beaten three times.

The fact is, Tyson was the first 'Alphabet Undisputed Heavyweight Champion'. He was and still is the youngest heavyweight champion in history. He won the WBA heavyweight title twice; the WBC heavyweight title twice; and the IBF heavyweight title once. He unified the heavyweight crown twice, and fought for it thrice. He made ten successful title defenses. He should no more be remembered for his losses than Muhammad Ali was for losing to Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks, Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick. The same hyperbole hypocrites who mock and scoff the name Mike Tyson only prove their ignorance. With the rare exception of Rocky Marciano, no other modern day heavyweight champion has ever retired undefeated.


That was well put. Mike Tyson is great...whether you like or not.

Tyson great? Well had he not been such a screw up we might have known. Had he fought Holyfield and beat him, had the balls to fight Foreman and win,then beat Bowe we might say yes.
All three of these guys could have beat all the ones Tyson beat in his prime. So to grant Tyson greatness is subjective at best.

I think people will always look at Tyson and wonder what could have been rather than what was. He was great for 2-3 years. I will always think of him as a huge waste of time.

agreed...tyson was a beast

It seems all anyone does in this world is kick someone while there down. All anyone does is focus on the negatives of Mike Tyson's career. Which is normal because there has been alot of negativity. But what about the positive?
-Youngest Heavyweight Champion of all time
-revived Boxing when it was down
-Gave fans great highlights to salavge for years
-Reguardless of outcomes he fought the best heavyweights available. Sure journeymen to,but he fought Holmes, Spinks, Holyfield twice and Lennox Lewis. (also Razor Ruddick wasn't a bad fighter.)
-He brought alot of excitement to Boxing, I think alot of people would agree with me that Mike Tyson fights are usually very exciting to watch.
Had Mike Tyson not have screwed up so much in the last 10+ years he could have been the greatest. The Mike Tyson story is kind of like the movie Scarface as far as the moral goes. To me the theme of Scarface is when you get to much to soon some people do not know ho handle it. Mike Tyson had to much to soon just like Scarface and he lost it all in the end. Mike Tyson should be a lesson to young fighters coming up, saying when you become successful be careful of the people around and the things you do. Reguardless of what happens with the rest of his career whether your a fan or you hate him Mike Tyson's impact on the sport will forever be wrote in the pages of Boxing history. Mike Tyson's legend will eventually reside in Canastota, New York at the Boxing Hall Of Fame. The reason I wrote this thread is because I think people forget sometimes reguardless of his numerous mistakes he is a Boxing legend.


http://www.josportsinc.com/item_images/1047905640.jpg


alright all ready.
and it goes on and on.
another rehashed tyson thread.
yes he's great! came up during a weaker hvwt division.
still play lennox/tyson at lunchbreaks.
could have been greater if he had his head screwed on strait.

Greatness for a short period of time> Goodness over the long haul

Tyson was great BECAUSE HE FOUGHT THE BEST OF HIS ERA.

Apply that to Gayweather and I still wonder how his illogical fans can appreciate a coward and a duck.

thats rite he is. p4p top ten. in his prime he was ill. even now if he came back and tried he could do it

thats rite he is. p4p top ten. in his prime he was ill. even now if he came back and tried he could do it
Ha?

Do you even know what your saying dude?

Tyson was great in his time coz he fought the best.

Now he's old and his time is up.

Dude stop pretending like you know something ok.

Let's apply the same standard to Fake Floyd and it's obvious he's a duck.

Tyson was great BECAUSE HE FOUGHT THE BEST OF HIS ERA.

Apply that to Gayweather and I still wonder how his illogical fans can appreciate a coward and a duck.

Wow can you go a post without mentioning your idol for once:lol1:

Wow can you go a post without mentioning your idol for once:lol1:
One-liners again eh?

Of course you can't reply in a logical manner.

It's not suited for you.

One-liners again eh?

Of course you can't reply in a logical manner.

It's not suited for you.

Logical manner? :lol1: :lol1: this coming from someone who keeps posting the same crap over and over:rofl: Wow really your obsession for floyd is beyond believe.

Logical manner? :lol1: :lol1: this coming from someone who keeps posting the same crap over and over:rofl: Wow really your obsession for floyd is beyond believe.
Since all you have are one-liners, we can leave it at that.

You have your one-liners.

I got my facts.

So let's leave it at that.

Tyson was very good for a brief period but I don't think he ever reached his full potential, I don't really consider him great.

Since all you have are one-liners, we can leave it at that.

You have your one-liners.

I got my facts.

So let's leave it at that.

hahaha nice poem you got there, it rhymes and everything good job, But since all you do is copy and paste then I'm guessing thats all you have to say lol