Mike Tyson's excellent resume.

[GeneralZod]

I often read how todays young boxing fans claim Mike Tyson fought a load of stiffs and his resume is nothing special. Let's take a look at Tyson's incredible resume.

Trevor Berbick - Reigning Champion, who had went 15rds with Prime Larry Holmes and beat former champions, Muhammad Ali, Greg Page, John Tate and Pinklon Thomas.

At that point beating Ali was like assaulting your drunk uncle at the family BBQ. its big to you and your relatives, but that's about it.

[Sugarj]

It is sad that with the exception of Holmes and Tyson, the 80s does get criticised as being the era of drug rehab contenders and champions.

Tyson's opponents, prior to his incarceration are largely seen as insignificant in a historical context because of how easily he dealt with them and also that few went on to achieve anything of note afterwards.

But on paper; just about every matchup he had between winning the title from Berbick and the second Ruddock fight made sense and had a good selling point:

Bonecrusher Smith was not seen as some tomato can at the time. A one round win over Tim Witherspoon did not go unnoticed.

Pinklon Thomas: A great boxing talent, who never really realised his potential due to substance issues. But he had only one loss going into the Tyson fight and he was known as probably being the most talented heavyweight boxer since Holmes.

Tony Tucker had a stellar amateur career, was undefeated and clearly in great shape for the Tyson fight. This fight would have been built up to an incredible spectacle these days. At his best Tucker would probably have given many an atg heavyweight a good fight.......and if he hadn't met Tyson he may have gone undefeated until the emergence of Holyfield, Bowe or Lewis!

Biggs was another undefeated pro and former amateur star (with a gold medal no less!). Another fight which could have enjoyed a monster build up! Imagine Anthony Joshua challenging Wlad a couple of years from now.......

Holmes; it is fair to say that the casual fan didn't know how rushed Holmes's comeback was, or how little time he had to prepare! But on paper his record spoke for itself, he had never been stopped and the Spinks fights were very close!

Tubbs: Probably his least credible defence due to Tubb's known weight problems, motivation and substance issues. But he had only been beaten once in a close fight with Tim Witherspoon and had fast hands and a decent skill set.

Spinks: This for once did get the build up it deserved, both were undefeated and Spinks definitely had proved his usefulness as a decent heavyweight in both fights with Holmes and Cooney too. Quite a few gave Spinks a good chance too, that is largely forgotten now! It was felt at the time that Spink's distance stamina might make things very interesting if he got Tyson outside the early rounds. The manner of defeat almost makes it embarrassing to suggest that Spinks was a good heavyweight at all......but there are decent heavyweights in history that Spinks would have given a very good fight.

Bruno doesn't really get too much appreciation. But up to this point his only losses had come to Bonecrusher and Witherspoon......in fights that he was leading on points prior to the stoppages! He had also dealt with quick Tillis in a much more convincing way than Tyson. He hurt Tyson too! That Bruno was able to box on even terms for 6 rounds against Lennox Lewis and decision McCall for the WBC title years later indicates that he wasn't a joke. He always turned up in superb condition.....

Williams was another to suffer a severe loss of reputation after losing to Tyson in one round. He was probably the least deserving contender since Tubbs, but he did have some decent boxing skills and athleticism. As Sonnyboyx indicated, he did well in the Holmes fight......I'd argue nearly as well as Spinks! Shame about his punch resistance!

Buster Douglas, yeah yeah. 44:1 under dog, not a very credible challenge on paper. he had shown ability against Tucker and some great form against McCall. But even then it was a surprise loss. Lets be honest though; even allowing for Tyson's poor form that evening it is rare to see a guy with Buster's dimensions moving and punching in combination so well. It wasn't just a great win, it was a brilliant performance. If he could have kept that form he could have done very well. Shame!

Tilman: By any standards this man had a great amateur career and two wins in the amateur ranks against Tyson. This was a good selling point, nobody knew how Tyson would have been affected by the KO loss to Douglas....not to mention the big beating he suffered in the nine rounds beforehand.

Stewart: Ok, no legend of the sport.....but he was absolutely destroyed by Tyson! He had a good record with only one loss going into the fight (Holyfield KO in 8), but he went on to have competitive distance fights with Holyfield and Foreman. Far from being a tomato can!

Ruddock: Another decent amateur with only one loss as a pro. He showed some real toughness and a terrific left in both fights with Tyson. He tends to be dismissed now because of his quick loss to Lennox Lewis shortly after.


It is fair to say that most of the above champions and contenders will not go down in history as legends of the sport. But most were very much considered credible opponents at the time.

It makes you wonder how Tyson would have done against the contenders of the 70s (probably the best decade talent wise!). Many would probably not pick him in matchups with Ali, Foreman or even prime Holmes. But I'd bet he'd be favourite with the bookies to beat Frazier, Quarry, Bonavena, Shavers, Ellis, Lyle, Norton or Young. Tyson may well have embarrassed one or two with early KO defeats too!

But the 70s contenders will forever be immortalised, and rightly so. However, it is fair to say that I think that more than a few Tyson challengers on their day would do well in matchups with some of the 70s contenders that I have listed. Their legacies may well have been ruined by the sheer decadence of the cocaine 80s as well as the brilliance of Holmes and Tyson, who clearly were a level above.

[billeau2]

Hy sonny boy? Lenny lou kicked your boys azz....lol. I hhhhhhaaaate Tyson argghhhh!!! Lets shizzl this thread up like the other one shall we?

Its delusional to try to claim that one of Tyson's strenghts was his comp....your an idiot.

Tyson was a great fighter who beat some decent skilled fighters and often dominated them...Watching Tyson one can see how strong his technique and presence was BUT HIS COMP WAS ELEMENTARY!!!! Watson

[sonnyboyx2]

Hy sonny boy? Lenny lou kicked your boys azz....lol. I hhhhhhaaaate Tyson argghhhh!!! Lets shizzl this thread up like the other one shall we?

Its delusional to try to claim that one of Tyson's strenghts was his comp....your an idiot.

Tyson was a great fighter who beat some decent skilled fighters and often dominated them...Watching Tyson one can see how strong his technique and presence was BUT HIS COMP WAS ELEMENTARY!!!! Watson

Well Bill your correct, Lennox DID kick Tysons azz. just like Danny Williams and Kevin McBride kicked his azz...Lennox, Williams & McBride were all first round KOs for 1986-90 Mike Tyson...Lennox didn't even fancy his chances against the 1996 version of Tyson, so passed on him.. But once they heard Tyson was addicted to prescription Anti-Depressants, Alcohol, Cocaine & Cannabis in the years 2002-2004 they grew a pair

[sonnyboyx2]

It is sad that with the exception of Holmes and Tyson, the 80s does get criticised as being the era of drug rehab contenders and champions.

Tyson's opponents, prior to his incarceration are largely seen as insignificant in a historical context because of how easily he dealt with them and also that few went on to achieve anything of note afterwards.

But on paper; just about every matchup he had between winning the title from Berbick and the second Ruddock fight made sense and had a good selling point:

Bonecrusher Smith was not seen as some tomato can at the time. A one round win over Tim Witherspoon did not go unnoticed.

Pinklon Thomas: A great boxing talent, who never really realised his potential due to substance issues. But he had only one loss going into the Tyson fight and he was known as probably being the most talented heavyweight boxer since Holmes.

Tony Tucker had a stellar amateur career, was undefeated and clearly in great shape for the Tyson fight. This fight would have been built up to an incredible spectacle these days. At his best Tucker would probably have given many an atg heavyweight a good fight.......and if he hadn't met Tyson he may have gone undefeated until the emergence of Holyfield, Bowe or Lewis!

Biggs was another undefeated pro and former amateur star (with a gold medal no less!). Another fight which could have enjoyed a monster build up! Imagine Anthony Joshua challenging Wlad a couple of years from now.......

Holmes; it is fair to say that the casual fan didn't know how rushed Holmes's comeback was, or how little time he had to prepare! But on paper his record spoke for itself, he had never been stopped and the Spinks fights were very close!

Tubbs: Probably his least credible defence due to Tubb's known weight problems, motivation and substance issues. But he had only been beaten once in a close fight with Tim Witherspoon and had fast hands and a decent skill set.

Spinks: This for once did get the build up it deserved, both were undefeated and Spinks definitely had proved his usefulness as a decent heavyweight in both fights with Holmes and Cooney too. Quite a few gave Spinks a good chance too, that is largely forgotten now! It was felt at the time that Spink's distance stamina might make things very interesting if he got Tyson outside the early rounds. The manner of defeat almost makes it embarrassing to suggest that Spinks was a good heavyweight at all......but there are decent heavyweights in history that Spinks would have given a very good fight.

Bruno doesn't really get too much appreciation. But up to this point his only losses had come to Bonecrusher and Witherspoon......in fights that he was leading on points prior to the stoppages! He had also dealt with quick Tillis in a much more convincing way than Tyson. He hurt Tyson too! That Bruno was able to box on even terms for 6 rounds against Lennox Lewis and decision McCall for the WBC title years later indicates that he wasn't a joke. He always turned up in superb condition.....

Williams was another to suffer a severe loss of reputation after losing to Tyson in one round. He was probably the least deserving contender since Tubbs, but he did have some decent boxing skills and athleticism. As Sonnyboyx indicated, he did well in the Holmes fight......I'd argue nearly as well as Spinks! Shame about his punch resistance!

Buster Douglas, yeah yeah. 44:1 under dog, not a very credible challenge on paper. he had shown ability against Tucker and some great form against McCall. But even then it was a surprise loss. Lets be honest though; even allowing for Tyson's poor form that evening it is rare to see a guy with Buster's dimensions moving and punching in combination so well. It wasn't just a great win, it was a brilliant performance. If he could have kept that form he could have done very well. Shame!

Tilman: By any standards this man had a great amateur career and two wins in the amateur ranks against Tyson. This was a good selling point, nobody knew how Tyson would have been affected by the KO loss to Douglas....not to mention the big beating he suffered in the nine rounds beforehand.

Stewart: Ok, no legend of the sport.....but he was absolutely destroyed by Tyson! He had a good record with only one loss going into the fight (Holyfield KO in 8), but he went on to have competitive distance fights with Holyfield and Foreman. Far from being a tomato can!

Ruddock: Another decent amateur with only one loss as a pro. He showed some real toughness and a terrific left in both fights with Tyson. He tends to be dismissed now because of his quick loss to Lennox Lewis shortly after.


It is fair to say that most of the above champions and contenders will not go down in history as legends of the sport. But most were very much considered credible opponents at the time.

It makes you wonder how Tyson would have done against the contenders of the 70s (probably the best decade talent wise!). Many would probably not pick him in matchups with Ali, Foreman or even prime Holmes. But I'd bet he'd be favourite with the bookies to beat Frazier, Quarry, Bonavena, Shavers, Ellis, Lyle, Norton or Young. Tyson may well have embarrassed one or two with early KO defeats too!

But the 70s contenders will forever be immortalised, and rightly so. However, it is fair to say that I think that more than a few Tyson challengers on their day would do well in matchups with some of the 70s contenders that I have listed. Their legacies may well have been ruined by the sheer decadence of the cocaine 80s as well as the brilliance of Holmes and Tyson, who clearly were a level above.

Excellent post Sugar

[BKM-2010]

Mike Tyson:
Tyrell Biggs- TKO 7
Tony Tucker- UD Scored 118-113, 119-111, 117-112
Frank Bruno- TKO 5 and TKO 3
"Razor" Ruddock- TKO 7 and UD Scored 113-109, 114-108, 114-108
Evander Holyfield- Loss TKO 11 and Loss DQ 3
Francois Botha- KO 5
Andrew Golota- TKO 2, later changed to NC for Marijuana


Lennox Lewis:
Tyrell Biggs- TKO 3
Tony Tucker- UD Scored 117-111, 116-112, 118-111, Tucker down in 3rd and 9th rounds
Frank Bruno- TKO 7
"Razor" Ruddock- KO 2
Evander Holyfield- Robbery Draw 116-113, 113-115, 115-115 and UD Scored 116-112, 117-111, 115-113
Francois Botha- KO 2
Andrew Golota- KO 1

Bruno is literally the only exception. Bruno was a good fighter that would be an ATG in this era. Bruno did better against young in shape Lewis than prime in shape Klit did against old shot fat under motivated Lewis.

Lewis beat most of those guys after they were already damaged beyond repair by Tyson or already started having substance problems though.

And sometimes I get the impression that people give more credit for Lewis for those wins over guys like Tucker and Bruno than they do for Tyson who beat better versions of them, which is wrong.

[califo]

With Michael Tyson I am more impressed with the fact that he unified all the titles. That stand more on his resume than the quality of opponents he faced. He cleaned out the division.

[The Old LefHook]

Tyson fought decent competition, but you probably could not rate his roster in the top ten for heavyweight champions.

[sonnyboyx2]

With Michael Tyson I am more impressed with the fact that he unified all the titles. That stand more on his resume than the quality of opponents he faced. He cleaned out the division.

Your correct, Tyson unified the Heavyweight Title TWICE, he fought fighters like Seldon, Bruno and Smith because they held titles. Tyson avoided no fighter.

[sonnyboyx2]

Mike Tyson:
Tyrell Biggs- TKO 7
Tony Tucker- UD Scored 118-113, 119-111, 117-112
Frank Bruno- TKO 5 and TKO 3
"Razor" Ruddock- TKO 7 and UD Scored 113-109, 114-108, 114-108
Evander Holyfield- Loss TKO 11 and Loss DQ 3
Francois Botha- KO 5
Andrew Golota- TKO 2, later changed to NC for Marijuana


Lennox Lewis:
Tyrell Biggs- TKO 3
Tony Tucker- UD Scored 117-111, 116-112, 118-111, Tucker down in 3rd and 9th rounds
Frank Bruno- TKO 7
"Razor" Ruddock- KO 2
Evander Holyfield- Robbery Draw 116-113, 113-115, 115-115 and UD Scored 116-112, 117-111, 115-113
Francois Botha- KO 2
Andrew Golota- KO 1

Bruno is literally the only exception. Bruno was a good fighter that would be an ATG in this era. Bruno did better against young in shape Lewis than prime in shape Klit did against old shot fat under motivated Lewis.

Lets take a look at when Lewis fought them..

Tyrell Biggs - undefeated when Tyson beat him, Had lost 3 of his last 7 by KO and was hard into drugs when Lewis beat him.

Tony Tucker - undefeated world champ 34-0 when losing to Tyson. Shell of himself and ravaged by drug abuse when losing to Lewis.

Frank Bruno - Out-Jabbed Lewis and beat Lewis at every aspect of the game, before getting tagged in 7rd. Beat the journeyman for world title who had poleaxed Lewis in less than 2rds. lost title to Tyson in 3rds.

Razor Ruddock - "Damaged Goods" after two brutal beatings from Tyson. suffered broken cheek-bone and eye-socket.. Never threw a single punch in pathetic fight with Lewis.

Evander Holyfield - Lewis unfortunate not to get decision in first fight. Holyfield "ROBBED" of world titles in rematch after clearly winning 7-4-1 rds.

Frans Botha - Drug addict, who Lewis chose to fight so as to avoid his No1 contender John Ruiz. Lewis then stripped of WBA title.

Andrew Golota - Steroid abuser, who took "panic attack" in dressing room. was sedated by doctor 30 minutes before opening bell "Pathetic"

Sorry to pizz on your chips