ESPN Classic Ringside: Mike Tyson

[Heavybag Champ]

You have NEVER seen a heavyweight with that type of speed/power/technique and never will again. I know the guy was a punk and his reign didnt last long at all but for the love of God...


Cant we all just pretend that Tyson died in a plane crash instead of getting sent to prison for **** and give the man his due credit?

Its sickening to read through these lists and not see Tyson at or near the top when you all know, damn well, in his prime, Tyson was unbeatable.

[Anthony342]

He was great, but I think Holyfield could've beat him prime for prime. Would've been close though IMO. Plus I just read today that he snapped at some interviewer for bringing up his **** conviction, so that's back in the press now.

[Scott9945]

You have NEVER seen a heavyweight with that type of speed/power/technique and never will again. I know the guy was a punk and his reign didnt last long at all but for the love of God...


Cant we all just pretend that Tyson died in a plane crash instead of getting sent to prison for **** and give the man his due credit?

Its sickening to read through these lists and not see Tyson at or near the top when you all know, damn well, in his prime, Tyson was unbeatable.

He was unbeatable against the competition he was fighting, which needs to be kept in context.

[rightsideup]

He was unbeatable against the competition he was fighting, which needs to be kept in context.

yes he fought some completion during his reign that just did not seem to reach there potential or if they did were not that talented ie berbick

[Ben Bolt]

I might have mentioned it before, but when we take our pick of who were the greatest athletes of all time, surveys have shown we pick the ones that were active when we ourselves were around 15-20 years of age, the age when we idolize the athletes at the most.

Me myself grew up in the heavyweight era which was dominated by Ali and later Holmes, so I’ve no doubt a prime Holmes would easily have handled a prime Tyson.

My father grew up when Marciano was in control, so he believes the Blockbuster would have bulldozed an Ali or a Foreman.

When we pick our No. Ones, it’s more a question of when we were born than sense.

Just look at Nat Fleisher’s top 10 heavyweight list. He ranked Bob Fitzsimmons over Dempsey and Louis. It was his truth, like everyone of us stick to our own.

So, I can imagine a lot of young fans out there today, will always claim Wlad was the greatest of all time.

[Joe Beamish]

Its sickening to read through these lists and not see Tyson at or near the top when you all know, damn well, in his prime, Tyson was unbeatable.

I'd put prime Tyson in the Rooney era up against anybody. He's in the top 3 or 4 heavies of all time, with no single guy on top. (Styles make fights.)

Tyson moved so damn stunningly well and efficiently, moved his whole trunk as quickly as a micro-sized spring loaded plastic toy, and threw sick combinations nobody had seen before -- sure as hell not from a HW. His punches were accurate and he finished people off like a lion.

[beez721]

You have NEVER seen a heavyweight with that type of speed/power/technique and never will again. I know the guy was a punk and his reign didnt last long at all but for the love of God...


Cant we all just pretend that Tyson died in a plane crash instead of getting sent to prison for **** and give the man his due credit?

Its sickening to read through these lists and not see Tyson at or near the top when you all know, damn well, in his prime, Tyson was unbeatable.

Tyson had a freakish blend of speed,,,power and timing but he wasn't unbeatable at any time in his career. there are some guys that had the style to beat him like a foreman or even holyfield. guys that could take shots and not give in could really trouble mike

[Joe Beamish]

Tyson had a freakish blend of speed,,,power and timing but he wasn't unbeatable at any time in his career. there are some guys that had the style to beat him like a foreman or even holyfield. guys that could take shots and not give in could really trouble mike

True, in principle. No one is invulnerable. Ali couldn't handle someone who knew how to handle that jab (Norton), and was prey to a great left hook (Frazier.)

[beez721]

True, in principle. No one is invulnerable. Ali couldn't handle someone who knew how to handle that jab (Norton), and was prey to a great left hook (Frazier.)

yea,,,,there hasn't been a fighter in history unbeatable. Tyson was a beast without a doubt

[Heavybag Champ]

True, in principle. No one is invulnerable. Ali couldn't handle someone who knew how to handle that jab (Norton), and was prey to a great left hook (Frazier.)

Yep and I remember when Bruno DID hurt Mike in the first fight but all it did was piss him off and he came out like an animal the next round.

Tyson was taught well, how to stay calm, especially when youre hurt.

The Douglas fight...Tyson was in bad shape, (130lbs I think?) so much so that his sparring partner knocked him down and he STILL took a monster beating from Buster before going out.

I think Tysons chin is underrated. Holyfield and Lewis beat the sense out of him too. Mike took some big punches (and headbutts) in those fights.


So, who couldve gotten to him before he knocked em out?

Im a big Foreman fan but I think Mike had a good enough 1-2 to get inside on George and I dont see him taking Tysons body to head combos for too long.