The young/prime Mike Tyson

[Mugwump]

I find it surreal that people are quite happy to give Tyson more excuses and benefit of the doubt that they would an entire division.

Guys like, say, Marquez (who over his career has been written off more times than he's been written on) must wonder what the hell they have to do to attract the kind of unconditional love usually practiced by an adoring dog staring up at its master.

Seriously, have people lost their senses? Ranking a guy who was washed up before 25 and biting people's ears off in his thirties among the absolute finest heavies the sport has produced since its inception? I wouldn't mind so much if during this mythic "prime" period he was engaged in epic struggles against genuine top tier talent. He was beaten by - depending on your point of view - a journeyman or a bum when he should have been at his physical and mental peak.

When he returned to the sport he should still have been reasonably close to peak physical fitness. Yet he was battered into submission by a blown up cruiser and quit in the most gutless fashion imaginable. I mean, Duran gets SLAUGHTERED for quitting on his stool. But at least he had the integrity not to try and blame it on some momentary mental aberration.

Against Lewis Tyson functioned as little more than a heavy bag and took a merciless beating.

Great fighters are such because they take life's knocks and return such with interest. Sure, Iron Mike looked good beating up on a modestly talented division as a youngster. But the moment the heavyweight division bit back he fell apart, or quit, or ended up in prison or ruined his body with a ****tail of anti-depressants, stimulants and god knows what other drugs.

To be honest, I've more respect for widely-derided fighters such as Rid**** Bowe who despite serious limitations often showed tremendous bravery in the ring - much to the detriment of his own health.

Tyson isn't a great fighter. He's a fanboy obsession.

[Scott9945]

I find it surreal that people are quite happy to give Tyson more excuses and benefit of the doubt that they would an entire division.

Guys like, say, Marquez (who over his career has been written off more times than he's been written on) must wonder what the hell they have to do to attract the kind of unconditional love usually practiced by an adoring dog staring up at its master.

Seriously, have people lost their senses? Ranking a guy who was washed up before 25 and biting people's ears off in his thirties among the absolute finest heavies the sport has produced since its inception? I wouldn't mind so much if during this mythic "prime" period he was engaged in epic struggles against genuine top tier talent. He was beaten by - depending on your point of view - a journeyman or a bum when he should have been at his physical and mental peak.

When he returned to the sport he should still have been reasonably close to peak physical fitness. Yet he was battered into submission by a blown up cruiser and quit in the most gutless fashion imaginable. I mean, Duran gets SLAUGHTERED for quitting on his stool. But at least he had the integrity not to try and blame it on some momentary mental aberration.

Against Lewis Tyson functioned as little more than a heavy bag and took a merciless beating.

Great fighters are such because they take life's knocks and return such with interest. Sure, Iron Mike looked good beating up on a modestly talented division as a youngster. But the moment the heavyweight division bit back he fell apart, or quit, or ended up in prison or ruined his body with a ****tail of anti-depressants, stimulants and god knows what other drugs.

To be honest, I've more respect for widely-derided fighters such as Rid**** Bowe who despite serious limitations often showed tremendous bravery in the ring - much to the detriment of his own health.

Tyson isn't a great fighter. He's a fanboy obsession.

Some great comments there.

[juggernaut666]

I find it surreal that people are quite happy to give Tyson more excuses and benefit of the doubt that they would an entire division.

Guys like, say, Marquez (who over his career has been written off more times than he's been written on) must wonder what the hell they have to do to attract the kind of unconditional love usually practiced by an adoring dog staring up at its master.

Seriously, have people lost their senses? Ranking a guy who was washed up before 25 and biting people's ears off in his thirties among the absolute finest heavies the sport has produced since its inception? I wouldn't mind so much if during this mythic "prime" period he was engaged in epic struggles against genuine top tier talent. He was beaten by - depending on your point of view - a journeyman or a bum when he should have been at his physical and mental peak.

When he returned to the sport he should still have been reasonably close to peak physical fitness. Yet he was battered into submission by a blown up cruiser and quit in the most gutless fashion imaginable. I mean, Duran gets SLAUGHTERED for quitting on his stool. But at least he had the integrity not to try and blame it on some momentary mental aberration.

Against Lewis Tyson functioned as little more than a heavy bag and took a merciless beating.

Great fighters are such because they take life's knocks and return such with interest. Sure, Iron Mike looked good beating up on a modestly talented division as a youngster. But the moment the heavyweight division bit back he fell apart, or quit, or ended up in prison or ruined his body with a ****tail of anti-depressants, stimulants and god knows what other drugs.

To be honest, I've more respect for widely-derided fighters such as Rid**** Bowe who despite serious limitations often showed tremendous bravery in the ring - much to the detriment of his own health.

Tyson isn't a great fighter. He's a fanboy obsession.

More like the typical delusional TWO comments above me....boxing is the art appreciated when someone is at their best and relevant under Kevin Rooney Tyson arguably was the best fighter of all time...he was also the youngest champion in Hw HISTORY ...your comment is......

[juggernaut666]

Every 45yr old man on earth, if asked who would win a fight between himself against a 25yr old version of himself. Would say, "The 25yr old would knock me out within 3rds"....

Speaking out of context once again sonnyboy......"I was a one trick pony in my younger years,i became much stronger and smarter in my comeback" G.Foreman"


Here another one just cause...."Foreman in his 40's would have given ali a better fight he picked his shots and timed them,he also had a better chin because he was more relaxed,he also utilized his jab more,he became a thinker" Angelo Dundee

[Mugwump]

More like the typical delusional TWO comments above me....boxing is the art appreciated when someone is at their best

No - I think you'll find that's known as "fair weather fandom". Greatness is born out of adversity and has been going back to the days of Homer's Iliad. Basically what you're saying is - a fighter should only be judged when things are overwhelmingly in his favour. Big deal.

By your rationale every currently unbeaten fighter is now - by definition - equally great.

Tyson arguably was the best fighter of all time...he was also the youngest champion in Hw HISTORY ...your comment is......

You see - this is precisely what I mean by obsessive behavior. Why should the fact that Tyson was the "Youngest Champion in HW history" take on greater significance than the fight itself? This is no different to the endless number of people who are obsessed with "The Fastest", "The Hardest Hitting", "The Toughest Chin", "The Greatest Defence".

If anything your fascination with Tyson seems closer to aspiration than anything based on sound reason. He's a BRAND you associate with because you think this says something about you as an individual.

Why anyone would want to gravitate toward an odious character such as Tyson is a question in itself ...

[juggernaut666]

No - I think you'll find that's known as "fair weather fandom". Greatness is born out of adversity and has been going back to the days of Homer's Iliad. Basically what you're saying is - a fighter should only be judged when things are overwhelmingly in his favour. Big deal.

By your rationale every currently unbeaten fighter is now - by definition - equally great.



You see - this is precisely what I mean by obsessive behavior. Why should the fact that Tyson was the "Youngest Champion in HW history" take on greater significance than the fight itself? This is no different to the endless number of people who are obsessed with "The Fastest", "The Hardest Hitting", "The Toughest Chin", "The Greatest Defence". The only obsessive here is guys like you who cant handle objective real posts.you call objectiveness when you literally put out a misinformed post on Tysons career and relevance to boxing b/c of his person life...really....???

If anything your fascination with Tyson seems closer to aspiration than anything based on sound reason. He's a BRAND you associate with because you think this says something about you as an individual.

Why anyone would want to gravitate toward an odious character such as Tyson is a question in itself ...

Greatness doesn't have a time length that's delusionalism ,you cant judge a fighter past their prime....that being the best or peak years,you seem to be confused with age as evidence of greatness,it is false.There is a big difference between being the greatest and being the best!Tyson fell short on the greatest but to say Ali or louis is better at Tysons best is false and that is my opinion.You yourself eliminated yourself with credibility not sticking to the actual fights but moved on to his personal character which is obvious and not just your posts but your last sentence proves it.."Why anyone would want to gravitate towards an odious character like Tyson is a question in itself" Quoting YOU..........YOU slipped up! "

[Mugwump]

Greatness doesn't have a time length that's delusionalism ,you cant judge a fighter past their prime....that being the best or peak years,you seem to be confused with age as evidence of greatness,it is false.There is a big difference between being the greatest and being the best!Tyson fell short on the greatest but to say Ali or louis is better at Tysons best is false and that is my opinion.You yourself eliminated yourself with credibility not sticking to the actual fights but moved on to his personal character which is obvious and not just your posts but your last sentence proves it.."Why anyone would want to gravitate towards an odious character like Tyson is a question in itself" Quoting YOU..........YOU slipped up! "

LOL - you are making the rulebook up as you go along. Tyson's wretched character is undoubtedly a legitimate topic for discussion given that it very often manifested itself IN THE RING.

Ali, Joe Frazier and Joe Louis weren't impervious to pain. Opponents could hurt them just as easily as Holyfield hurt Tyson when they fought. Indeed, the relative laxity in the interpretation of laws meant that the kind of intimidatory, rough-house tactics Holyfield employed to great effect would likely have been considered just another day at work by all of them.

Yet none allowed their frustrations to get the better of them and QUIT in spectacularly dishonorouble, disreputable - not to mention grisly - fashion.

By definition - great fighters beat great opponents - and not when the age difference is so large one could be the son of the other.

Tyson faced Holyfield and Lewis. One battered him into quitting. The other battered him into obscurity.

I mean, if you want to rig the game by considering Tyson completely outside the context of his opponents and time spent at the top - fine. But don't expect too many others to embrace this sham.

Anyhow, I've had enough. Either you are a troll or a fool. Which means you aren't worth wasting any more of my precious time on. Enjoy your private little fantasy.

[jiopsi]

I've hard time taking anyone seriously who brings Holyfield and Lewis in the discussion of prime Tyson.

[juggernaut666]

LOL - you are making the rulebook up as you go along. Tyson's wretched character is undoubtedly a legitimate topic for discussion given that it very often manifested itself IN THE RING.

Ali, Joe Frazier and Joe Louis weren't impervious to pain. Opponents could hurt them just as easily as Holyfield hurt Tyson when they fought. Indeed, the relative laxity in the interpretation of laws meant that the kind of intimidatory, rough-house tactics Holyfield employed to great effect would likely have been considered just another day at work by all of them.

Yet none allowed their frustrations to get the better of them and QUIT in spectacularly dishonorouble, disreputable - not to mention grisly - fashion.

By definition - great fighters beat great opponents - and not when the age difference is so large one could be the son of the other.

Tyson faced Holyfield and Lewis. One battered him into quitting. The other battered him into obscurity.

I mean, if you want to rig the game by considering Tyson completely outside the context of his opponents and time spent at the top - fine. But don't expect too many others to embrace this sham.

Anyhow, I've had enough. Either you are a troll or a fool. Which means you aren't worth wasting any more of my precious time on. Enjoy your private little fantasy.

Not at all your off track first you accuse everyone of obsessiveness without being objective yet your the very creation of it as ive proved,i even quoted your OWN quote....you cannot debate with a simpleton who with an agenda based on someone he dislikes on a personal level....again ...you slipped up...and this post proves it further.Mugwup you got mopped up.....learn the art of boxing itself it will help next time you TRY and be slick at least you will SOUND legit and not throw all empty irrelevant sentances out there not pertaining to the actual topic like Tysons losses in 2002 when the topic is "The young/prime Tyson" you dope ....

[sonnyboyx2]

Speaking out of context once again sonnyboy......"I was a one trick pony in my younger years,i became much stronger and smarter in my comeback" G.Foreman"


Here another one just cause...."Foreman in his 40's would have given ali a better fight he picked his shots and timed them,he also had a better chin because he was more relaxed,he also utilized his jab more,he became a thinker" Angelo Dundee

But lost every round to Tommy Morrison..