The Myth Of Mike Tyson

[Abe Attell]

Tyson would not do what Frazier did at all. Would tyson win the FOTC in 1971? i really ****en doubt it.

The fighters in the 80s and 90s were in better condition? You wont find too many fighters that were in better condition then a prime Joe Frazier.

Well it didn't matter how great conditioned Joe was, he was blown out by Foreman both times

[kjellho]

Don't avoid the questions. Keep this on a mature level.

[SABBATH]

Don't avoid the questions. Keep this on a mature level.

What questions? Name me any fighter considered a top 10 All Time Great heavyweight who built his reputation on the backs of 27 fighters with 269 career KO losses. Tyson's reputation was based on probably the weakest pre-title competition of any heavyweight champion. Only George Foreman is comparable but at least he wasn't considered a top 10 ATG at 21 years of age.

[Abe Attell]

Have you seen the opponents Rocky Marciano fought before winning the title?

and how many of thes guys would actually be considered true heavyweights?

[kjellho]

What questions?

The ones with a question mark at the end.

[Heckler]

Well it didn't matter how great conditioned Joe was, he was blown out by Foreman both times

Your point being? Should we discredit Frazier for being beat convincingy in a bad style matchup? against a fighter (in his prime) that would probably clean up the divisions in both the 80's and the 90's

[Heckler]

If you rip Tyson, you have to rip Marciano:

at least Tyson fought one of the best lightheavyweights near their prime...lets not forget Michael Spinks was a great fighter, that was a naturally huge lightheavyweight, more of a small heavyweight/crusierweight...and if I remember correctly, only one of those wins against Larry Holmes was controversial, but that said, Larry wasn't really in his prime either, but Larry, nor anybody else, was able to knockout Spinks, and in dramatic fashion.

Tyson was also the only person to knockout Larry Holmes, though old, Larry would have another career after the Tyson fight...a career which included close fights to really good opponents.


All that said, Tyson never lived up to his potential, nor was he able to fight a great fighter in his prime.

He beat spinks, spinks was terrified and put up next to NO FIGHT. Didn't Marciano beat a great LHW near his prime.. Archie Moore? No your probably right he didn't. Bob Foster was a great fighter, but a natural LHW. Muhammad Ali demolished him but we don't use that win as a base for praising Ali do we?

[worldbfree]

Tyson was great

your measuring stick has a flaw...there's no one thing that measures greatness...sometimes it's not just who you fought, but also where, when, the way you fought. Sometimes the record can't even measure greatness.

Its so laughable that one would attempt to claim Mike Tyson is the lesser for fighting those he fought, without also examining the greater context. He fought the man in front of him...and in boxing it is well documented that the figurative David and Goliath is only one split second worth of carelessness from becoming a historical event. But Tyson was better than just good, not only did he consistently win, but he demolished men who were on the brink of fame if they could only find that careless moment to exploit...the fact that those moments never happened during Mike’s reign was no accident of fate...he was great. He obliterated man with all the motivation in the world. He instilled fear both in and outside the ring, and his power was not just that of a good puncher, his defense was not just that of a good fighter, his accuracy was not just that of a good fighter. Mike Tyson was great...and like those who were great before him...he separated himself from the pack.

Attempting to diminish the accomplishments of Mike Tyson by comparing him to those of the past is a worthless argument. It is impossible to ascertain whether or not Ali would have defeated a prime Mike Tyson or visa versa. What is apparent is that both were great. Attempting to judge one athlete by comparing him to athletes of a different era is an impossible task. It's like the Jordan vs Chamberlain debate. Not only was the competition different, but they were different.

Using your argument I could say Michael Jordan was "over hyped." If you'll recall there was no other great players during his dominance...furthermore, most teams would not dare have their "star" guard MJ for it would be exhausting and therefore the task was handed to some "C" player whom Mike would dominat and therefore he never played against anyone. But Jordan's performance should not only be judged based on who was guarding him (ie John Starks), but instead on the way in which he performed. He seldom failed to win. He scored at will. He instilled fear in opponents. He forced his will over that of those who studied him relentlessly. He was hunted and his position at the top of the mountain was coveted, but he rarely fell. Spare me the numbers. Ask me if Arturo Gatti is great though his record is stained. Ask me if RJJ dominated multiple divisions toying with opponents who are still fighting competitively amongst the top fighters in their divisions. Ask me if Ricky Hatton would have been a failure had he not come to America. Better yet ask yourself. Chump!

ps. you can send that to Frank Scoblete

[realheavyhands]

Larry Holmes at 40 something alsmost beat holyfield and dominted ray mercer he fought tyson in his 30s . In 1985 He had just turned pro of course he is going to fight easy opposition early , he also was still fighting southpaw in some of those fights so he never even had his style developed completely at that time. Its sad I cant see how someone can deny tyson until 1988 MIGHT have been the greatest fighter that had ever lived. He was devopled by cusdamto, there was no fighter like tyson at that time. if you watch floyd mayweather he and tyson fought alot alike. After 1988 tyson was a swarmer no longer a boxer

[RockyMarcianofan00]

Have you seen the opponents Rocky Marciano fought before winning the title?

and how many of thes guys would actually be considered true heavyweights?

I hate ppl like u
i always post links giving Marciano's opponents credit.
Some of Marciano's good pre-title fights
Carmine Vingo
Roland Lastarza
Rex Layne
Joe Louis
etc

the point is with this thread and many other fighters is that ur always going to have to fight bums on ur way to the top. Not all of ur opponents are gunna be top contenders. You gotta fight who they give u and not duck anyone.Honestly how can u say mike tyson is a myth the guy dominated everyone until buster douglas. and even after taht (pre-prison) he still dominated. The guy was hella strong, Fast, good footwork, defense, head movement, he had it all. He's definitely a great