If Tyson had come back like Ali would he have been the undisputed GOAT?

[sentax]

Both Tyson and Ali lost about 3 years each in their primes due outside circumstances. However Ali came back and eventually returned to form as champion and Mike continued on with his slide that began with just prior to going to jail.

If Tyson was able to come back and capture the heavyweight title at least a couple more times like Ali did would he have gone down as GOAT?

[BKM-]

Obviously since his biggest wins would come against ATG's like Lewis and Holyfield when those 2 were both at their best. He doesn't have that now, he now relies on being the youngest champ and unifying all the titles with a memorable 37-0 reign.

If he had those guys on his resume on top of that then most would say he's the GOAT. If he had added on to that with wins over Bowe, Foreman, Morrison, Tua etc. there wouldn't be much doubt left.

[QueensburyRules]

--- Ali comeback started well, but turned into a beatdown.

Tyson comeback was less damaging, but more circus because of his meltdowns.

[Sugarj]

I remember Tyson's comeback well. After the Bruno and Seldon wins many felt he was near as dammit back to his best and more than likely to destroy, if not kill a war worn Holyfield (with a well publicised heart defect) and then move on to once again expose Lennox Lewis's dubious chin; the same way McCall had a couple of years previous.

Golota had pretty much finished off Bowe at world level and a long title reign for Tyson was expected.

Didn't quite go to plan....

[The Old LefHook]

Redundant Question

Question rephrased:

If Mike Tyson were the GOAT, would he still be the GOAT?

I would be the GOAT if I did all the stuff you are talking about.

[Dempsey-Louis]

Obviously since his biggest wins would come against ATG's like Lewis and Holyfield when those 2 were both at their best. He doesn't have that now, he now relies on being the youngest champ and unifying all the titles with a memorable 37-0 reign.

If he had those guys on his resume on top of that then most would say he's the GOAT. If he had added on to that with wins over Bowe, Foreman, Morrison, Tua etc. there wouldn't be much doubt left.

I agree with your assessment except for Holyfield. Ironically if Tyson had beaten Holyfield (I) it would have been expected and the kudos might not have been there (nor would there have been a Holyfield II).

Then with Tyson being the go to fight for Moore, Bowe and Lewis, Holyfield's resume would have been only Douglas and Foreman. He would still be an ATG but not where he is today.

I guess I am saying, when some drunk guy in a bar starts going off about how Tyson is the GOAT, the (single) Holyfield fight might not get mentioned.

[Anthony342]

I remember Tyson's comeback well. After the Bruno and Seldon wins many felt he was near as dammit back to his best and more than likely to destroy, if not kill a war worn Holyfield (with a well publicised heart defect) and then move on to once again expose Lennox Lewis's dubious chin; the same way McCall had a couple of years previous.

Golota had pretty much finished off Bowe at world level and a long title reign for Tyson was expected.

Didn't quite go to plan....

I know I didn't think that. I thought if Tyson couldn't handle Buster Douglas standing up to him, then when the tougher, more skilled Holyfield did the same, it was only a matter of time before Tyson was stopped again. With the Lewis fight, it was a combination of Tyson being shot and Stewart teaching Lewis well how to protect his chin that led me to believe in Lewis winning that one. I DID think Tyson could still beat just about anyone else though if he was in shape. Lewis/Tyson was the only time I picked the right round the fight would end in. Only did it one other time in MMA with Silva/Sonnen 2.

[Sugarj]

I know I didn't think that. I thought if Tyson couldn't handle Buster Douglas standing up to him, then when the tougher, more skilled Holyfield did the same, it was only a matter of time before Tyson was stopped again. With the Lewis fight, it was a combination of Tyson being shot and Stewart teaching Lewis well how to protect his chin that led me to believe in Lewis winning that one. I DID think Tyson could still beat just about anyone else though if he was in shape. Lewis/Tyson was the only time I picked the right round the fight would end in. Only did it one other time in MMA with Silva/Sonnen 2.

In 1996 many boxing fans took the view that it was a subpar Tyson that met Douglas back in 1990. Honestly, next to no one thought Holyfield would beat Tyson. Holyfield had been stopped the previous year by Bowe after fading alarmingly in that fight and the memory of the very sluggish Moorer performance and the heart complaint was still fresh in mind.

Only one ringside pundit (Ron Borges) predicted a Holyfield win. So if you did too; well done. But I didn't know a single soul who expected anything other than a Tyson win.

As for Tyson vs Lewis. Tyson was so far post prime and above his best fight weight too. Short of a lucky punch, Tyson wasn't going to win.

[BKM-]

It's true about everyone underestimating Holyfield at the time, and who can blame them.

But hindsight is key here, nobody knew that Holyfield had fully healed from his health problems at the time and was stronger than ever.

So if Tyson beat him I believe Holyfield would still redeem himself in the public's eye by showing a great account of himself later against Lewis and others, and then Tyson would start getting more credit again.

I feel silly talking about this though. Tyson would never beat Holyfield. Evander is his daddy:

[Zaroku]

I think you are missing essential points:

Ali wasn’t idle in prison, but Tyson was!

Ali stood up against the Vietnam War, and being drafted to kill oppressed peoples.

Tyson, spent his time in prison, for a **** many feel he didn’t commit.

Very different situations. Ali was later praised for his decisions, and Tyson was vilified for his.

I think these are important points to consider.