There are 2 types of boxing fans.......

[Addison]

Theres no way Tyson would be able to get inside Lewis without eating multiple uppercuts, and Tyson just cant take that punishment. Lennox will measure him all day with his jab, and punish him with uppercuts and right hands. When Tyson gets in close Lewis would tie him up.

I think Tyson was a great fighter because he cleaned out his division, and showed some amazing skill while doing so. He didnt beat anybody even close to as good as Lewis though. I think more or less people get mesmerized by the skill he showed and forget that it was against average opposition.

This is basically describing the fight they had.

You're forgetting about the turbine, dynamite in both fists, constant motion, combination throwing, body blasting, explosively athletic Mike Tyson.


Also, what can we say about the level of competition Lewis fought??

[Feint]

I think he was a great fighter who peaked at a young age.

I think this is a very fair assessment.

Tyson also had a lot of problems out of the ring that affected his skills within it. I always wonder how great he could have been without those problems. Unfortunately, we will never know.

But having said that when he was "on" he was incredible. I would still rank him as one of the all-time great Heavyweights, even if he is far down the list.

[deuce_drop]

I'm not talking about those who appreciate the sweet science vs. those who prefer all out wars either. I'm talking about those who think Mike Tyson was a great fighter and those who do not.....

In my many years of enjoying this beautiful sport I've had the distinct honor to discuss boxing with fellow fans both on and off the internet. Throughout those years it became clear to me that the subject of Mike Tyson was one of such one-sided proportions that you either loved him or hated him. And I'm not talking personally either, I mean professionally.

There are those who believe that Mike Tyson, in his prime, was one of the greatest heavyweight fighters to ever lace up a pair of boots. And that his power and sheer will and intimidation would thwart any would-be opponet from any era.

Then there are those who believe that Mike Tyson was a solid, average fighter with above-average power who was simply nothing more than a product of his investors, namely Don King. An overhyped athlete who's reputation preceeded him wherever he went, despite whoever he fought.

I myself am an outspoken member of the latter. Which are you?

i hear you, there are two types of fans when it comes to this topic of boxing and mike tyson.

the way i look at it, it's like Ty Cobb vs Babe Ruth. either you like a home run hitter like Ruth or you like a fundamental baseball player like Cobb.

Ruth came in and change the game more towards excitement and Cobb revolutionized the sport with technique and solid fundamentals.

although we are not talking about two people when it comes to Tyson ( well you can strike that when it comes to his multiple personalities ) but the same thing applies because what the fans want and take from the sport.

people like the babe ruth style of tyson ko'ing everyone, and some people think that that is all he had ( which isnt the case, but he was like that on more than one occasion ). but it's the same mentality of people, some like home runs some people like fundamentals...........

[Truth]

I think Mike Tyson is all time great heavyweight. He wasn't as good as he could have been, but he was pretty damn good.

[miron_lang]

I'm not talking about those who appreciate the sweet science vs. those who prefer all out wars either. I'm talking about those who think Mike Tyson was a great fighter and those who do not.....

In my many years of enjoying this beautiful sport I've had the distinct honor to discuss boxing with fellow fans both on and off the internet. Throughout those years it became clear to me that the subject of Mike Tyson was one of such one-sided proportions that you either loved him or hated him. And I'm not talking personally either, I mean professionally.

There are those who believe that Mike Tyson, in his prime, was one of the greatest heavyweight fighters to ever lace up a pair of boots. And that his power and sheer will and intimidation would thwart any would-be opponet from any era.

Then there are those who believe that Mike Tyson was a solid, average fighter with above-average power who was simply nothing more than a product of his investors, namely Don King. An overhyped athlete who's reputation preceeded him wherever he went, despite whoever he fought.

I myself am an outspoken member of the latter. Which are you?

The latter


Evander and Lennox was his Foreman and Frazier.


He was kayoed by the 2

[chito]

he's quick and strong but he's not as smart as ali. ali would feast on him had they fought.

[mr.anthrax]

I think the people posting in this thread have done a great job of keeping this conversation intelligent and repectful, which is cool to see. However, I must STRONGLY disagree with two ideas that keep popping up in this thread.

Lewis and Foreman. Big George was the closest thing to a Tyson of the 70's, and that was mostly due to punching power and intimidation, two things he certainly shared with Tyson.

The crucial difference between George and Mike would be defense 1st, hand speed 2nd, and better punching form 3rd. Big George was wide open to be hit in his prime and the old fight tapes prove that. Tyson was very difficult to be hit clean in his very short prime, and that is the only era of Tyson that should be discussed in these arguements.

Tyson was fast on his feet and fast with his hands, while George was slow and lumbering. The third advantage for Mike would be the absolutley huge, wide, wide, wide arc of Foreman's punches. Tyson would be perfectly suited to slipping and countering with his own bombs.

Bottom line; The Punch-out of the Century ( as King probally would have called it) would look spectacular for about five rounds, then it would devolve into a bore with both guys leaning on each other, and punching too little for a restless crowd looking for blood.

I would give Foreman the edge in mental toughness but I think it would only allow him to go the distance. Prime Tyson could get frustrated, but he never showed signs of doing something ****** like in the 90's. Tyson hits Foreman too often to lose in this (somewhat of a ) letdown dream fight.

Lewis. Which Lennox Lewis was the best by the way? This is really important for the sake of discussion.

[CRESCENDOPOWER]

The version of Tyson from "86" to "89" beats any Heavyweight Champion in history. If his outside the ring problems would have been resolved we “could” be talking today about the greatest boxer to ever live. Too bad his reign didn’t last all that long.