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

[wolfgang]

he was one of the most skilled fighters of alltime after roney left he stoping going to the body stopped bobing and weaving he became a head hunter. Some people say he was 5,9 because of his thick neck when fighters are 6,4 or 6,5 eventually your going to lose just because of pure physics.

[deliveryman]

I believe Tyson at his best, could hang with the greatest Heavyweights at all time, probably beating some, and losing to others, based on styles.

A great boxer with a very good jab and good footwork, who wasn't easily intimidated would probably beat Mike. Ali would be a terrible match up for Iron Mike, stylistically at least.

Though I do think Mike at his very, very best would beat, or at least have a pretty decent shot at guys like Frazier, Liston, etc.

Lewis at his best also probably beats any version of Mike.

[tyson]

I think Tyson was one of the greatest fighters ever.

He was a emotionally/mentally troubled guy from day one.

I think we all have a different arc of trajectory in terms of our psychological development and strengthening..

Most folks tend to become stronger and more focused as they become older.

I think Mike's trajectory was just the opposite.

He got worse over time, and through prison.


On Mike's best night I say nobody beats him. Nobody.

The tapes tell the story.

Tyson's main problem, in my eyes, is his balance.
He stands straight up, with his feet nearly side by side, which makes him very easy to push back and off balance.
He was never strong in clinches, in fact he never spent much energy there.
The way I see it, Tyson have to be the aggressor to be effective, cause there's no way he can fight going backwards.

There's no problem in that, except if you face someone even more aggressive.
Bigger, stronger guys than Tyson have existed, so it would be foolish to assume that Mike always would be the one going forward.
Foreman and Frazier being prime examples of people who wouldn't back down.
I don't know about Frazier, but Tyson would never beat Foreman.
I'm not sure Tyson could ever beat Lewis either.
They are just so much stronger than him, and could easily push him off and put him on his back-foot. From there it's an easy fight...

[Addison]

Tyson's main problem, in my eyes, is his balance.
He stands straight up, with his feet nearly side by side, which makes him very easy to push back and off balance.
He was never strong in clinches, in fact he never spent much energy there.
The way I see it, Tyson have to be the aggressor to be effective, cause there's no way he can fight going backwards.

There's no problem in that, except if you face someone even more aggressive.
Bigger, stronger guys than Tyson have existed, so it would be foolish to assume that Mike always would be the one going forward.
Foreman and Frazier being prime examples of people who wouldn't back down.
I don't know about Frazier, but Tyson would never beat Foreman.
I'm not sure Tyson could ever beat Lewis either.
They are just so much stronger than him, and could easily push him off and put him on his back-foot. From there it's an easy fight...

I'll consider you a Tyson expert over myself.. But I've never vibed with these arguments that Lewis would have always beaten Tyson or that George Foreman would have had him.

In Tyson's prime he was hurting big huge guys with single shots, knocking guys out just putting a few gloves on them..

He could have easily knocked out Lewis in his prime, Foreman too, easily.

[deliveryman]

I'll consider you a Tyson expert over myself.. But I've never vibed with these arguments that Lewis would have always beaten Tyson or that George Foreman would have had him.

In Tyson's prime he was hurting big huge guys with single shots, knocking guys out just putting a few gloves on them..

He could have easily knocked out Lewis in his prime, Foreman too, easily.

This is based on what, though?

Tyson has never fought a guy like Foreman, ever.

[freedom213]

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?

Im not trying to rip your post, i do find it interesting but I disagree. Most boxing fans who I consider knowledgable find it almost impossible to deny he had a crazy combination of skills and abilities. I just dont think this is a very debatable point.

[tyson]

I'll consider you a Tyson expert over myself.. But I've never vibed with these arguments that Lewis would have always beaten Tyson or that George Foreman would have had him.

In Tyson's prime he was hurting big huge guys with single shots, knocking guys out just putting a few gloves on them..

He could have easily knocked out Lewis in his prime, Foreman too, easily.

I'd really like him to knock Lewis on his ass, but I'm not so sure he would.
He most definiately COULD, but Lewis did not have such a weak-ass chin as some people claim.
Lewis posesses the Tyson antidote; a devastating uppercut.
Even in his prime, Tyson was hurt several times by uppercuts, and some from fighters not even remotely in Lewis' league...
As we all know, Lennox had one of boxing's best uppercut, and that combined with the powerful jab, would always bother Tyson.

[Addison]

This is based on what, though?

Tyson has never fought a guy like Foreman, ever.

I guy who hits as hard as Foreman?

Foreman was a straight up, wide swinging, slower, power puncher.


What about that would Tyson not be able to handle?

[Addison]

I'd really like him to knock Lewis on his ass, but I'm not so sure he would.
He most definiately COULD, but Lewis did not have such a weak-ass chin as some people claim.
Lewis posesses the Tyson antidote; a devastating uppercut.
Even in his prime, Tyson was hurt several times by uppercuts, and some from fighters not even remotely in Lewis' league...
As we all know, Lennox had one of boxing's best uppercut, and that combined with the powerful jab, would always bother Tyson.

I see what you're saying..

I just think prime Tyson gets to these guys before they get to him.

[TheEvilSaint]

tyson's legend has been exaggerated to an extent. but he was definatly a legendary fighter. mike tyson is who people think of when they hear the word "boxing". he is known worldwide. we loved to watch him because of how he fought, not who he fought.

as for his ability, he was like no other HW in history. no1 had his combination of speed, power, and tight defense. on top of that, he had the ability to intimidate damn near everyone he ever met, let alone fought. speed, power, defense, and his daunting presence is what produced a career of fantastic and awe-inspiring knockouts. no1 in the history of this sport has had knockouts like mike tyson. he was brutality personified.

later in his career, his unpredictable behavior and disregard for rules and laws helped the media portray him as an uncontrollable madman. the ear-biting, the **** conviction, several prison sentences, his in-ring antics, and his behavior just added to our fascination of him. people will be intrested in mike tyson until they put him in the ground. our intrest in him stems from our hate, our love, our fascination, our fear, and our awe is what made him into the legend that he is now and forever will be.