Mike Tyson - Great Champ or Chump, how would you sum him up

[Thread Stealer]

So Tyson wants to come back for one more crack. I remember when he first came on the scene and he said there is no reason why he can't be the oldest heavyweight champion as well as the youngest. I don't think he should bother anymore but it would be great if he came back and cleaned up the heavyweight division once again.

it won't happen, but maybe they can stick him in there with some glass-chinned, smaller, scrubs and Mike can have a couple of more highlight reel KOs.

[porlie]

To me tyson was from 86 to 89 argubly the greatest HW that ever lived.
He unified the titles fought and beat everyone that he faced in those years, to me you cant fault what he achieved in those years and the way he achieved it, he was always exciting to watch.

[TheGreatA]

Overrated by some and underrated by some.

Tyson's reign was dominant but he was derailed early by Douglas. His championship reign lasted 3½ years, a bit shorter than most other champions and his opposition wasn't very tough either.

His failed return to boxing after his prison stint and the fact that he never beat anyone better than a Ruddock or a Tucker takes him out of the top 10 for me but he is a solid top 15 or atleast top 20 heavyweight IMO.

He has beaten solid, perhaps underrated competition.

[-CANE-]

I should have made the poll multiple choice as I think he falls under quite a few categories.

Top 10 Heavyweight
Lacked Heart
Great Fighter that lacked mental toughness
Bully
5 round fighter

All of the above apply to Tyson to a certain degree.

[Thread Stealer]

tyson pre-prison had good stamina and was no 5 round fighter.

if anyone who has boxed or sparred with guys with the height and reach advantage as tyson's opponents had, and had to fight the style that tyson did, you would see the ridiculous amount of energy that is required to succeed.

[TheGreatA]

Even in his prime Tyson had trouble concentrating on doing all of the defensive movements, combinations and techniques for more than 5-6 rounds. He didn't get many KO's after the first 5 or 6 rounds either.

But boxers were usually so spent after surviving the first few rounds with Tyson he would just outbox/outwork you to his way to an easy decision.

[-CANE-]

tyson pre-prison had good stamina and was no 5 round fighter.

if anyone who has boxed or sparred with guys with the height and reach advantage as tyson's opponents had, and had to fight the style that tyson did, you would see the ridiculous amount of energy that is required to succeed.

Not questioning his stamina but it's as exactly as Manchine said below your post it was his concentration levels that only enabled him to be really dangerous for about 5 rounds not his stamina. So that's what I meant by 5 round fighter.

[pelonxsoldier28]

I Like Iron Mike, He Is One Of My Fav Fighters. He Had A Good,crazy,weir Career. He'll Go Down In History As One Of The Greatest Heavyweights, Wheather You Like Him Or Not

[Dorian]

[Mike Tyson77]

I should have made the poll multiple choice as I think he falls under quite a few categories.

Top 10 Heavyweight
Lacked Heart
Great Fighter that lacked mental toughness
Bully
5 round fighter

All of the above apply to Tyson to a certain degree.

LOL! You should watch his fights with Tucker and Ruddock, they went just a little longer than 5.