Is Mike Tyson The Most Popular Boxer Ever?

[Sin City]

Tyson is the most infamous. Ali is the most famous. Just think about it this way, who is most likely to be put in a history book?

That's from the view of our era though. Tell me when did Ali ever make the whole U.S. of A stop what they where doing and watch him fight? Joe Louis did that in his rematch vs Max Schmelling. Joe Louis was more of a civil rights leader, though he didn't try to be, then Ali was too. He had done what hadn't been possible since Jack Johnson so he had all of black America on his side too.

If you talk about this generation then the name Tyson is far more recognizable of course.. but that doesn't make him the most popular of "all time".

[them_apples]

Tyson is the most famous boxer, everyone - especailly the younger generation knows who he is. Most women even know who he is..I know the odd person who doesn't know who Ali is.

[Dice]

I guess thats a better way to reword, famous or known as opposed to popular cuz I know people who know who Mike is and cant stand him

[crold1]

Most popular ever?

F
to
the
NO!

Tyson's popularity doesn't sniff Ali (70 MILLION tuned in for the Lyle fight alone) and Louis and Dempsey were bigger as well.

Of the bunch, Louis was probably the biggest for the longest time, most popular in his prime, and most culturally impactful in both Boxing and sports general. No Louis=No Jackie Robinson; Robinson himself acknowledged as much. Nothing seems as big from distance as it does in the time it's lived, but when Jesse Jackson delivers your eulogy and your funeral is treated like head of state stuff in the news, you KNOW you were big.