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I have compiled a list of Mike Tyson's toughest opponents, from bottom to top. This is based on how good the boxer was at the time he faced Mike, not their prime.
10. 2020 - Roy Jones Jr - Draw - Roy Jones JR is an ATG, so watching him here with two busted knees was sad to see, though he still outboxed Mike at times of the back foot, and it was clear to see that Tyson is still somewhere near his prime, even now. Fair draw.
9. Donavan Ruddock (2) 1991 - Tyson edges a close decision win in a good fight with big punching journeyman Razor Ruddock. One of his best wins.
8. Michael Spinks - 1988 - Tyson blasted out Spinks, best known for his LHW reign two divisions down. He didn't have any tools that could pose a powerful HW any real threat, and as most pundits predicted, it didn't make it out of the first round. Still, he took an unbeaten record and that deserves some credit.
7. Larry Holmes - 1988 - Form coming into the fight W0 L2. Tyson pounced on Holmes as he was coming off two losses, low on confidence, and past his best. He took advantage to add a great HW to his record, just as Holmes did to Ali.
6. Kevin McBride - 2005 - Tyson couldn't cope with the bigger, stronger man. Tyson was a huge favorite, but pundits didn't factor in McBride coming into the fight off three fantastic wins. Beating Lenzie Morgan, Marcus Rhode, and Kevin Montiy. Tyson was splattered in 6.
5. Danny Williams - 2004 - The winner would have a shot at Vitali, so as expected we got to see a great version of Mike Tyson. In what was probably his best career performance, he just couldn't quite put away the Brixton Bomber. Tyson slightly buzzed Williams at one point in the first round, but Williams turned the tide, and Mike does what he always did, quit when the going gets tough.
4. Buster Douglas - 1990 - Tyson was unbeaten, and a massive betting favorite, but the allround basic skills of Douglas, and his good jab, bested Tyson all night, before knocking him out. Tyson had one moment when he scored a flash knockdown of Douglas, but it was a one-sided beat down aside from that. Judge Larry Rozadilla actually was watching the fight as he had it 88-82 for Douglas. Judge Ken Morita had it 87-86 for Tyson! LMFAO.
3. Evander Holyfield (1) 1996 - In the highly anticipated bout, Tyson won at most 1 round, before being stopped in the 11th
2. Evander Holyfield (2) 1997 - The rematch was more of the same. It was clear that Mike Tyson had bitten off more than he could chew.
1. Lennox Lewis - 2002 - The fight that happened ten years too late as Tyson faced faded master Lennox Lewis. He was badly beaten, but no like he would have been a decade earlier. He got off lightly.
Article by Martin T Roll.
10. 2020 - Roy Jones Jr - Draw - Roy Jones JR is an ATG, so watching him here with two busted knees was sad to see, though he still outboxed Mike at times of the back foot, and it was clear to see that Tyson is still somewhere near his prime, even now. Fair draw.
9. Donavan Ruddock (2) 1991 - Tyson edges a close decision win in a good fight with big punching journeyman Razor Ruddock. One of his best wins.
8. Michael Spinks - 1988 - Tyson blasted out Spinks, best known for his LHW reign two divisions down. He didn't have any tools that could pose a powerful HW any real threat, and as most pundits predicted, it didn't make it out of the first round. Still, he took an unbeaten record and that deserves some credit.
7. Larry Holmes - 1988 - Form coming into the fight W0 L2. Tyson pounced on Holmes as he was coming off two losses, low on confidence, and past his best. He took advantage to add a great HW to his record, just as Holmes did to Ali.
6. Kevin McBride - 2005 - Tyson couldn't cope with the bigger, stronger man. Tyson was a huge favorite, but pundits didn't factor in McBride coming into the fight off three fantastic wins. Beating Lenzie Morgan, Marcus Rhode, and Kevin Montiy. Tyson was splattered in 6.
5. Danny Williams - 2004 - The winner would have a shot at Vitali, so as expected we got to see a great version of Mike Tyson. In what was probably his best career performance, he just couldn't quite put away the Brixton Bomber. Tyson slightly buzzed Williams at one point in the first round, but Williams turned the tide, and Mike does what he always did, quit when the going gets tough.
4. Buster Douglas - 1990 - Tyson was unbeaten, and a massive betting favorite, but the allround basic skills of Douglas, and his good jab, bested Tyson all night, before knocking him out. Tyson had one moment when he scored a flash knockdown of Douglas, but it was a one-sided beat down aside from that. Judge Larry Rozadilla actually was watching the fight as he had it 88-82 for Douglas. Judge Ken Morita had it 87-86 for Tyson! LMFAO.
3. Evander Holyfield (1) 1996 - In the highly anticipated bout, Tyson won at most 1 round, before being stopped in the 11th
2. Evander Holyfield (2) 1997 - The rematch was more of the same. It was clear that Mike Tyson had bitten off more than he could chew.
1. Lennox Lewis - 2002 - The fight that happened ten years too late as Tyson faced faded master Lennox Lewis. He was badly beaten, but no like he would have been a decade earlier. He got off lightly.
Article by Martin T Roll.