Comments Thread For: Teddy Atlas on Mike Tyson: I Don't Know If He Was Ever Great

[Murray Kelm]

If Holyfield wasn't gassed to the gills ,I think his fight with Tyson would have been similar to the Spinks fight. Holyfield would not be strong enough in the clinch to push Tyson off, and Tyson would have got to him. I know people are going to say Tyson was also geared up, but he never failed a test, so he must be given the benefit of the doubt.

[James]

Everyone on planet earth knows who Mike Tyson is. People who are not following boxing. I think that speaks it self about his greatness.
It is not important what Teddy thinks, or what I think

[crimsonfalcon07]

Sounds kinda like saying Inoue wouldn't be great without beating Donaire with a shattered orbital in Rd 2, because he dominated everyone else. Sounds like a hater take to me. Tyson had plenty of big wins. Anyone can make up an arbitrary definition to exclude a particular fighter. Means nothing.

[unknowledgeablepugilist]

I didn't disagree about Spinks rematching holmes to prove it wasn't some "fluke" as people love to imply when a "dominate" heavyweight loses.

But that despite that fact, it doesn't change he (Spinks) didn't stick around to prove his mettle at heavyweight, he had an extremely short career (11 years 3 of which at heavy) and him retiring after the fight, you could argue devalues the win further.

As for Holmes being deserving of a title shot, he crushed some cans then got a fight with Mercer, who had done what exactly!? stopped the chinless boy wonder Tommy Morrison and had a competitive back and forth with the perpetual loser Bert Cooper, hardly an inspiring win for a shot at the belt...

I didn't say they weren't "great" but there is a big leap from "great" to "greatest", I don't know why you're struggling to comprehend that and why you feel i need to quantify greatness because your choice of words...

You could argue in hindsight the win is devalued due to variables not known at the time but that case could be made for anyone. Hindsight exists for a reason but at the time, which is how the fight should be assessed it was a marquee fight against a more than credible opponent.

A route to title does not need to inspire you but Holme's win over Mercer was credible because no matter you're thoughts on Mercer, he was a credible contender before and after the loss to Holmes.

My choice of words suited how structured the sentence, I never stated anyone was the greatest but considered amongst the greatest. Surely if you are going to play semantics you're comprehension should be a lot better. I only asked you to define greatness to see how you are measuring who is and who isn't great. Simply what metrics you use to come to the conclusion, surly it's not difficult to understand.

[MONGOOSE66]

I’ve said many times that an absolute peak Mike Tyson might’ve beaten any boxer that ever lived. But greatness isn’t just about one night, one shot; it’s about sustainability, and delivering under trying circumstances. Tyson looked breathtaking versus inferior opposition, but he came up short every time he faced a real test. You can make excuses, but there’s no denying it. And trust me, I’m a fan of his. There’s just no sense in pretending.

Im a fan too but no fangirl like most on here. He peaked early. I have no doubt about that in addition to his circus life. I’d pit Tyson from 20-23 against all heavy weights at the SAME AGE. Think about that. He’d kill them all. Only one who could whip him 2 out of 4 fights would be Holyfield. He was a bad Joe. Balls the size of an elephant but he might have been a cruiser at those ages. So might not of had a chance.

[elegua]

WTF is Teddy Atlas to get attention for?

[Tibburon245]

Tyson was great. T Atlas talks too much.

[crisantonio917]

Tyson was GREAT the minute you were removed from his camp bucktooth.. Sour g****s from a sour man...

[elegua]

The most impressive KO artist is Mike Tyson no matter what. After Tyson withdrawal the HW division has been a joke! A small guy that could knocked out easily much more bigger size rivals. Compare with the rest. Ali is not even close! Atlas is a ****** dude who had some arguments with Tyson back in the younger years and therefore he's still "crazy" about him. Poor guy...

[ShoulderRoll]

15-year-old Mike Tyson inappropriately touched Teddy’s 11-year-old niece so he pulled a gun on him.

Cus D’Amato kicked Teddy out of the team as a result.

That’s the background story in case anyone doesn’t know.