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

[Unsuspected]

I’m sure narcissist Atlas considers himself “great” though. In the last few years he’s worked very hard at stripping away any credibility he has left.

[Alan Smithee]

Tyson was obviously a beast but could not fight backing up. He never really had to until Buster D. If anyone hasn't seen it, check out his fight with James "quick" Tillis. Obviously Tyson won but two judges had it 6 rounds to 4. After that fight, some very shrewd matchmaking. Tyson will go down as an all time great but like Larry Holmes, the resume is a little thin compared to some of their predecessors.

[Slimpack]

Mike Tyson has the power, speed and skills to be regarded as an elite boxer of his generation. In fact, if Tyson is put against the top boxers of any generation, he would compete well and excel. So what the hell is Atlas talking about? Besides, it is generally believed that Tyson has passed his prime when he fought Holifield and Lennox.

[Teetotaler69]

You are absolutely right but that was more than 40 years ago. Mike Tyson has since both apologized and repented personally to him for it. So now is the time for Atlas to let bygones be bygones.

The man is damn near 70 years old for heaven's sake. Is he going to carry this grudge around with him forever? Mike Tyson success inside of the professional boxing ring without him.

Has left him feeling both betrayed, brokenhearted, jealous and bitter.

Lmfao pathetic. How tf you gonna forgive someone touching your 11 year old daughter? Pathetic pedo

[low blows]

Tyson had a great run but when he fought the elite in Holyfield and Lennox, he got beat. This brings him down a few notches, if he beat one of these, he'd be right up there.

Against Lennox he was way past his best buy date but Holyfield while past his best skills wise I don't think he was past his best athletically. I remember going to bar to watch his fight against Botha and knew when Botha was cuffing him around with basic combinations he would never be anything like he was in the 80's again.

Tyson was going to be always overrated as athletically he was at another level and that type of American athlete doesn't generally box anymore unless the fail at the big 4 sports. As good as he was I don't think he would be more than a fringe contender these days as his lack of height and reach would be exploited by a Fury type or in the near past Vitali.

[Sparked_26]

I liked the line that to be in a fight you have to overcome something.

Not so much in here but certainly amongst casuals Tyson is usually a mythical, unbeatable beast in his prime.

Even if he absolutely peaked at 23 let's say if he was able to keep that going longer he's just not gonna keep crushing everyone forever. Everyone gets tested.

He had a bully type quality to him.

The most heart he showed was getting beaten down by Lewis.

[steptwome]

Teddy Atlas will forever put an asterik on Mike Tyson accomplishments, especially when he had to pull a gun on Tyson for "alleged" advances on his daughter. This is personal and "rightfully" so.

[KingDynasty]

Neither is the guy in your avatar. In fact, I rate Tyson over him by quite a bit.

He will become undisputed king in February. What about your loser life?

[hugh grant]

Mike was great. He was the man to beat, they were building up the boxer to do it with Holyfield and Lewis touted to clash head on with Tyson. But jail beat Tyson as well as other things maybe like not enough dedication.
BUt its a question of how great. His resume might not be the best but at his best he beats most heavyweights. So id put Tyson top 15, that's great isn't it?

[Murray Kelm]

I hope Mike apologized to Teddy's niece and not just Teddy, I don't know the whole story, but it was kind of a ****y move by Cus not to stand behind the girl.