ESPN ripping Tyson's induction

[Tiozzo]

I thought they went a little hard on him.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=5895427

They acted like he never ever beat anyone of note or prime.

Although it is true that he has no great wins over great fighters near their prime, he has many quality wins over solid fighters and former champions.

Random points in Tyson's favor :

- he is an icon, a legend forever in the sport
- youngest HW champ ever
- unified all 3 titles
- destroyed most people he faced in his prime (not beat, destroyed)
- 9 defenses
- lineal champion

Tyson may not have a HOFer resume, but he had so much impact on the sport that his icon status coupled to his borderline resume gives him a pass in my book. I would compare his record to the one of Wlad K. actually. Solid resume, no great wins. Don't you think Wlad will deserve to enter to HOF one day ?

Thoughts ?

[mariobrotherpr]

They were "nobodies" because he made them look like nobodies.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

Hes there more for his impact than his career imo. Ask any idiot about boxing and hes probably the first name they'd mention.

I think Naz shouldve been included as well though for similar reasons.

[Tiozzo]

Hes there more for his impact than his career imo. Ask any idiot about boxing and hes probably the first name they'd mention.

I think Naz shouldve been included as well though for similar reasons.

yes, Naz will probably make it into the HOF for similar reasons

[Tiozzo]

They were "nobodies" because he made them look like nobodies.

in the video, they are laughing at his resume naming the guys we don't know, but come on, people like Ruddock, Bruno, Thomas, those were good fighters, not bums, and Tyson deserves some credit for beating those guys

I would go as far as saying he deserves some credit for beating Holmes and Spinks

the fact that he knocked them out, that Holmes gave a tough fight to Holyfield 4 years after losing to Tyson, and that he blasted undefeated Spinks who had been inactive only for a year

[chav]

i didnt watch the interview but like everything mike tyson, he draws contraversy and so does his name.

the man is a boxing legend and deserves his place in the hall of fame. slate his competition like the klitschkos but the man was a pure entertainer and knew how to put bums on seats

for all his wrongs i still think he deserves to be there. boxing would have been a lot poorer if Tyson had never been a part of it's history

[Cash Cow]

They were "nobodies" because he made them look like nobodies.

theyve mustve forgot!!

[Carpe Diem]

BSPN suck.

[TheGreatA]

Tyson deserved it. Worse heavyweights than him have been inducted.

[mariobrotherpr]

in the video, they are laughing at his resume naming the guys we don't know, but come on, people like Ruddock, Bruno, Thomas, those were good fighters, not bums, and Tyson deserves some credit for beating those guys

I would go as far as saying he deserves some credit for beating Holmes and Spinks

the fact that he knocked them out, that Holmes gave a tough fight to Holyfield 4 years after losing to Tyson, and that he blasted undefeated Spinks who had been inactive only for a year

Old timers will always find a way to say "their time" was better. That includes their celebrities, movies, sportsmen, music, etc.

We live in a world dominated by the Baby Boomer generation. Guess what will always be better?