ESPN ripping Tyson's induction

[Tiozzo]

Skip Bayless knows as much boxing as fish know how to fly

[G Doggy Dog]

every professional's record consists of "nobodies"



i loved how blondie got owned ........ mike tyson left a stamp on boxing and is one of the most famour boxers in history. hard to beat that

[Shabba Rank$]

Please.

Do not take boxing opinions from ESfuckinPN seriously.

[Chups]

Competition was mediocre but Tyson is still great.

[Tiozzo]

Nearly every notable heavyweight ever has been inducted to the IBHOF so I don't see why Tyson should be an exception.

Jack Sharkey, Max Schmeling, Harry Wills, Peter Jackson, Sam McVea, Joe Jeannette, Jim Corbett, Jess Willard even.

yes, I was thinking more about the modern era, but you're right, it almost looks like the HW crown is an automatic pass for the HOF when you see some of those names in there...

[dde91]

Tyson deserves to be in the HOF. YOUNGEST HW CHAMP OF ALL TIME. not just a boxing icon but a INTERNATIONAL SPORTS ICON and will be known forever right behind Ali. A lot of Fighters Tyson beat easily had good careers after (except Ruddock) but Just because Tyson wasted them easily they were seen as not so good fighters. If Tyson wasn't around fighters like Bruno and Ruddock would have been better fighters then they were and Spinks could of probably won a couple more fights against softer punching opposition. And Holmes wouldn't have had that TKO loss and would have been known as one of the great fighters to fight past prime up there with Foreman, Archie Moore since he went the distance with a Prime Holyfield and Beat a young undefeated Mercer. So Tyson Belongs up there and is a TOP 50 ATG to me.

[Tiozzo]

Tyson deserves to be in the HOF. YOUNGEST HW CHAMP OF ALL TIME. not just a boxing icon but a INTERNATIONAL SPORTS ICON and will be known forever right behind Ali. A lot of Fighters Tyson beat easily had good careers after (except Ruddock) but Just because Tyson wasted them easily they were seen as not so good fighters. If Tyson wasn't around fighters like Bruno and Ruddock would have been better fighters then they were and Spinks could of probably won a couple more fights against softer punching opposition. And Holmes wouldn't have had that TKO loss and would have been known as one of the great fighters to fight past prime up there with Foreman, Archie Moore since he went the distance with a Prime Holyfield and Beat a young undefeated Mercer. So Tyson Belongs up there and is a TOP 50 ATG to me.

I never took the time to list my own top 50 ATG, but I'm sure Tyson wouldn't be in it

[Plaster...Sad.]

Tyson gets my vote for sure.

[Doc Holliday]

green k sent

[CubanGuyNYC]

I thought they went a little hard on him.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/box...ory?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 ?

Excellent post, my friend...very well articulated. I only take issue with the highlighted portion of your argument. Tyson does indeed have a HOF resume, precisely for the reasons you described. Quality of opposition is much more relevant when you're trying to gauge a fighter's place among the all-time greats.

As several posters have already mentioned, Mike Tyson was better than many heavyweights already in the HOF. I would argue anywhere, anytime that Tyson, on his best day, might have beaten any heavyweight who ever walked the face of the earth. That's not to say that he was better than the best -- he possibly doesn't crack the top ten all-time greatest heavyweights list -- but he posed a terrible threat to any legendary heavyweight champion.

Regardless of his actions outside the ring, and even some inside (biting off a piece of Holyfield's ear), it would be laughable to exclude Mike Tyson from the International Boxing hall of Fame.