Mike Tyson's Place in History

[ProBox1]

How does one place Mike Tyson in perspective as a fighter? There are fighters that most pundits agree on their greatness. Ali and Louis are unanimously considered great fighters, the only debate we have is who was the greater? Then there are fighters where mythology often takes precedence since their days have long past and there are very little films to observe. Jack Dempsey and Jack Johnson are two fighters where myth and written accounts account for our perspective since most, if not, all of the eyewitnesses are dead. Most boxing fans in the early 20th century read about the exploits of these fighters or in the case of Dempsey, listen on radio. Imagination plays a role in their perception and those perceptions have been handed down to us in its original form. The story of Jack Dempsey and Jack Johnson read more like ancient classics than a sport story.

Then there are fighters who leaves us not sure and hoping that history will unravel some of the questions. Mike Tyson is one of those fighters and Roy Jones, Jr. is another. For both men leave as many questions as answers, when discussing their greatness. For Mike Tyson, his early career was a history of destruction as he left nothing standing in his path. The height of Tyson career was his 91-second destruction of Michael Spinks, then the second best heavyweight in the world. At the age of 22, Tyson reached his high point and from there, his career unraveled in a series of off court adventures and misconduct to go along with an increase disappointing ring career that left us unfulfilled. [details]

[onikami]

At his height Tyson was untouchable. The man. The only reason he has doubters is simply because he has been unable to conduct his personal life in a professional manner. Thats the only reason.

Ali, with all his running around the ring, would not have been able to stand toe to toe with Tyson.

[QueenCity]

Just from before the **** conviction I would say he is one of the top 25 all time heavyweights. But more than that he's a guy thats always gonna be remembered.