Not Only Does Mike Tyson Not Belong As A Top Ten HW, He's Not Even Close

[SlySlickSmooth]

I think if we are talking prime versions, Tyson loses to :

Holyfield
Lewis
Ali
Frazier
Louis
Holmes
Johnson

I think prime for prime, Tyson would give Louis and Frazier a hell of a time.. I think Louis would possibly be a better choice for Tyson than Frazier. On the other hand, Tyson would be punching with two while Frazier would be left hand fancy.

[Dodger07]

In no particular order:

Ali
Louis
Foreman
Holmes
Lewis
Johnson
Marciano
Frazier
Holyfield
Dempsey

All greater imo. After that the 2nd tier includes (in no particular order):

Tyson
Jeffries
Wlad
Norton
Liston
Bowe
Wills
Jersey Joe
Ezzard
Patterson

[ea22]

People rank him not based on his achievements, but on his skills(not saying that is right). Prime Tyson gives any top heavyweight problems, and that's why people overrate him in comparison with his achievements.

[Nay_Sayer]

Prime Vitali would beat prime Tyson.

Just like how Prime Vitali beat Prime Chris Byrd?

[Derranged]

Unfortunately his career was derailed by his own mental breakdown. I can't say he's a top ten either.

[bojangles1987]

People forget prime Tyson's speed, defense, and power. Holyfield wouldn't have lasted with Tyson. He'd be like Spinks all dazed and dumb. He's not best ever due to longevity but definitely top 10 atg.

If past prime Holyfield could handle past prime Tyson comfortably, I have zero doubt in my mind a prime Holyfield should be favored against prime Tyson.

[johnm is...]

No problem at all with Tyson outside the top 10.

[LacedUp]

I think it's always a tough call to make a top ten, and very respectable, great champions are often omitted from lists.

However, to say that Tyson "is not even close" is a bit of a stretch to me. He's pretty close to being in the top 10 for me. As in #11-#13

[Larry the boss]

Naw he is not top 10

[LacedUp]

If past prime Holyfield could handle past prime Tyson comfortably, I have zero doubt in my mind a prime Holyfield should be favored against prime Tyson.

I really don't see how you can say that.

Past prime Holyfield was much better than past prime Tyson who had really looked bad ever since his comeback. Anyone remember him kind of struggling with Buster Mathis Jr? He didn't train hard at all, smoked weed and did cocain all the time, hung out with pimps, had babies with hookers, was going broke, had legal problems with Don King and his management team, was in jail multiple times, was accused of rape 5 times etc etc.

The man was a living mess. If we knew all that stuff then, there's no way he would have been favourite for the Holyfield fight. But people were so into the idea of Iron Mike that they thought he was still the same as he was in the late 80s.

I think Tyson would've beaten Holyfield in his prime.