Is Mike Tyson one of the most overrated fighters ever?

[Mr Objecitivity]

"Overrated", yes. No one could ever live up to that kind of legend so he's overrated in a literal sense. But, that doesn't mean he wasn't a damn good fighter and, I think his pre-prison fights are some of the most viscerally exciting I've ever watched. He didn't get to be an icon by accident.

If he was overrated, why hasn't there been a single boxer who's close to 5'10 in height and close to 71 inch in reach at the very least equalled Mike Tyson's heavyweight accomplishment, if not surpassed them since Tyson came to the scene?

So no, Mike Tyson isn't 'overrated' when taking into consideration that this little midget probably shouldn't have even competed at heavyweight. The idea that because a 5'10 guy's accomplishment isn't as good as a 6'6 giant heavyweight's accomplishment makes the 5'10 boxer 'overrated' is quiet frankly, extremely absurd, bizarre and ludicrous. It's like saying a guy who weighs 150 pounds that can lift more weight than anybody his own size is overrated because he isn't able to lift more weight than someone that is 300 pounds that outweighs him by more than 100 pounds. Get the drift?

[Redd Foxx]

If he was overrated, why hasn't there been a single boxer who's close to 5'10 in height and close to 71 inch in reach at the very least equalled Mike Tyson's heavyweight accomplishment, if not surpassed them since Tyson came to the scene?

So no, Mike Tyson isn't 'overrated' when taking into consideration that this little midget probably shouldn't have even competed at heavyweight. The idea that because a 5'10 guy's accomplishment isn't as good as a 6'6 giant heavyweight's accomplishment makes the 5'10 boxer 'overrated' is quiet frankly, extremely absurd, bizarre and ludicrous. It's like saying a guy who weighs 150 pounds that can lift more weight than anybody his own size is overrated because he isn't able to lift more weight than someone that is 300 pounds that outweighs him by more than 100 pounds. Get the drift?

You don't understand what the literal meaning of the term "overrated" is. It's as simple as that. I have a few Mike Tyson T-shirts and people always want to talk about boxing when I wear them. The public thinks that Tyson was one of the 2 greatest boxers of all time. He's not. So, by definition he is overrated by the public. That doesn't mean he wasn't a really great boxer. Just that he can never live up to the legend.

[Mr Objecitivity]

You don't understand what the literal meaning of the term "overrated" is. It's as simple as that. I have a few Mike Tyson T-shirts and people always want to talk about boxing when I wear them. The public thinks that Tyson was one of the 2 greatest boxers of all time. He's not. So, by definition he is overrated by the public. That doesn't mean he wasn't a really great boxer. Just that he can never live up to the legend.

I see what you mean. However, using this standard, you could argue any boxer is 'overrated'. Anybody could 'overrate' their favorite boxer by claiming that they have superhuman capabilities (when they obviously don't). I actually think Mike Tyson is more underrated than overrated. Ask yourself whether Mike Tyson's accomplishments and feats at heavyweight boxing was special / unique / distinctive or not? The answer is obviously a bloody yes!

Until another boxer of Mike Tyson's size at the very least equals his accomplishments and feats at modern heavyweight boxing, then I simply can't classify Mike Tyson as someone that is 'overrated'.

[Redd Foxx]

I see what you mean. However, using this standard, you could argue any boxer is 'overrated'.

Yes, which goes back to the point of my first post which is, sure, you can say he was overrated, that Ali was, etc. But, that doesn't mean they weren't great or that they didn't deserve that legend status by becoming a social phenomena.

[djtmal]

Iron Mike overrated? Definitely not.

Underachiever possibly, but definitely not overrated.

Unifed Undisputed Heavyweight Champ...sent prime Mike Spinks into retirement...

Overrated guys don't accomplish stuff like that

[Mr Objecitivity]

Yes, which goes back to the point of my first post which is, sure, you can say he was overrated, that Ali was, etc. But, that doesn't mean they weren't great or that they didn't deserve that legend status by becoming a social phenomena.

Cool! I believe we've come to an agreement.

[NYG]

Guy had the height of a MW and he was crushing guys that were 6'4 and bigger. If anything, he doesnt get the credit he deserves. With Cus and with Rooney, nobody was beating him, don't give a damn who you are. He lost his way and that was it. Doesnt change the fact that he was excellent and nobody can touch him in his prime

[A.K]

Yeah casuals will lose it if you say mike Tyson is overated and lost all his big fights.

[TonyGe]

No he isn't. Before Cus died he was a terror..

[TonyGe]

Guy had the height of a MW and he was crushing guys that were 6'4 and bigger. If anything, he doesnt get the credit he deserves. With Cus and with Rooney, nobody was beating him, don't give a damn who you are. He lost his way and that was it. Doesnt change the fact that he was excellent and nobody can touch him in his prime

I agree. I didn't see your post and I posted the same thing. You said it better though.