Guys I’m so bored, did mike Tyson ever beat an ATG in their prime?

[Long jabber]

Larry holmes was the only atg he beat and a solid performance against tony tucker who i consider a hall of famer.

[Fanofreason]

Tyson is a lot like Oscar. Lost every big fight.

[redmish]

Tyson doesn't get enough credit for those two wars with Ruddock either.

They were both really good fights to watch too.

[QueensburyRules]

I’ve having a look at his record cause I’m bored af in lockdown and did he ever beat any ATG that were in their primes, cause looking at it he lost in the big time fights.

- -Cleaned up the giant sucking sound of Larry single belt holder Holmes.

Not Mikes fault Lar weren't an ATG.

[BangEM]

Michael Spinks would probably be the only one and Spinks was a light heavyweight - not a heavyweight. It's just basically like a heavyweight beating up Bivol. LMAO.

Ruddock was a career contender and he wasn't better than a guy like Dillian Whyte. And Holmes was past his prime apart from taking the fight on a month notice after being out of the ring for almost 2yrs.

Mike Tyson's overrated.

[F l i c k e r]

Unfortunately he didn't have an opportunity to face any all-time greats in his prime (or in their prime for that matter).

He came along right after Larry Holmes' title reign, however he did destroy the man who had ended that reign a few years prior. (Michael Spinks). Spinks wasn't an all-time great but he was undefeated going into the fight and Tyson essentially retired him. He also defeated Larry Holmes in 1988, and contrary to popular belief, Holmes wasn't completely shot at that point because he came back four years later to beat a top contender in Ray Mercer and lose competitively to a prime Evander Holyfield. In other words, it's impossible to be shot in 1988 but not in 1992

Tyson was also scheduled to fight Evander Holyfield in 1991 but he had to pull out with a rib injury and then he went to prison the following year.

Tyson did lose his biggest fights (Holyfield in '96 and '97) and Lennox Lewis in 2002 but his prime was long gone by then. Tyson's best years were 1986-1989 which was right after Larry Holmes and right before guys like Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Rid**** Bowe came on the scene. If Tyson were a few years older or younger then he would have had better competition.

Not at all. His prime was up until about 91, when he faced Ruddock and stopped him twice. Who was the "GGG" or "Margarito" etc. of the early 90s. "no one wanted to fight him" kind of deal.

Right before he went to jail.

[Combat Talk Radio]

No, he did not.

Larry Holmes was STILL prime.

Michael Spinks was the definition OF prime.

Both are ATGs because who they beat before Tyson walked through them.

[BangEM]

Larry Holmes was STILL prime.

Michael Spinks was the definition OF prime.

Both are ATGs because who they beat before Tyson walked through them.

Holmes was retired for almost 2yrs and took the fight on a month notice out of retirement.

Spinks was a light heavyweight ATG not a heavyweight ATG.

[Combat Talk Radio]

Holmes was retired for almost 2yrs and took the fight on a month notice out of retirement.

Spinks was a light heavyweight ATG not a heavyweight ATG.

Holmes: "at the end of the day", this is a guy who up to that point was dominating guys with ease until he got beat by another ATG, Michael Spinks. Then after losing to Tyson, walked through SIX DUDES in one year. One of them a prime Ray Mercer (who admittedly was 'eye test' at the time).

Spinks: the question was "did Mike Tyson ever beat an ATG in their prime?" It didn't ask about weight class. The answer is YES - Spinks counts and so does Holmes.

[BangEM]

Holmes: "at the end of the day", this is a guy who up to that point was dominating guys with ease until he got beat by another ATG, Michael Spinks. Then after losing to Tyson, walked through SIX DUDES in one year. One of them a prime Ray Mercer (who admittedly was 'eye test' at the time).

Spinks: the question was "did Mike Tyson ever beat an ATG in their prime?" It didn't ask about weight class. The answer is YES - Spinks counts and so does Holmes.

But Holmes came out of 2-yr retirement on a month notice. He wasn't even in shape for the fight. So it's a questionable win. Holmes was also 39.

Spinks wasn't an ATG at heavyweight. He was a career light heavyweight.

The ATGs in Tyson's era are Holyfield and Lennox (perhaps Bowe who I don't rate).