Mike Tyson:Overhyped?

My thoughts exactly. I've always thought him to be a guy that would annihilate most everybody that came before him and yet have enough skills, power, physical attributes to (in some cases, more than) hang with the elites that came after him. It isn't so much that I subscribe to the modern = better theory, only that I feel the group that consists of Holmes, Lewis, Tyson, Foreman, Frazier, Ali and to an extent, Holyfield, Bowe, Klitschko(s) are simply better fighters here based on the evidence available and what my eyes tell me.

 

I thought he was being overhyped up to his title fight and that Berbick might beat him, then he wiped out Berbick easily. At that point I knew he was for real, and the next 3-4 years were just as great. He didn't have longevity with his great skill and power, but at his best not many guys could beat Mike. His skills were so sharp and his reflexes so good, that when it started to slip just a little he got hit more, which almost shows how good defensively he was in his prime.

 

Fighters don't get bonus points for retiring at the right time.

 

Although Lennox and Rocky undoubtedly did retire at the right time.

 

I'm not so sure rocky did, I think he'd have beaten jackson and floyd. Probably could have actually enhanced his legacy by continuing 1 more year.

Lewis was clearly declining and in all likelihood would have lost a rematch with vitali so i'd say he got out at the right time, but even if he'd have fought vitali again in 04 and lost, I don't think it would reduce his legacy at all. Infact it might actually improve it because vitali would have been more fondly remembered today.

 

RockyJim or SuzieQ would know better, but I believe Rock was having some back ailments around the time he decided to hang it up. Marciano was the type who refused to have his conditioning at anything less than 100%. Grueling stuff.

As far as Lewis, some people will never get over the fact that there was no rematch. Ever.

 

That was an all-time great performance IMO, at least where skills and such is concerned. Berbick obviously wasn't 'great'. That, and Hearns TKO2 Cuevas are two of the filthiest showcases on film for me.

 

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ig28T7RtoA&feature=youtube_gdata_player"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ig28T7RtoA&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS_AQK2idU8&feature=youtube_gdata_player"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS_AQK2idU8&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/ame]

:deal

 

Disagree.

In general public perception, they get.

 

Luf thinks in logical terms.

General Public does not. I do think it has an impact and it's always better to go out on top if feasible. The potentially ugly last images you may have offered will fade in time, and eventually you're remembered for your greatness, but it still isn't pretty.

Tyson-Lewis is a fight that has haunted me for years. Not literally of course, but I despise it as a fan.

 

My point exactly.

 

In his late eighties prime,Tyson was definitely dominant,so his press was warranted. He did,indeed,get overhyped during the final part of his career,though. A lot of 'experts' who should have known better were making him favourite against Lennox Lewis in 2002 !!!!!!!

 

So you rank him at 11? atsch Hilarious really. Where do you rank Larry Holmes and Lennox Lewis who had comparable runs as champions and werent half as exciting...

 

:yep

I recall the 1st time i saw him was when he obliterated Marvis Frazier:yikes

I lost money on the Berbick fight as i was so sure that he'd get sorted out after about 5 rounds:smoke