The Best Heavyweight Since Ali?

I was a huge Mercer fan, but Lewis was definitely having one of his many off nights. Same thing with Rahman.

 

Define "early" Tyson.

 

35 ppl here dksab.

 

I don't call a comfortable UD win, "struggling" and Lewis had already clearly beaten a very slightly younger Holyfield (despite the poor decision) so it seems a weak point to make. Besides, Holyfield didn't look too old in either bout.

Holmes was obviously a much better Boxer than Rahman and McCall; with the edge over Mercer, as well, but it would be daft to say that either Rahman or McCall ever gave Lewis "fits". They didn't. They delivered one good punch, leading to the end of the fight and a loss for Lewis. Both got well-beaten in the respective rematches, with Lewis making McCall blub his way out of fighting anymore and Rahman being comprehensively outboxed before getting starched.

Despite Mercer's form being a bit up-and-down, he could be a great competitor and had a great night against Lewis but was ultimately handled.

Holmes was a great Boxer and Champion but it's not as though he didn't have close fights and bad nights himself, is it?

 

Spinks Holmes Thomas,from berbick till b4 Bruno.
Fast ferocious,awesome body and head attack,lethal power in both hands,awesome defence and a solid chin,rapid hand speed and feared with good reason

 

Some of you guys are judging by who had the best career post Ali, not who was the best at their PEAK.

MIKE TYSON is easily the best Heavyweight since the 1980's, not because he had the best career or best wins but because at his peak he was an amazing Heavyweight machine who had fantastic speed, power, footwork plus had a great defence too.

By the time the 90's rolled around he was already on the slide mainly because his personal life had gone to **** and mental state deteriorated to the point he didn't train with the same vigour, dedication and focus he had between 1985-1988.

The Tyson that beat Spinks in 1 rd would have beaten Lewis, Holyfield, Bowe, Holmes and Klitschko brothers at their respective peaks.

 

very strongly disagree with some,
LL always whoops Tyson as does vit klit. i'll give you holy and bowe but bowe would had been a 50/50.

Tyson was never what people claim, every fighters legend grow dramatically with time. Tyson was vicious early on but once he fought anyone that fought back and lasted through the 4th round he found many troubles..

fyi: I loved Tyson too but the truth is the truth. with his skills he could had been the best of his era pretty easily, too bad he never had the head for it

 

Vitlai who was body shotted from pillar to post against pillow puff puncher Chisora beats Prime Tyson?
The same Vitali who couldn't put a glove on Byrd against the ropes:rofl

 

The fact you have said he could have been the best pretty easily proves the previous comment to be correct.he was the best when he peaked,he would have been better had he continued to mature instead of deteriorating.people forget how young Tyson was,he was 18 and the best heavyweight in the world,that's ****ing scary,he was still a boy,he should have grew stronger but he declined through lifestyle choices,at the age of 18-20 he would be favourite to beat almost every heavyweight that ever lived,put that into perspective

 

Again you're making the mistake of judging Tyson from 1989 onwards when he had already lost his **** mentally and was going downhill fast.

Tyson would have annihilated Lewis in 1988 if they'd fought then.

Even the totally shot Tyson of 2002 out jabbed and wobbled Lewis twice in the 1st round of their fight, now imagine what a peak Tyson who could go 12 rds would have done to Lewis.

 

That's just it, though - If you consider Tyson's peak to be during a period when he perhaps faced his least challenging opposition, how can it be confidently stated that he would have beaten a peak Lewis, Holyfield, Bowe or Holmes? As ferocious as he was back then, we never saw Tyson face the equivalent of anyone like that during '85-'88.

 

I cant see that, I followed Tyson from the Olympic trials (lost) throughout his career. he had the physical abilities but never had the mental ability which makes him NOT the best of his era.

not sure he beats bowe or any version of HW holy.

are you guys talking who had the best career or who is the best h2h ?

 

Arguments could be made for Lennox, Holmes, Tyson or Holyfield. They're an interchangeable 4 depending on your criteria and how you view their match ups going in a prime vs prime scenario.

Lewis
Holyfield
Tyson
Holmes

Is my list

 

Lewis for me, as he had the best career, and I think that he's probably the most dangerous H2H.

 

Lennox Lewis..

H2H, I say Lewis is the greatest HW ever..