I'm still new to boxing and so when I look at Tyson's record, it seems that pretty much the only names I recognize, beat Mike. I figure I just must not know how tough some of the other guys were that he beat. Can you guys help me out?
You'll be doing well to find a great fighter that Tyson beat. And by that I mean great at the time. Holmes maybe? And Holmes was 39 when he fought him. Tyson - grossly overrated with some lost potential from prison. But no doubt when on the rise was exciting. Not at the real top level when against Lewis, Evander etc. though.
That's actually a fair point to consider, but having seen a lot of those guys, there was nothing that ever suggested they were on the legend path to being with.
No, I guess I'm not that interested in that. I'm more interested in the level of fighter they were at the time of the fight. I'm starting to think Tyson's resume is a bit inflated but I just wanted to put an educational discussion behind my suspicions.
He KO'd Berbick, Holmes, Spinks, Bruno and Williams before he was 23. These were all elite or A level fighters of their generation. He went ahead and KO'd Razor Ruddock twice, McNeely, Bruno (II) and Bruce Seldon before losing to Holyfield. Botha, Savarese, Brian Nielsen were also notable, top level opponents. Imagine you go against Michael Spinks(aged 32) who was a great undefeated champion and knock him out in 90 seconds, before your 22nd birthday, it's simply a stunning achievement. He didn't just beat them, he completely destroyed them on the ring. His career is certainly not exaggerated. 20 years later I doubt many people will recognize over 10 opponents of Klitschko.
during unification of the title he beat elites or borderline elites. during defences he beat a list of A grades, B- and 1 prime ATG "lineal". I don't count larry cos he was 37.
Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Michael Spinks and Larry Holmes were the best guys he faced. He beat Spinks and Holmes.
So his best win are over a guy who wont be a HW today and 39 years old guy with 2 years pause before fighting him ? Yeah he was very young, but and his peak end too early....
no holmes isn't. larry was obviously still a consummate boxer when he fought mike but and his sharpness visibly fell off after about 6 rounds, which is fatal when in the ring with mike. to be fair larry shouldn't really have got the title shot, he only got it in a "ali" way in repsect to his massive accomplishments which made you think "what if".
After Tyson, Holmes had another 14 years of outstanding career with 21 wins, 3 losses and noone before or after Tyson could knock him out. As such, him being 39 at the time doesn't change the fact that it was a spectacular win.