Boxing fans since the 80's, how popular was Mike Tyson at his peak?

He was barely even a serious fighter in the latter part of his career, yet he could fight absolutely anyone and bank millions solely because of his name. If he made a comeback tomorrow he'd probably break the PPV record. That's how big.

 

In a historical view Ali may be more famous however the younger generations will recognize Tyson more by far,not even Ali had his popularity ,Tyson is known world wide all over to this day...Ali did not have the media advantage either..Tyson has surpassed him!

Ali made an appearance in Dc comics fighting Superman...Tyson was on millions of tubes across the world in his own video game.

 

I strongly disagree with that. There was a time in the 70s when Ali was the most famous person in the world. Tyson was merely the most famous sportsman.

 

However there are more people on the planet today,Tyson transended the entire boxing industry and turned it over on its head,Ali was just basically famous for trash talking and his war/frazier disputes...Tyson was the hulk Hogan of boxing,and the most controversial athlete in history in and out of the ring.

Basically ask yourself this would ali be as popular today with his brash toung and fighting style?No,because many guys talk trash now and no one would want to see ali run around and not engage,back THEN it was looked like superior fighting.


Tyson would still be Tyson today.

 

I think Ali was far more controversial. Tyson had his fans, and at worse those who thought was a thug. Ali had his fans, and at worse those who wanted him dead.

Ali had a viewpoint that split a nation; everyone had an opinion on Ali, every sports fans and celebrity gossip fan had an opinion on Tyson.

 

I'd put Foreman pretty high on that list.

 

Tysson just had something about him. I don't fully understand it and probably never will.
The first time I saw a picture of him, I knew I was looking at someone beyond the ordinary. I had yet to see him fight and knew nothing about him but something just told me this guy was gonna be special.

As said, he had a great back story ( the whole Cus & the Kid thing) his meteoric rise to fame, his gladiatorial demeanour, the knockouts...it was exciting. New. Unique.
I doubt I'll experience anything quite like 'Tyson fever' ever again.

 

Trust me l was around for both and Ali was bigger in terms of fame. Anyone who could fight in Africa and Manilla and make the world stop and watch is huge. Not to mention the FOTC.

 

Streetfights/car wrecks/drugs/**** convictions/prison/etc..etc....you sure you want to say Ali was more controversial?War made Ali more famous than he would have been...Tyson made Tyson famous ,he made boxing popular again with just boxing,ali made boxing more famous because of his words...big difference.

 

All you're doing with your rambling is showing us how young you are. Yes, in his prime Tyson was famous but the sport itself declined after Ali and with it the fame that went with it. He'll for about 6-7 years Tyson fell off the radar which was why he was broke.

 

As a one off event boxing works and is lucrative, so yes will always have a place in culture. Also as you mention boxing has expanded since the 80s and does have its heroes in developing countries. And I am sure money is made off of that.

Unfortunately though you exaggerate the popularity of Haye and Joshua. Both have their fans, and have had exposure, but neither can be compared in popularity to those at the top of the sport in the UK in the 70s and 80s.