Both. By many he's over rated by some he's under rated. He was the best heavyweight for a brief span of 4 or 5 years. He dominated a weak era of big men but blew through the competitive landscape like no one has done before or since. In his prime, probably one of the best heavyweight boxers ever. But his promotional issues and out of the ring lifestyle hindered the best years of his career and cut it dramatically short. He never reached the full scope of his potential unfortunately
Seriously underrated on here. Think the problem is his prime was so short its understandible that hes not rated how he should be. Just a guy in his prime that seriously went off the rails...for whatever the reasons. I also disagree that it was a weak era he dominated. One of the biggest myths out there for me. It was a deep division...one that the guys in it could seriously fight. If you go back and watch the fights outwith tyson...they could do it all. Box on the move. All had great jabs. Could take punches. Could fight or box. Could move round the ring well. Had great punch variety. Good head movement. Good boxing iqs. Etc The only problem and the main reason its continually called a weak era is cause when tyson came through there really wasnt a dominant champ at the time. Didnt mean the guys in the division couldnt fight tho...they just couldnt deal with tyson.
Underrated badly. One of the Greatest HW's ever. Sadly Mike was self destructive and rest is history Prime Tyson was animal,destructive machine with speed and wanted to hurt you badly. Soon after Tyson won the title,he stopped training and everybody knows what happened. sadly haters claim it was same Tyson against Douglas,Holyfield etc.. Tyson was shadow of himself after winning the title. it's amazing how talented Tyson was. Barely even training and still was near the top. not training,banging girls 24/7 doing coke and enjoying life. meanwhile Douglas,Holyfield etc were training hard.still Tyson was finding success. i take Prime Mike over almost anybody in history of boxing. I believe what my eyes tell me. Sadly so many haters etc.. refuse to believe in their own eyes.claim it was same Tyson whole career. It's just ridiculous. But i don't care those opinions. Again,i believe what i see with my own eyes.
Yes.they say it was weak because Tyson was so dominating. Then Buster happened and haters got their fuel. They claim it was the same Tyson. One of the most stupidest things i have ever heard. Of course it's Tyson fault for not preparing. But so many people are just ******. No point arguing with them.
Anyway you cut it, Tyson was amazing. Just so great to watch on his way up as well as pretty entertaining on his way down. Would be a danger to any hw, may not win but he surely could and lightning quick as well.
He was pretty great in his day, but he is often overrated. A lot of people say he was the best heavyweight ever, but I'm inclined to think he was about the tenth best, and Holyfield was better.
The way I see it Tyson was great but for a short period. In his prime very few in history could live with his combination of power, speed and technique (plus a good chin). but his peak was short for various reasons. Without question he was ATG level.
Maybe not a incredibly weak era....they could all box, but it lacked the kind of immense talent and personalities that made the Heavyweight eras in the past a mainstream sport. Guys like Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Louis, Marciano, etc.
Tbf that ali, frazier, foremann era was pretty much the golden era of the heavyweight division. Certainly hasnt ever been as good as that since...and likely never will be. But taking that one out...you,ll struggle to find a deeper era since. Even the 90,s you had 4 or 5 quality heavyweights with the rest pretty much average. In the eighties you could name 15 that could all fight. Pretty sure people that claim it was a weak division...never really seen them fight all that much. Tyson pretty much made them "the weak era." The truth is there was nothing weak about it. We,re all skilled fighters in their own right.
Agreed. Tyson was unfortunately locked up during his prime years when we saw a resurgence of the heavyweight division with guys like Bose, Holyfield and Tua. The mid to late 80s weren't as talent rich as the golden era or the early to mid 90s. I don't think Tysons reign was during the weakest era, but it definitely wasn't the toughest
you are right, tyson himself said he peaked at the berbick fight but even then he had that std problem in that fight and was in pain. but i think his best performance was in the ribalta fight, that tyson would have possibly dominated any other heavyweight in history.
In his prime he was the boxer of all time no question, not even 6 foot and he was a beast, his ferocity and anger inside the ring was something never seen before, he came in with intent to hurt his opponents, he had the perfect punching technique, his hooks were a thing of beauty. One of the most powerful punchers ever, great footwork, his upper body movement was the best ever, speed, combinations, head movement, defense, aggression, he had everything and he was damn incredible at everything, prime Tyson would beat anyone in history of combat sports.