I personally rank Tyson somewhere around 7/8. I just don't believe Tyson can be left out of top 10 if we follow a proper, consistent criteria. We can all come up with names and throw them in the top 10 to leave Tyson out. But does anyone have a reasonable argument to not have him in the top 10? If you don't have him in the top 10, can you list your top 10 (doesn't have to be in order) and what's your criteria?
I have him 7-9 currently with Holyfield/Frazier. I could see him as high as 5 without thinking he was being overrated and as low as 12 without feeling he was severely underrated. But anywhere 6-10 seem realistic and fair to me.
People sometimes hate on Tyson I think to sound knowledgeable about boxing. Most people weren’t around for anybody beyond Liston and Ali, unless you’re 80 years old and watch no other sport or entertainment other than boxing. Tyson is no lower than 10 and that’s hating. In his prime he destroys anyone outside of Liston, Ali, and Foreman and they’re debatable. If people want to think that there are 10 heavyweights better or greater than Tyson you’re tripping. He IS boxing just like Ali. Come on. Tyson realistically can only be behind Ali, Louis, maybe Foreman and (or) Holyfield IMO
The Holmes who beat Ali would have made Tyson look very bad and stopped him past round 10. And this is coming from a man who has gained a lot of appreciation for Mike since being here. Yes, Tyson is a top 10 heavyweight, but Foreman, Frazier, Louis, Holmes, Ali, Holyfield, Lewis all would have stopped him in their primes imo. Dream fight: Tyson vs. Norton. If Norton could sleeze his way through the first four rounds he would have decisioned Mike, and I don't care what era of Mike we're talking. Tyson wasn't Foreman, baby, plus he's been first to confess having no delusions about beating the great Larry Holmes.
Depends on criteria, I rank mine on résumé and Achievements at the weight with a few exceptions, (ie. Holyfield losing points due to Evan Field's and stuff). With that particular criteria, no I don't think Tyson is. But in my head 2 head list he does great Lewis (10-1) Foreman (9-2) Liston (8-3) Tyson (7-4) Ali (6-3-1) Bowe (6-3-1) Wlad (5-6) Holmes (4-7) Fraizer (4-7) Louis (3-8) Vitali (2-9) Holyfield (1-10) Lewis Loss to Liston Foreman Loss to Ali and Lewis Ali Loss to Bowe, Frazier, Wlad and Lewis, Draw with Bowe (can't pick) Liston Loss to Ali, Foreman and Bowe Bowe Loss to Lewis, Foreman, Tyson and Liston draw with Ali (can't pick) Holyfield loss to Lewis, Ali, Holmes, Bowe, Tyson, Wlad, Fraizer, Foreman, Louis and Liston Holmes Loss to Lewis, Tyson, Foreman, Ali, Bowe, Wlad, Vitali, Tyson Loss to Lewis, Foreman, Ali and Liston Louis Loss to Lewis, Foreman, Ali, Liston, Tyson, Bowe, Holmes, Frazier Frazier Loss to Lewis, Foreman, Liston, Wlad, Vitali, Tyson and Holmes Wlad Loss to Lewis, Bowe, Liston, Foreman, Tyson, Louis, Vitali Loss to Lewis, Bowe, Liston, Foreman, Tyson, Louis, Wlad, Ali, Holyfield,
1) Ali 2) Louis 3) Holmes 4) Foreman 5) This content is protected 6) This content is protected 7) Holyfield 8) Tyson 9) Lewis 10) Liston
Lewis is a great fighter, but to me he didn't really start becoming that until relatively late in his career. I honestly think the Holyfield who stopped Tyson would have knocked LL out. Just my opinion.
You could argue 8,9 and 10, On there another hand he lost his legacy fights badly and was upset by Douglas. A match with Witherspoon in 1987 would have been his best win....it never happened thanks to Don King. Its too bad Tucker hurt his hand so early when they fought, that would have shown a lot too. Just outside the top ten for me. Put Tyson in there with a mere top ten contender to fringe level contender type and he might be the best ever at stopping him early.