Prime Tyson is very underrated

I think being around while it was happening give those posters a certain bias they are unable to shake. Every generation remembers their teen years more fondly than anything that comes after. Memories made during this time are used to build a persons identity. When people are told that their childhood memories aren't actually as great as they remember them to be they are unable to accept it because they are being told their self made identity is wrong.

History will always look at the current era in a better light than we see it now because they won't be experience all the shortcoming of the second rate fighters that we are watching right now as all they will be remembering are the highlights of the era.

 

Very possible. I guess my point is, you get a better idea of what's going on actually being a part of that time period, as opposed to just looking up resumes.

But you have a point.

 

Experiencing both first hand is the only way to properly gauge each generation. But few are able to be objective. I don't take the "I was there so I know better" argument very seriously. Especially in the boxing world.

 

Bro, I don't get why some people act like the Douglas loss was the only thing that happened in Tyson's career.

 

Those fights say more about Mercer and McCall's abilities , allowing an ancient fighter to go 1-1 with them.

 

Very well put.

 

It doesn't say anything about McCall's ability, since he beat him.

Mercer was hot and cold. He got a draw with Marion Wilson then went on to nearly beat a prime Lennox. The fact Larry beat him is pretty amazing though considering his age.

 

I was around for Mikes rise to glory. Proper context is needed to define Mike. The mental aspect of the game is huge and a fighters "aura" plays a part. When I had heard of him on the rise I thought he was a bit of a fraud / hype job. A casual glance at his opponents would have you believe he faced soft competition on the way up. Later as I learned more about boxing my opinion changed.
I think he faced appropriate tests at the correct stages of his development and he excelled. But even if you think all of his opponents before Spinks were easy touches, he did what any good boxer would do to them and took them out. Some lasted the distance, but that's all they were trying to do.
The more I study Mike and compare him to other heavyweights the better he looks in my eyes. Using recent examples like Ruiz / Joshua and maybe Byrd / Klitschko ( for size difference ) Fury / Wallin / Cunningham makes me feel like Mike could still compete in todays era.

 

Tyson got the perfect hype he deserved. He was always rated fine and to some extent appeared to be overrated by others due to the massive hype surrounding him. All of that is easily justified due to the ridiculously impressive ability he had.

 

His Prime was for a very short Period around 4 Years but it was Explosive....take into account Ali had nearly 4 years of His prime taken from Him and look what he still achieved.....Great Fighter Tyson but struggled against the bigger Heavyweights especially those with Great Chin's.!!!!