How Did Mike Tyson Remain in The Top 10 So Long?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Jun 13, 2020.


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  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Somehow he was rated in the top 10 or near enough for 16 years. He'd first lost his title s in 1990, yet still challenged Lewis 2002. Amazing for a small heavyweight that had a very short prime as such. In effect he should have being done after Holyfield 2.
     
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2020
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2020
    #1
  2. Pugilist Specialist

    Pugilist Specialist Active Member banned Full Member

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    Cause the division was really awful in the late 90’s, not much competition out there.
    Plus he would always be rated in the top 10 based on reputation alone. Think about it, if Mike Tyson is active, would Ring Magazine or whoever really rank some unexciting mediocrity like Fres Oquendo, or Frans Botha in the top 10 but not have an exciting ex-champ like Tyson in there?
     
    Pugilist Specialist, Jun 13, 2020
    Pugilist Specialist, Jun 13, 2020
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  3. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I can see your point there, regarding the late 90 s Startin to stink. And of Tysons rep alone keeping him in the rating s. It is still amazing tho imo that, lookin now with hindsight how fast he Faded, that against Lewis "A good few gave him a great shot.

    Then again, a massively built like he was shouldn't have being as blindingly fast and able to change angles like he did.
    But no one that explosive could be expected to go on for years and years. So maybe a lot of it was indeed reputation.
     
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2020
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2020
    #3
  4. VVMM

    VVMM Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Tyson wasn't small heavyweight compared to classic greats like Dempsey,Louis,Marciano,Ali,Frazier,Holmes,Foreman,Holyfiled .
     
    VVMM, Jun 13, 2020
    VVMM, Jun 13, 2020
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  5. Berlenbach

    Berlenbach Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He peaked early and faded early, much like Wilfredo Benitez and Terry McGovern, both of whom were world champions as teenagers and washed up by their mid-20s.
     
    Berlenbach, Jun 13, 2020
    Berlenbach, Jun 13, 2020
    #5
  6. THE BLADE 2

    THE BLADE 2 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Your case for him not being ranked in the Top 10 is extremely weak. Not really worth to address
     
    THE BLADE 2, Jun 13, 2020
    THE BLADE 2, Jun 13, 2020
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  7. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Tyson was a cash cow not seen since Dempsey. It helped him linger in the ratings at times when he should of been bumped out. You don't kill the ultimate golden goose.
     
    The Long Count, Jun 13, 2020
    The Long Count, Jun 13, 2020
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  8. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    His aura of invincibility cast a long shadow.

    Some people had to see him stretched out at the feet of Kevin McBride, before they could truly accept that he was finished at world level!
     
    janitor, Jun 13, 2020
    janitor, Jun 13, 2020
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  9. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    He was rated that way because he earned it.
     
    NoNeck, Jun 13, 2020
    NoNeck, Jun 13, 2020
    #9
  10. DavidBarnes

    DavidBarnes Member banned Full Member

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    He was still decent for a while in the 90s.
     
    DavidBarnes, Jun 13, 2020
    DavidBarnes, Jun 13, 2020
    #10
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  11. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    A small heavyweight that destroyed Golota.
     
    mark ant, Jun 13, 2020
    mark ant, Jun 13, 2020
    #11
  12. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I've not put up a case against him being in the top ten? It's a compliment to him, that he remained top so long.
    That's what trying to say, that he must have been better than some say by remaining top for years.
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2020
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2020
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2020
    #12
  13. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    He was a small heavyweight that destroyed a lot of heavyweights mark.
     
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2020
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2020
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  14. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    He was certainly. Up to around just after Holyfield. Then, for what ever reason, personal problems, law trouble, he could never get a consistent run going.
    That really was my pov, that he did well to remain at the top so long.
     
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2020
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2020
    #14
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  15. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Lewis, Holy, Byrd, Tua, Ike, Briggs, Golota, Vitaly.... He only beat one of them, but hardly a weak division.

    Actually, probably one of the strongest.
     
    Bokaj, Jun 13, 2020
    Bokaj, Jun 13, 2020
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