If Mike Tyson retired after the spinks fight?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by TIGEREDGE, Sep 13, 2008.

  1. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    He'd be ranked even higher after Holmes went on to go 12 with Holyfield winning rounds and if Spinks/Holmes/Tucker etc became champs
     
  2. The Wanderer

    The Wanderer Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Most people probably would have said he was one of the greatest heavyweights, and there would have been a lot more fanboys and nuthuggers saying dumb stuff like "Tyson would knock out Ali!!!". There would be some people, mostly oldtimers or students of the game pointing out about Tyson fighting in a weak era, having a short career, never fighting another A level fighter who was in his prime, (Holmes having been well past his best, and Spinks not only having been past it but being a light heavy fighting at heavywight), but in the general public that would get overwhelmed by a tidal wave of Tyson fandom.
     
  3. marciano1952

    marciano1952 Active Member Full Member

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    I dont thank I could have rated him to hightly due to lact of Accomplishments in the sport and would have never fought anouther worth Opponent in there prime
     
  4. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Tucker, Biggs, Spinks, Smith, Thomas, all arguably near prime. Marciano's best opponents werent prime either
     
  5. My dinner with Conteh

    My dinner with Conteh Tending Bepi Ros' grave again Full Member

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    He could possibly be challenging for Top 3. The quality of his opponents may affect this though. Tucker, Smith, Biggs = Useless.
     
  6. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    Margaret Thatcher turning into a hottie tomorrow is more likely than you ever saying something positive about Tucker.
     
  7. Loewe

    Loewe internet hero Full Member

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    Well, Charles wasn´t that far away from his prime and even while past it Marciano´s opponents were still far better than Tyson´s. The guys you mentioned were all average at best (at hw for Spinks).
     
  8. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    He did go so far as to say he was tall with a good chin one time, well, he said that was all he had :lol:

    While he's up Tucker he's leaving my man Super Greg alone tho

    :D
     
  9. marciano1952

    marciano1952 Active Member Full Member

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    those guys were Average fighters at best

    Charles didnt start to lose until AFTER he fought Marciano, Walcott was near the top of his Game in the first fight and Marciano Ruuined him in one fight
     
  10. Muchmoore

    Muchmoore Guest

    Tyson beat HOF fighters Spinks and Holmes as well as in prime Ruddock, Tucker, Thomas, Biggs etc. I don't think Marcianos or Tyson's record should be critisized much though.
     
  11. Loewe

    Loewe internet hero Full Member

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    Yeah but Spinks was no hw and Holmes wasn´t near his best. The Louis Marciano fought was better than the Holmes Tyson fought. The rest of your names ... sorry but those are average fighters.
     
  12. Muchmoore

    Muchmoore Guest

    Well Moore was a LHW, Louis was old as well and had less left than Holmes. Holmes went on to beat Ray Mercer after losing to Tyson, clearly showing he was still a dangerous fighter. Marciano was Louis's last fight and he did nothing in the years prior to show he was anywhere near what he was. Charles and Walcott were both very good but past their best. While undoubtably greater fighters than everyone on Tyson's resume, they were slightly past their best and probably not much better than the Ruddock Tyson fought. And Tyson beat more ranked contenders and has more quanity than Marciano in terms of quality wins.

    I hold Tucker, Ruddock, Biggs Thomas higher than most, but they were decent fighters and definently not average.
     
  13. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I had him #2 at that time, but I think history would not of been kind to him and he would rightly slip down in time finishing where he is today: Knocking on the door of the top 10.

    He had not been properly tested pre Spinks, he had not answered all the questions needed for greatness.
     
  14. Loewe

    Loewe internet hero Full Member

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    Tyson has more quantity against second raters but Marciano has more quantitiy on quality wins. I disagree that the Walcott and Charles Marciano beat were on the level of Ruddock, those two were still a good amount better.
    Holmes in this fight was only there for the money. He was retired for years and had no tune-up. That win isn´t worth as much as a win about a Louis who fought constantly and also fought Charles and Walcott in the years prior to that fight. Louis is the better win.

    Sure you do, You´re a Tyson fan. You have too. I think the 80s weren´t better than today´s fighters and that´s not a compliment.
     
  15. Ezzard

    Ezzard Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He's probably be the top HW of all-time for a few years until Ikeabuchi became an internet legend at which time he would become number 2.