Yeah, managment issues, being unable to secure big money fights, completely forgetting his skill and relying on his power. He wasn't the fighter he used to be against Lewis. Extremely good win, but that's the reality of it.
Personally, I think Lewis is a top 10 fighter of all-time but Tyson falls just outside my top 10 (at around 12 or so). Tyson, however, will always be an intriguing case. Lewis did about as well as can be expected in his career. In my mind, he fulfilled his potential to its fullest. The same cannot be said for Tyson. If it's a matter of what could have been, Tyson may have had more raw talent, but Lewis made better use of the tools he had at his disposal.
Its as simple as this. If Lennox Lewis lost to Mike Tyson in 2002, Tyson would be a lock for top 5 ATG Heavyweight. I think most of us can agree. Lewis secured his legacy by beating Tyson. without that win there would be a cloud of doubt on his record. Just that one fight suggests that the body of work that Tyson had was pretty great. Tyson unified the belts individually and made more title defenses. Too tired to check but can someone pull the numbers on how many ranked contenders that Mike beat vs Lennox?
It was done before that. When he got robbed against Holy, his legacy was secure. It was a massively-hyped, historically important unification match, and Lewis beat him more or less with ease. By the time Tyson rolled around, Lewis had done more in his career than guys like Liston or Frazier ever did. :hat
ESB can be full of tards at times, that poll is embarassing. Tyson was greater than Lewis, no question about it.
Yeah, you are wrong. Tyson beat Tucker, Biggs, Ruddock and Botha first. He also fought Holy first, but of course didn't beat him. Ruddock fought Lewis only one year after Tyson, with KO victories over Greg Page and 21-0 Phil Jackson in between. Lewis beat Bruno and Golota first. :hat
Mike was shot, any **** could see that.... A prime Tyson would outspeed & outland Lewis for the entire 12 rd duration if he didnt blast him outta there sooner, a little like rd 1 of their actual fight except Tyson wont be close to gassing, his stamina in his prime was top notch & his ability to slip punches & make you pay would have given Lennox fits.
On opponents beaten its Lewis but I think in years to come Tyson may well become the figurehead for a period of time in boxing.