most exciting fighter you ever saw

You can't just look at KO's as a percentage. It's how Tyson did it. He was a fast starter, and his punches looked great--he had fantastic form. He used his entire body like few others have. He was also taking out top competition in a matter of seconds. For a while there, things seemingly got EASIER, instead of harder, for him at the top. He became a "sure thing". It wasn't IF Tyson was going to win a fight, it was HOW. At the time, it truly didn't seem like there was another human on the planet that could defeat him.

He also really stood out compared to other fighters with his no robe, no socks, all black look. There was Tyson, and then everyone else, as if he was on another level. Much like Tiger Woods today in golf.

 

recently chico corrales

 

Iron Mike,Ali, Prime Holyfield for technique.

 

Gil Turner
Gaspar Ortega
Florentino Fernandez
Carmen Basilio
Armando Muniz
Cornelius Boza-Edwards
Curtis Parker

all these guys seemed to be in exiting, entertaining fights on a regular basis.

 

You're an ol'-schooler, DM, if you recall Ortega, Fernandez 'n Basilio. Good to have a fellow dinosaur aboard.

 

On film, Dempsey.

 

I can only wish I saw these great fighters in the flesh John! I do study the tapes a lot though.

 

Hearns
Tyson
Jones
Foreman

 

Easy. Duran. And anyone that says he doesn't compare to the fighters of the past before him for excitement is full of ****. And then a great callout for my homeboy and the most exciting guy for 3 years in the 80's for me: Frank "The Animal" Fletcher. BTW, Go Flyers. Score the first Cup since The Broad Street Bullies!

 

Another guy yet to be mentioned is Mugabi. The pre-Hagler version of course. He was a gunslinger of the highest caliber and just stood ring center and didn't bother trying to jab. Did anyone ever throw fewer jabs than John Mugabi?

 

Good list, some more obscure guys.

Ortega vs Basilio is a war, one of those ones where the guys take 10 seconds off and you get bored because you are used to just non-stop punching.

Also Turner vs Gavilan is such a great fight.

 

Mike Tyson fore sure. He was always looking for a knockout. Always

 

Well said.

As champion, Tyson single-handedly brought boxing back as a mainstream attraction, worldwide!

The nonfan will never care to understand the nuances of the sport, exhibited by, say, a Larry Holmes.

But everyone understands a guy racing up to another and slamming him spark out!

On the strength of perhaps unequaled skill at heavyweight, Tyson turned championship boxing into a very basic-instincts scenario where the bully crushes his hapless prey. He did this at the highest levels, to the best fighters in the world -swiftly, utterly, mercilessly.

And he had the charisma, the look and aura of that fascinating nightmare: the unstoppable prizefighter. While his heart was in it, he certainly was.

 

Thomas Hearns for me, no question. Such a shame that he's having financial problems. :-((

 

Nigel Benn