Time changes everything....back in 1990 or so, some people had Tyson as maybe unbeatable. Now his image is beginning to fade some. Where do you think is legit ranking?
My answer is yes.. I usually rate him somewhere around 6 or 7.. He was basically the youngest heavy weight champion of all time ( depending on what side you take on the Floyd Patterson argument ), unified the world title, flattened an entire division, and acheived a 37-0 record all by the age of 23. For whatever its worth, he also returned after a a 4 year leave of abscence to regain two fractions of the crown, albeit against Seldon and Bruno who were not the best heavys around at the time... For me, I think this is enough for a top 10 spot... On another note, I happen to think that the man is getting more and more underrated around here these days. When I was growing up and following his career on an avid basis, the fans experts and sports writers spoke in awe of his dominance and natural ability. At one point, he was even being talked about as being quite possibly the best ever. He suffers one loss in 42 fights, prior to going to prison and under most unfavorable circumstances, and all of a sudden, 20 years later on some internet forum, he's not even top 10 in some people's book.
In that case yes (in either actually), in terms of achievements it gets very hazy after Louis, Ali and Holmes (in whatever order). Becoming champion so young has to put him in there to begin with imo.
His resume is not outstanding. It can be broken down allday, and i've heard it all before, his resume is not outstanding. I'm not sure whether to omitt him yet, because the whole list would need to be evaluated, rather than me mindlessly just taking him out in some stupid rage, haha. The mere fact that i'm a huge Tyson fan and grew up on him is probably the reason i'm only saying this now, at age 25. The same logic is making me think that Dempsey needs evaluating as well. In the past when people have told me Tyson's greatness is overrated, i was the one sitting here arguing til the cows come home that he 'dominated a dvision though, and such great fashion' etc etc. But his resume is not amazing. We're talking the top ten of a rich division here. He could end up staying in, but that i can only confirm when comparing his work with others all over again, with a level head.
Yeah i watched him all when i was young, my dad used to tell me it wasn't the same as when he was in his prime, but me and my mates and everyone still loved watching him in the 90s etc. I didn't grow up on a prime Tyson, but the post-jail Tyson was still a legend to me.
You were 2 when he won the title. :yep Im just messing with you, but Tyson to me is a top ten guy for sure.