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.
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?
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.
Tyson wasn't small heavyweight compared to classic greats like Dempsey,Louis,Marciano,Ali,Frazier,Holmes,Foreman,Holyfiled .
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.