Mike Tyson had a greater career than Larry Holmes...

Tyson is so overrated it's pathetic and I was a big fan of him in his prime. When I look back at his career though his resume doesn't impress me at all except for the win over Spinks.

 

I'm not even too sure that you should be all that impressed with the heavyweight version of Michael Spinks. Spinks is an ATG, but merely a good heavyweight who got a gift in the rematch with Larry Holmes.

Mike didn't have greats on his resume like Muhammad Ali (what HW does?) and didn't fight in the toughest HW era, but a lot of HW eras are not that strong.

What is impressive is how he beat the top guys around him at the time, which is no small feat in ANY era.

For example, look at The Ring's ratings at the end of 1986 and how many guys Mike beat from 86-89.

http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_1986

HeavyweightsCruiserweightLight Heavyweights

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Tyson is by far the bigger "star" in the sport he is recognized all over the world. Holmes dosen't have that star power.
BTW: You rated Holmes an A fighter when he got raped by Tyson I think Holmes was shot, old and rusty at the time waaay passed his prime I'd say B minus at best.

 

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The Tyson fight was the low point of Holmes´ career. He´d been out of the ring for a long time and didn´t prepare properly for that bout. I am not saying that Holmes would´ve won if better prepared, though.

And yes - the 1992 version of Homes was sharper than the 1988 version, but nowhere near as great as he was at his best ofcause.

 

Holmes was waaaaaaaayyyyy better of the 2, Holmes stayed on top for 7 years, beat way better fighters and never got his ass kicked by a 42-1 underdog, and never quit in a fight also! Tyson was way over-rated and when he knew he knew he couldn't beat Holyfield he found a way out, by getting himself dq'd..

 

Its a close one , only i think Larry came up a much harder route...


Competition was better at the tale end of Larrys career, and Tysons era had some champions boxing Larry years before as mere challengers..

Trevor , Smith, Witherspoon to name 3 were upstarting hungry men in 82- 83 yet later they grew into Solid champions, it puts it all into a big perspective..

Watch Mercer v Holmes..

Larry boxed Mercer like he was a kid, then
Mercer took Lewis to the wire and gave a good Holyfield fits...

 

I think Tyzon is a greater fighter than holmes ^_^

 

Larry Holmes resmue > Tyson's resmue

Longer reign, and more title defenses, he did not get destroyed at his peak also.

Larry Holmes is a greater head 2 head fighter all time as well

Holmes would do better against Ali, Foreman, Liston, Lewis, Louis, Johnson and Holyfield than Tyson with both at their respective peaks. I see Tyson doing better against Frazier, Dempsey, and Marciano thats it.

 

Your first point: I always thought about whether or not some of those guys were rushed but after really thinking about it I'm not so sure it would have made much of a difference had they fought a few more times prior to facing Holmes.

Now granted, I wasn't around in those days but from the looks of things it seemed as though the young challenger getting a crack at the old lion champion was the norm. Sort of like Hopkins/Taylor. The moment they felt a guy was remotely ready to challenge (Snipes, Witherspoon, Frazier, Smith) he got his shot regardless of where he was in terms of development.

 

ILLMATIC your the ****ing FRAUD U ****, how can u slag Jermain Taylor off? To even get the ring takes so much guts and determination it's unreal. You ****ing MUG. I dont care if i get banned Jermain Taylor is a good fighter he just got beaten by a better fighter at time in Kelly Pavlik. So your the ****ING FRAUD. Rant over!!!!

 

Yup. Tyson nicked 2 belts from previous Holmes victims and you're right about the Mercer fight. It was the early 80's all over again as Larry turned back the clock that night. If I recall correctly, the fledgling WBO stripped Ray for going through with that fight. It's generally not good press to have one of your title fights result in an ATG getting his ass handed to him, especially if you're a relatively new organization trying to legitimize yourself. Boy were they wrong on that one.