About what time did Tyson drop off from being an "elite" HW?

Lewis v Tyson is like Calzaghe v Jones. Admittedly they are past their primes but it's almost like putting demons to rest. Both were the best of their era but were not considered so until they beat these guys (more so for Lewis). It's also forgotten that both Lewis and Calzaghe were old and should get credit for longevity.

People think Tyson's prime was many years prior to Lewis but on paper and in practice Tyson was still beating legit contenders like Botha and Golota. Even eight months after Lewis, beating Etienne was a decent win.

Since Douglas to Lewis, Tyson isn't considered prime BUT during those years he could have been prime if he applied himself. Tyson wasn't physically done until maybe after Etienne.

 

yeah but this isnt about the public perception of tyson its about his ability as a fighter and really asking us to use hindsight, IMO when he became a convicted ****** and went to jail for 3/4 yrs that was the end of his elite skills but not his elite status

 

last fight where Tyson looked like elite fighter IMO was against Golota! After that fight he started to gain weight and looked like sh*t against Nielsen! Lets not talk about Lewis fight!

Tyson's last win against Etienne was staged I think to make a Lewis rematch! And Mike didn't look that convincing to me even in that fight as he got cough with some punches!

 

:yep

 

When he went crazy and started to swear at the press, you could see it in his eyes, the guy completley lost his mind in the press conference before the Holyfield fight, his mind was gone and he turned from elite fighter to maniac.

 

atsch did you not watch his fight with Nielson?

 

Depends what you call "elite".

I believe he was ranked in the top five HW's when Lewis beat him.

Even though he was shot to ****. Obviously.

 

Actually he was still top 6 after Buster...After Holyfield 2 was when he wasn't a top 10 ne more IMO!

 

If "elite" means a top contender, then it's very tough to say. He put on some good performances even late in his second career and had to be considered a top contender for periods of the late 90's when he wasn't suspended. Tyson "peaked" as a fighter in the late 80's but was still the best the division had to offer pre prison. After prison he was still one of the top dogs until the 2nd holy fiasco but though he had the same physical tools he wasn't nearly as good as he was under cus/rooney. Like i said he showed some memorable stuff even later and had to be considered a top contender on and off through the late 90's and very early 2000's

 

I think many people are confusing being an "elite" fighter, with being in his "prime".

 

When he went to prison.

 

The first Holyfield fight like others have said.

 

It was miles better than todays division hater.

 

June 28 th 1991..........after his 2md fight with razor ruddock.......... He was never the same.

 

agreeed with every word.