Imagine if Anthony Joshua fought the very same opponents as Mike Tyson did in the same order?

Spinks and wiley old Holmes could pull off upsets

 

Everyone is leaving out the truly amazing part of Tyson's accomplishments.

Mike Tyson won his first world title at 20, unified the WBC, WBA and IBF belts, knocked off the Ring champion and made nine successful title defenses by the age of 23.

Mike Tyson had 20 fights (as many as Joshua does now) by his 19th birthday (in just over one year as a pro).

Here's what Anthony Joshua looked like when he was 20 or so, when Tyson was beating world champions.

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Tyson was one of a kind.

 

Tyson was one of a kind. But do not forget the whole entire industry of championship boxing bent over backwards to make sure Tyson always had the edge to accomplish what he did as fast as he did. The governing bodies fell into place for him. The HBO tournament paved the way. Before the death of Jacobs, Even Don King supplied champions to fight Tyson without demanding managerial rights from Tyson. Totally unprecedented.

Spinks was kept idle while Tyson was able to defend unified titles without so much as a squeak from the usually bickering governing bodies that miraculously cooperated with each other in order to share in the cut they got from the Tyson gravy train.

It was the only time in history where contenders found it harder to get a fight as often as the champion! Tyson was more active than most of his challengers.

Tyson had a lot going for him. He had everything and everyone on side to help him. It was unquestionably a place of privilege.

And, to be fair, he delivered.