he cracks me up with his total lack of filter. I sort of disagree with him — he’s actually one of the few sports figures who absolutely will have a lasting legacy. And, humorously, part of his legacy will be this clip.
I think his legacy will be for his brief and fearsome prime. And as a KO artist. He made a huge impact on boxing - the most recognisable star (to the general public) since Ali. And, for purists, while he did pull the sport into the gutter sometimes, there was enough in his impressive 1980s run IMO to make it a positive impact, over all Agree that some casual fans will overrate him. I think Tyson was super talented but flawed... kind of like the ultimate bully. If you could stand up to him and withstand his punishment you could beat him. But you had to be very good to do that. I have Tyson at the back end of my HW ATG top 10.
I think the Ruddock fights show him to be more than an 'on top, bully fighter', an opinion I held for years before rewatching them. Even getting beaten by Douglas, Holyfield 1 and Lewis, kid took his beating, didn't just look for a soft place to lie down...a bully woukd t have done that...
He started talking about how legacy doesn't matter, moments before selling out against a disney kid youtuber for the bag. Good for him? But he knows he sold his rep and soul.
Respect your opinion, though I disagree. Of course he had a lot of skills too. And, generally, took his licks in his losses, apart from the very end. But the Ruddock fights were the exception, I would argue, rather than the rule. Generally, when he didn't get his own way, physically and psychologically, he tended to lose - or unravel, even if winning (e.g. the Botha fight). That's not even mentioning the complete breakdown in the Holyfield 2, once he realised that he couldn't win. Add to this that the in-ring stuff was only a part of his game - the other side, outside the ropes, was fear and intimidation. His whole persona \ aura was built around it. He traded on it, and used it as a tool (e.g. Spinks, Bruno). So I think it's fair to say he was the ultimate bully. That's not to discredit him or say he didn't have other skills. He was a terrific and ferocious fighter. He eases into my top 10 HWs. But I think that assessment is borne out by his losses and demeanour when you stood up to him, physically and mentally (though only the best - at his best - were good enough to do that).
