Mike Tyson discussion

2 losses to the ex-cruiser Holyfield, 2 losses past prime to nobodies which doesn't factor in so much when talking about a proper Iron Mike, and Lennox/Douglas losses... He beat so many tall, well chinned opponents I don't think it's fair to say that's his weakness at all

 

He fought Bruno in '89 and didn't quite look the fighter he was. Small signs - poorer upper body movement, for example - but signs nonetheless...

 

I think a Prime Mike Tyson gives any heavyweight a run for their money. The interesting part would be after round 5 against a skilled heavyweight with a good chin. I think Tyson's prime would have still been short lived because of his style. The enormous amount of energy it took for him to get inside the bigger heavyweights served him well while he was young but I feel would always diminish as he aged but maybe not as prematurely as it did with the chaotic life he lived. I think if you take into account prime elite ability, Mike Tyson would be in my top 10.

 

The most complete HW I've ever seen, meaning he had no real weaknesses and if you want to nitpick maybe his stamina wasn't the best. Tyson doesn't rank as high as he should because he self-destructed outside of the ring, which impacted him inside it. Still, at his best he was the HW with the least amount of weaknesses and had the potential to be the GOAT.

 

For me he's one of the greatest because his style was so unique and he did it so well; with such commitment and conviction. Granted that's equally (if not more) down to Cus and Teddy. There have been others that have developed their own style or used unorthodox styles successfully but none more prominently than Iron Mike.