Was John L Sullivan The Mike Tyson Of His Day?

One thing that very quickly becomes apparent, is that Sullivan sold copy in the gossip columns.

So much so that I tend to question the veracity of any incident, that didn't lead to some sort of documented arrest or criminal charge.

In that respect he is strikingly like Tyson.

 

I called Tucker the king of the "alphabet soup gang" and worthy of being considered an actual champ. Not the "King of the 80s".

Its better than what anyone else in said "alphabet soup gang" acheived. Especially Tyson opponents.

Mike Weaver had the most losses of any Holmes title defense. Pinklon Thomas would probably be third after Tucker and Witherspoon.

Well the value of going the distance comes from the rarity of the acheivement. The whole allure of Tyson in the 80s is destroying people early. So in that context going the distance has value. Its very much a situational acheivement. If you go the distance against a point fighter it means nothing. If you go the distance with Deontay Wilder it absolutley does. Green and Smiths resumes were not as good and fought Tyson earlier.

I do not dispute the overall premise being discussed that Tyson could have fought better opponents across his career.

Yes yes he was.