What if Tyson retired in 1989?

Tyson DID want to retire in 88. He always said he didnt want to go out like previous fighters and end up broke. After the Spinks fight, he felt hed achieved all that he needed and as a newly wed at the time, he said he wanted to spend more time with his wife

and we all know how it all went.

 

Not sure ATG ranking but if he retired in 1989 he'd be remembered as an enigma, someone who tore through the division but could have achieved more if he'd carried on.

 

Some people would say he was the greatest ever.
Others would point out he just knocked over a bunch of stiffs.
He would be the ultimate 'enigma'.

I'd probably rate him around #15 - #20 all-time heavyweight, which is probably about where he should be as it is.
He just doesn't have the wins against serious opponents.

 

Is it better to be underrated or overrated?

I think now, Tyson has become underrated, had he retired in '89, he may have become super overrated

 

If Tyson had kept focused and dedicated to boxing, he would have been GOAT.

 

That is also true

however, i feel his personal life would always have affected his boxing career sooner or later, the question is, could Tyson have cemented his greatness (much more than he already has) before he self destructed?

Tyson might not have got done for **** in 91', but he would have self destructed somewhere down the line.

But before that, could he beat Holyfield, Bowe, Lewis, Moorer and Foreman?

Had he beaten these guys then you say he was close to the GOAT.

Its a big ask, but i comfortably pick the Tyson of 85-88 over all of those guys except Holyfield. Holyfield would have always been Tysons toughest fight. Not saying Holyfield would win, but hed be the one who really tests Tyson.

 

Imagine a Tyson that didn't take drugs, rob old ladies, drink, gamble and ****.

Imagine a Tyson that lived a 100% clean and dedicated boxing lifestyle, no doubt he would have been the GOAT HW.

Unfortunately, as with many boxers from deprived backrounds, the evils of the world take hold of them.

 

Well he didn't so he won't be remembered as the GOAT but as a wife-beating, ear-biting sociopath-****** that lost to bums like McBride and Williams and every fighter that was man enough not to be intimidated or get bullied by him.

Tyson was a midget and never that good and no version of Mike could even go 8 rounds with todays Vitali Klitschko without getting brutally ktfo.

Michael Gerard Tyson is a ******, a psychopath, a criminal and the epitome of a media-created hypejob-bum and he is rightfully NOT in the conversation for any credible top10-HW-list ever.

Deal with it.

 

Are you one of Tysons **** victims?

You sure sound like one.

And btw, Vitali is an overrated sack of **** who couldnt carry Tysons spit bucket

 

Funnily enough he would be ranked in a similar way, just without the circus that followed after prison. He should have just retired lol. Although I did enjoy his mini comeback after the Douglas loss. I think he would still even be well regarded if he retired when he went to prison. He took that loss to Douglas but he had a few good excuses and showed he had determination and heart in the Ruddock fights. So if I had my choice my wish would be that he retired after the Douglas rematch.

People mentioned he would have been a massive enigma if he retired early but in a way he is now, people regard that prime as a separate entity, they still say if that Tyson continued he would have been unbeatable. I'm not saying I agree but that enigma is still there for many, they will never accept that version of Tyson could be beaten. So in a way he did retire the best version of himself when he left Rooney. Its no excuse but I think that's why people are still fascinated by him, because they see that version as unbeaten, unblemished.

He is lucky he has that run of supremacy really because he lives off it to this day, I'm sure he wouldnt have had an unblemished record if other greats were around during those peak days.

 

U mad?

 

Essentially, Tyson's abilities coupled with Wladimirs discipline and dedication and respect for the sport.:shock::shock::shock:

Yeah......unstoppable force.:think

 

He would have been a bigger overrated fighter than Marciano atsch

 

He would've been overrated to no end.