Who was the most feared boxer in history?

prime tyson was a beast

 

Louis
Tyson
Liston
Foreman

 

Tyson & Liston.

 

Tyson in his prime. Some people may say there have been a lot better fighters at HW but the sheer terror in most of his opponents faces, even before the fight started, was infectious. He scared me shitless but I am not a pro boxer. To see seasoned pros, who often towered over him, absolutely overcome by fear was priceless.

 

Prime Mike Tyson.

 

I remember watching the whole Jose Ribalta fight, now correct me if im wrong but that was still a prime Tyson and Ribalta showed no fear whatsoever in fact he was more than happy to keep trading with Mike even after numerous knockdowns. At one stage after a Knockdown the ref says to Ribalta "do you want to continue" to which Ribalta replies "Hell Yeah" that was awesome!!

Not saying that doesnt make Tyson a feared opponent but just one example of a guy who didnt fear him, or certainly didnt show it

 

And, it would seem, perhaps the only one who Mike feels didn't fear him (thoughts of Frank Bruno crossing himself come to mind):

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEFDD1431F933A2575BC0A96E948260

Prime Tyson pounded Ribalta, but at least Jose didn't go Bonehugger or Frank Bruno. Here's some highlights:

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Another guy who comes to mind who didn't fall apart when faced with Prime Mike Tyson was Tony Tucker. Tucker was on his bike for the fight, but he didn't just collapse in the ring and he didn't get knocked out.

Tyson terrified guys. That's one reason the Buster Douglas fight was so shocking. Not only did James not give in to fear, he got up from the canvas and took it to Mike like no one ever had.

 

Although Foreman and Liston were fearsome fighters who instilled fear in there opponents no one has ever been like Iron Mike. Mike looked the part and fought the same way. For a man that young to possess so much raw talent at that age was unimaginable. Much like Ali he also had the invincible aura aswell.

 

The way he used to pace up and down the ring, tipping his huge neck from side to side and offering the occasional glare at his 'prey' was an awesome sight.

 

:thumbsup I tried that once. Cricked my ****ing neck

 

When Max Baer was asked what he is most afraid of he said: "standing in the ring across Joe Louis, knowing he wants to go home early." After he was knocked out in 4 rounds - remember Max Baer is up there with Chuvalo and Mercer when it comes to chins - he was asked if he would have been able to continue, Max said: "if the audience wants to see an execution they have to pay more than a few bucks."
Every fighter who stepped in the ring with Louis was afraid.

McGrain would possibly say Charley Burley btw.

I would like to add Monzon, Hagler and Barbados Joe Walcott.

 

They would all run from Bruce Curry. He was crazy, seriously demented.

 

Tyson & Liston in their resepective eras, with Foreman as an honourable mention. Wasn't Hagler pretty intimidating too?