Mike Tyson: Douglas, Holyfield x2, Lewis, Williams, McBride Evander Holyfield: Bowe x2, Moorer, Lewis, Ruiz, Byrd, Toney, Donald, Ibragimov, Valuev Lennox Lewis: McCall, Rahman All three are ATG's no doubt, but if some of these losses were avoided, and they could very well have been, think how much better their legacy may be. This of course takes into account quality of opposition, position in their careers/opponents, etc.
This is kind of a no-brainer. Definitely Tyson's. But in a way, that is kind of a compliment to him. Lewis was able to avenge his, but the way he was knocked out really adds some question marks when thinking of him in a head to head sense. Most of Holy's are from fighting way past his prime. And the one loss to Valuev isn't a loss to anyone that isn't blind.
Holy was extremley inconsistent and struggled tremendously with opposition during his prime years. This leaves me with a question mark on his h2h ability, considering Tyson during his prime years was consistent and dominant to the point he cleaned out a slew of the best heavyweight contenders of the 1980s.
Definitely Tyson's. Every one of his losses are unavenged, plus one of his losses holds the distinction of being possibly the biggest upset in sports history.
Tyson's legacy really has not been tainted. We all know that prior to Buster Douglas he was probably the greatest all time. Cus trained him well and he tore through quality fighters like they were made of tissue. He had the goos sense to retire before he became a huge joke. Lennox Lewis' legacy was enhanced from his robbery loss to Holyfield. Evander simply has fought too long. In fact he has been so horrible for the last few years i forgot he was ever any good. .: Evander's legacy was hurt more by his losses
I would have to say Evander Holyfield because he is STILL FIGHTING goons like Valuev trying to grab ahold of something he should have got out of 5 years ago for good. All propers and credit to him for being able to get into that kind of shape at his age, but still...
I kind of feel like Tysons legacy has gotten better since hes retired, because people have had the chance to step back and really look at his earlier career as his true best and how good he was. He turned so many people off by his behavior in his comeback, it was hard to remember. I also agree that Lewis legacy was enhanced by the draw, and it also causes people to simply overlook the second Holy fight as an easy win for Lewis, when in fact it was a bit closer, and Lewis fought those fights disgustingly cautious. Agree about Evander, watching him get beat by guys like John Ruiz, and Larry Donald is hard to watch. He might as well keep fighting the damage has already been done.
No we don't. That's something that would have to be shown and certified over an entire career, not just a chosen selection of a fighter's career, and against a far better level of comp. than Tyson had fought in that time.
evanders loss to bowe ruined it for him. that was prime evander that lost to bowe , not a washed up version of him.
