Why do people think Tyson is a top ten Heavyweights?

I think Foreman got well paid for the Grimsely fight actually. It was in Tokyo.

 

if he'd not lost his head till his 30s then he'd be top five. but then he wouldn't be Tyson.

 

And when Foreman was given the contract to fight Tyson, he refused for the same reason, Don King.

So what was the point of calling someone out you had no intention of fighting?

 

8) Lenni chinny, 9) Holyfield & 10) Tyson

 

I probably have several posts in this thread but I don't feel like looking them up... my opinion on this particular day is this-

Tyson is one if the 10 best Heavyweights who ever lived.

The facts:

From March 1985 - February 1990 he went undefeated. During that time he went 37-0 (33) overall and 10-0 (8KOs) in HW World title fights.

He beat Lineal HW Champs and Hall of Famers Larry Holmes KO4 and Michael Spinks KO1.

He beat World Title holders Alfonzo Ratliff KO2, Trevor Berbick KO2, BoneCrusher Smith W12, Pinklon Thomas KO6, Tony Tucker W12, Tony Tubbs KO2, and Frank Bruno KO5.

He beat World Title challengers Jesse Ferguson KO6, James Tillis W10, Marvis Frazier KO1, Tyrell Biggs KO7, and Carl "The Truth" Williams KO1.

He also beat Mitch Green W10, Reggie Gross KO1, and Jose Ribalta KO10.

Then he lost to Buster Douglas, LKOby10. He went out swinging vs. a very determined Douglas. He had Douglas down in the 8th but couldn't keep him there.

He would go 13-5 (11) 2NC after his loss to Douglas. He went 2-3 (2) in HW World Title fights during this 20 fight stretch. He beat World Title holders Frank Bruno KO3, Bruce Seldon KO1, and Frans Botha KO5. He also beat Stewart, Ruddock x2, Mathis, Savarese KO1, Nielsen KO6, and Etienne KO1. He also fought Norris NC1 and Golota NC3... both were taking abuse before the fights were stopped.