A young Mike Tyson in today's heavyweight division

[JonesJrMayweather]

Personally he beats most , but i think Vitali would stop him in 6-8 , Tyson had no guts.

Another misconception.

Just because he was so far superior to his peers, so much so that at the time he looked invincible, that his skills were so great he made quick and easy work of a whole division doesnt mean he had no guts. Its not Mikes fault he wasnt the 30 odd year old version of himself in the 80's, therefore being more on an even keel with everyone else.

Tony Tucker, Tony Tubbs, Pinklon Thomas and even a 38 year old Holmes would walk through todays division

Tyson's resume is super weak..not hard to be that superior...

[cnote111]

I stand by the opinion of Tyson was extremely overrated... Most of his fights were won before the frist bell even rang... Once he lost his edge, that was it... I think he would have more trouble dealing with the Klits then whats being discussed so far, but overall i think he would be able to be top dog.


Man the HW div. sucks!!!

[gest12645]

He'd have trouble with the Klitschko's , but he'd beat both I think. A prime Vitali beats and Prime Tyson though

[ross]

He'd have trouble with the Klitschko's , but he'd beat both I think. A prime Vitali beats and Prime Tyson though

A prime Vitali pussied out in a fight with Chris Byrd

He couldnt finish the show against an old Lennox Lewis! A young Mike Tyson would make quick work of him

[X]

Young, fit, conditioned and technically adept Tyson would bulldoze through today's heavyweight division like a Sherman tank through a cornfield.

He would do exactly what he did in the 80's ...... terrify everyone, blow people away like nobody before or since and revitalise the sport once again.

Young Mike Tyson was a fearsome proposition, an electrifying a performer as has ever stepped into the ring and I think he would have been competitive in any era.

[0james0]

We will soon see, Richard Towers is like a 6ft 8 Tyson!

[Eloking]

What are you saying, those guy could beat Tyson C'mon!!!

Huh? Oh! You mean not all of them at the same time

[JonesJrMayweather]

Young, fit, conditioned and technically adept Tyson would bulldoze through today's heavyweight division like a Sherman tank through a cornfield.

He would do exactly what he did in the 80's ...... terrify everyone, blow people away like nobody before or since and revitalise the sport once again.

Young Mike Tyson was a fearsome proposition, an electrifying a performer as has ever stepped into the ring and I think he would have been competitive in any era.

Who are some of these prime A rated heavies that he blew through?

[ross]

Who are some of these prime A rated heavies that he blew through?

Michael Spinks, Tony Tucker, Tyrell Biggs and Razor Rudduck could have been considered that also at the time, at least very dangerous.

Dont say that Spinks wasnt an A rated heavy either because at the time he was.

Its like saying that Holyfield, Toney, Jones and Haye arent proper heavies because they moved up, although some id agree on but they all beat genuine defending champions, although Toney cheated.

Spinks had to beat a much better heavy weight to get his title at heavy than any of those.

Also, Mike flattened a Holmes that was much closer to his prime than the one that Holyfield struggled with.

[X]

Who are some of these prime A rated heavies that he blew through?

It's a fair point - but we always deride the opposition when someone has been very dominant. Look at what people say about marciano's opponents, or RJJ's more recently. It is harder for the opposition to build up their reputations when someone dominates a division so thoroughly.

Arguably, the fact that Ali had a three year layoff made his opposition seem stronger as they had been vfery successful in his absence. Had Ali fought Frazier when he was inexperienced (and he probably would have, as he would have cleaned up the division by then), Frazier would by now me regarded as an 'also ran' just like some of Tysons opponents. Don't think I'm putting Joe down, as he is one of my favourite fighters ..... my point is that Yyson fought everybody around (with the exception of Bowe) and generally iced them all when he was in his prime.

[JonesJrMayweather]

Who are some of these prime A rated heavies that he blew through?

Michael Spinks, Tony Tucker, Tyrell Biggs and Razor Rudduck could have been considered that also at the time, at least very dangerous.

Dont say that Spinks wasnt an A rated heavy either because at the time he was.

Its like saying that Holyfield, Toney, Jones and Haye arent proper heavies because they moved up, although some id agree on but they all beat genuine defending champions, although Toney cheated.

Spinks had to beat a much better heavy weight to get his title at heavy than any of those.

Also, Mike flattened a Holmes that was much closer to his prime than the one that Holyfield struggled with.

that was spinks last fight EVER...holmes was 39...tucker was solid...holyfield grew into being a real heavy, as did toney, jones never had any intention of staying up there and competing with lennox or the klits...

[ross]

Who are some of these prime A rated heavies that he blew through?

Michael Spinks, Tony Tucker, Tyrell Biggs and Razor Rudduck could have been considered that also at the time, at least very dangerous.

Dont say that Spinks wasnt an A rated heavy either because at the time he was.

Its like saying that Holyfield, Toney, Jones and Haye arent proper heavies because they moved up, although some id agree on but they all beat genuine defending champions, although Toney cheated.

Spinks had to beat a much better heavy weight to get his title at heavy than any of those.

Also, Mike flattened a Holmes that was much closer to his prime than the one that Holyfield struggled with.

that was spinks last fight EVER...holmes was 39...tucker was solid...holyfield grew into being a real heavy, as did toney, jones never had any intention of staying up there and competing with lennox or the klits...

The fact remains that Mike had better quality opponents than Evander and Lennox and ripped through them, Evanders best win was over Bowe who was made to go 10 with a fighter (Tubbs) that Mike put away in 2 and Mike did it 3 years earlier!

Lennoxs best opponent was Evander and after only managing a draw he got a gift decision, both got beaten in their primes. When Mike was in his prime and not with King he looked unstoppable and ruined a division, after he beat Berbick, he succusfully defended the title 9 times while also unifying and leaving no doubt who the best in the division was. He was what you call dominant.

Whereas Lewis could only make 3 defences after just being given the title before being sparked by a journeyman and Holyfield could also only manage 3.

Neither could replicate how dominant Tyson was, 9 defences and 6 as unified undisputed (all 3 titles) champ, when you look at the figures, thats when you see how special Mike was back then.

[boxingbantz]

The fact remains that Mike had better quality opponents than Evander and Lennox and ripped through them, Evanders best win was over Bowe who was made to go 10 with a fighter (Tubbs) that Mike put away in 2 and Mike did it 3 years earlier!

Lennoxs best opponent was Evander and after only managing a draw he got a gift decision, both got beaten in their primes. When Mike was in his prime and not with King he looked unstoppable and ruined a division, after he beat Berbick, he succusfully defended the title 9 times while also unifying and leaving no doubt who the best in the division was. He was what you call dominant.

Whereas Lewis could only make 3 defences after just being given the title before being sparked by a journeyman and Holyfield could also only manage 3.

Neither could replicate how dominant Tyson was, 9 defences and 6 as unified undisputed (all 3 titles) champ, when you look at the figures, thats when you see how special Mike was back then.

In the words of Denzel - "my man!"

Great post.

[0james0]

A look through the stats shows he fought many boxers who were in their peaks, I know stats don't tell the full story, but he fought many people who had 0/1/2 losses on their records and were on the back on winning streaks.

See here:

Mike Tyson - Boxer

I think in his prime he would have torn apart any heavyweight ever made, his speed, power and elusiveness would have been too much for any of them. Shame he went off the rails or he would have had an incredible legacy, he would have been undisputed best ever.

[ross]

The fact remains that Mike had better quality opponents than Evander and Lennox and ripped through them, Evanders best win was over Bowe who was made to go 10 with a fighter (Tubbs) that Mike put away in 2 and Mike did it 3 years earlier!

Lennoxs best opponent was Evander and after only managing a draw he got a gift decision, both got beaten in their primes. When Mike was in his prime and not with King he looked unstoppable and ruined a division, after he beat Berbick, he succusfully defended the title 9 times while also unifying and leaving no doubt who the best in the division was. He was what you call dominant.

Whereas Lewis could only make 3 defences after just being given the title before being sparked by a journeyman and Holyfield could also only manage 3.

Neither could replicate how dominant Tyson was, 9 defences and 6 as unified undisputed (all 3 titles) champ, when you look at the figures, thats when you see how special Mike was back then.

In the words of Denzel - "my man!"

Great post.

I dont think we will ever see an undisputed champion make 6 defences ever again, in any weight, let alone heavy, especially in the short time frame Mike managed.