Lets end the Mike Tyson debate

[OMGWTF]

I noticed there are two sides boxing heads take when it comes to iron mike. We either think hes the greatest most unbeatable heavyweight ever or a completely overrated puncher. Let me make a case for why some of us say the former.

The argument for him being average usually goes something like this
1. He lost most of his meaningful fights
2. Most of his losses were stoppages

While this maybe be true the guys that rate him in the upper echelon are those that know in his prime he would demolish anyone of the guys he lost too, he had speed, he had power, he had defense, and yes, he had a tremendous chin. Sure his losses were mostly stoppages but they were stoppages due to pure exhaustion from lack of training. So on paper he is not THE greatest, purely because the greatest intangible in a great is discipline, and without cus he didn't have it, but sheer skill and tenacity in the ring was something the heavyweights haven't seen up to that point, haven't seen since, and probably will never see again. Mike in his prime, and the potential he had if he kept developing is unrivaled, only heavyweight in history who would give him trouble is Ali, they're strangely tailor made for each other which is why i think it would be the most interesting fight in boxing history , but that's besides the point, thoughts?

Its like this.

Mike Tyson prime is absolutely Brilliant, but there are certain match ups (like Holifield) in which he is inferior.

He rips through lesser fighters with such horrific violence that people mistakenly think he could do that to anyone in his prime. But the truth is once you get a boxer with an iron jaw like Holyfield where Mikes punches just bounce off you are back to who has the most skill who connects more and who has the better work rate, or whos smarter.

Also someone like foreman might be a problem for him too since he is so big strong powerful and has the size and range advantage. (not that tyson couldnt beat him im just saying tyson has his limitations)

People are so blinded by the spectical of his speed and power and his knockouts (and skill) that they get blinded to the reality that he can be beaten by another skillful boxer with an iron jaw or another boxer with as many or more or physical gifts than he has.

Did he go down hill after Cus died and his old trainers got fired? Definately! But was that the sole reason for him not being unstoppable? Definately not!

There you go the answer lays somewhere between the two extremes.

He is probably in his prime one of the best (most effective) boxers of all time a top 10 HW of all time but probably not number 1.