Mike Tyson. Underrated or Overrated?

[Jimmy G-Force]

For me personally, Tyson in his prime was a great fighter, and a real handful for any heavyweight in history. His problem was he was born into a weak era. He never had the fights to truly define him, and the moment had well passed when he eventually fought Lewis, to have any real bearing on his legacy, for or against.

For me, he can never be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Louis, Ali, Frazier, Marciano or Larry Holmes. Was he overrated or underrated ? Thats a hard question as it all depends on who your are judging him against. And even if the benchmark is determined, how can you really judge without the defining fights, which were not of his choosing.

I remember Mike for being one the most aggressive, powerful, scary motherfuckers that ever lived, and as exciting as your ever likely to see. And a great fighter.

[salty trunks]

For me personally, Tyson in his prime was a great fighter, and a real handful for any heavyweight in history. His problem was he was born into a weak era. He never had the fights to truly define him, and the moment had well passed when he eventually fought Lewis, to have any real bearing on his legacy, for or against.

For me, he can never be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Louis, Ali, Frazier, Marciano or Larry Holmes. Was he overrated or underrated ? Thats a hard question as it all depends on who your are judging him against. And even if the benchmark is determined, how can you really judge without the defining fights, which were not of his choosing.

I remember Mike for being one the most aggressive, powerful, scary motherfuckers that ever lived, and as exciting as your ever likely to see. And a great fighter.

Were Marciano and Holmes in stronger eras?

[erics44]

tyson was a phenonomon
phenonemon
phenominon
phenomenon

thats it

[eagleskins]

Most overrated fighter of all time. Fought in the weakest era of all time, the late 80's. Only fought two good fighters his entire career and was KTFO by both. Not to mention the numerous tomato cans that knocked him out.

[TheBranMan]

Count me in the overrated camp. While I think he was a good fighter with a very entertaining style, I can't agree that he was great. Tyson fans will be quick to come up with 101 excuses for the Douglas fight, but there are always excuses. The fact is that a young fighter with little wear and tear was beaten by stellar opposition in Douglas - another decent heavyweight, but by no means great.

[generalbulldog]

Count me in the overrated camp. While I think he was a good fighter with a very entertaining style, I can't agree that he was great. Tyson fans will be quick to come up with 101 excuses for the Douglas fight, but there are always excuses. The fact is that a young fighter with little wear and tear was beaten by stellar opposition in Douglas - another decent heavyweight, but by no means great.

Exactly how I feel. You wouldn't believe how many of his defenders come up with excuses for the Buster fight. He undertrained, he was past his prime (at 23), he didn't have Rooney, it was Don King's fault, it was Robin Givens fault, cus damato died too early, his corner didn't have an enswell, oh yeah and I can't forget the long count excuse, etc.

The truth of the matter was it was Mike and Mike alone that failed himself, his best wins were against an 38 year old Holmes, and a blown up LHW in Spinks and countless tomato cans like Tony Tubbs, Pinklon Thomas, Tyrell Biggs, etc. And yet this is the guy that his fans say will KO Ali if they fought prime for prime.