A young Mike Tyson in today's heavyweight division

[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.