The Myth everyone rated Tyson as an ATG HW after Spinks fight (Video evidence inside)

[generalbulldog]

There's this myth that has been floating around for years that everyone from fans to boxing experts rated Tyson as an ATG HW after the destruction of Spinks. I say false. It's only the casual fans that did this, not the long term fans that said that, it was too early to give him that lofty status of up there with ALi and Louis. Tyson fanboys always loved to parade this myth as if it's some fact. My dad and his friends didn't say that about Tyson and they were hardcore fans, because they felt it was way too early. And other boxing experts also felt that way.


This is HBO's post fight special of the Spinks-Tyson fight
At the 9:00 minute mark of the video Larry Merchant asks a few experts about Tyson.
One guy says, "I think it's premature to imagine him as the best or greatest yet, he's 22 years old and has never been in a fight."


Then the video continues where someone says, "Greatest in history?" The guy talking says, "No."
Larry Merchant then asks another expert, "Do you think he would have beaten Joe Louis or Ali?" The expert answers, "Joe Louis, no. Ali, no. Not at this point. I would have to see further development. As far as what's out there now, Evander Holyfield the CW champion could suggest would be a decent fighter."

This so called myth that Tyson was being proclaimed as greatest HW or amongst the greatest HWs after the destruction of Spinks is just that a myth.

[marbleheadmaui]

That was fascinating! Thanks! I don't think I'd ever seen that before.

[BIG H]

Just becuase you found a couple of examples and your dad and your mates didn't think it, doesn't make it a myth. The guy was even p4p number 1 in 88 (ahead of JCC, Azumah Nelson, Holyfield etc) Almost unheard of for a HW.

[Kev]

Actually you just completely disproved your own point

The very fact they asked the question shows how highly he was regarded and means they automatically accepted him as an all time great, they were asking if he was the very best ever, something they havent even asked of Floyd or Manny.

This is great. You tried to prove a point, and provided killer evidence to prove yourself wrong

[Kev]

Just becuase you found a couple of examples and your dad and your mates didn't think it, doesn't make it a myth. The guy was even p4p number 1 in 88 (ahead of JCC, Azumah Nelson, Holyfield etc) Almost unheard of for a HW.

I think you will find that none of them were rated as all time greats by GB and his dad at that time either so your argument has no substance.

[generalbulldog]

Actually you just completely disproved your own point

The very fact they asked the question shows how highly he was regarded and means they automatically accepted him as an all time great, they were asking if he was the very best ever, something they havent even asked of Floyd or Manny.

This is great. You tried to prove a point, and provided killer evidence to prove yourself wrong

No it did not disprove my own point. The myth has been that Tyson was regarded as the greatest HW or amongst the greatest ever after beating Spinks, is just that a myth. Not even the majority of boxing fans or boxing experts regarded him as up there with Ali and Louis, much less best ever especially at 22 years old. Now there was an initial jubilation after Tyson's victory by some, but people that have followed the sport for a long time and even many experts at the time said, "Let's wait and see before we start calling him as great as Ali and Louis or greater than them."

[ICB]

I wasn't even born during that time, but the guy was rated P4P number 1 as BIG H said. And destroyed a great fighter Michael Spinks in just over 1 minute. The guy was wrecking threw every Heayweight in his path.

And you can count on one hand how many clean hard shots he took in his prime, i heard at one point he was the 3rd most talked about person only behind Elvis and god himself. So that just shows no one had seen anything like Mike Tyson in boxing.

[Kev]

Actually you just completely disproved your own point

The very fact they asked the question shows how highly he was regarded and means they automatically accepted him as an all time great, they were asking if he was the very best ever, something they havent even asked of Floyd or Manny.

This is great. You tried to prove a point, and provided killer evidence to prove yourself wrong

No it did not disprove my own point. The myth has been that Tyson was regarded as the greatest HW or amongst the greatest ever after beating Spinks, is just that a myth. Not even the majority of boxing fans or boxing experts regarded him as up there with Ali and Louis, much less best ever especially at 22 years old. Now there was an initial jubilation after Tyson's victory by some, but people that have followed the sport for a long time and even many experts at the time said, "Let's wait and see before we start calling him as great as Ali and Louis or greater than them."

You are an idiot

They asked if he was the best ever. That already takes for granted he's an all time great. How many times have you heard anyone on HBO ask if Wlad or Vitali are the best heavy's of all time? It's never been asked because it doesn't need to be. Yet Wlad will likely go down in history as a top 20, probably top 15 heavyweight of all time.

With Mike it was the exact opposite. With him they went straight to the biggest names of all, and asked if he could beat them? At 22, shows just how much they were in awe of him.

I havent heard them ask if Saul Alvarez could have beaten Ray Robinson at welter yet, or Hearns or Duran. Have you?

[Kev]

And Tyson IS an all time great btw. Which is why he was a first ballot Hall of Famer this year...

[ICB]

Actually you just completely disproved your own point

The very fact they asked the question shows how highly he was regarded and means they automatically accepted him as an all time great, they were asking if he was the very best ever, something they havent even asked of Floyd or Manny.

This is great. You tried to prove a point, and provided killer evidence to prove yourself wrong

No it did not disprove my own point. The myth has been that Tyson was regarded as the greatest HW or amongst the greatest ever after beating Spinks, is just that a myth. Not even the majority of boxing fans or boxing experts regarded him as up there with Ali and Louis, much less best ever especially at 22 years old. Now there was an initial jubilation after Tyson's victory by some, but people that have followed the sport for a long time and even many experts at the time said, "Let's wait and see before we start calling him as great as Ali and Louis or greater than them."

You are an idiot

They asked if he was the best ever. That already takes for granted he's an all time great. How many times have you heard anyone on HBO ask if Wlad or Vitali are the best heavy's of all time? It's never been asked because it doesn't need to be. Yet Wlad will likely go down in history as a top 20, probably top 15 heavyweight of all time.

With Mike it was the exact opposite. With him they went straight to the biggest names of all, and asked if he could beat them? At 22, shows just how much they were in awe of him.

I havent heard them ask if Saul Alvarez could have beaten Ray Robinson at welter yet, or Hearns or Duran. Have you?

Totally agree nicely put.

[BIG H]

I wasn't even born during that time, but the guy was rated P4P number 1 as BIG H said. And destroyed a great fighter Michael Spinks in just over 1 minute. The guy was wrecking threw every Heayweight in his path.

And you can count on one hand how many clean hard shots he took in his prime, i heard at one point he was the 3rd most talked about person only behind Elvis and god himself. So that just shows no one had seen anything like Mike Tyson in boxing.

Exactly mate - as I said in the other thread. If Tyson wasn't something special why has nobody before or since been talked about and caused so much excitement. It's not a coincidence or luck! He wasn't an Ali, i.e a great talker and a star outside the ring, he was dull as fuck outside the ring. He was just an awesome fighter

[generalbulldog]

Actually you just completely disproved your own point

The very fact they asked the question shows how highly he was regarded and means they automatically accepted him as an all time great, they were asking if he was the very best ever, something they havent even asked of Floyd or Manny.

This is great. You tried to prove a point, and provided killer evidence to prove yourself wrong

No it did not disprove my own point. The myth has been that Tyson was regarded as the greatest HW or amongst the greatest ever after beating Spinks, is just that a myth. Not even the majority of boxing fans or boxing experts regarded him as up there with Ali and Louis, much less best ever especially at 22 years old. Now there was an initial jubilation after Tyson's victory by some, but people that have followed the sport for a long time and even many experts at the time said, "Let's wait and see before we start calling him as great as Ali and Louis or greater than them."

You are an idiot

They asked if he was the best ever. That already takes for granted he's an all time great. How many times have you heard anyone on HBO ask if Wlad or Vitali are the best heavy's of all time? It's never been asked because it doesn't need to be. Yet Wlad will likely go down in history as a top 20, probably top 15 heavyweight of all time.

With Mike it was the exact opposite. With him they went straight to the biggest names of all, and asked if he could beat them? At 22, shows just how much they were in awe of him.

I havent heard them ask if Saul Alvarez could have beaten Ray Robinson at welter yet, or Hearns or Duran. Have you?

They (HBO) asked the question if he was the best ever because some misguided fools asked that question after the jubilation of the Spinks fight. But you have to remember Ali had his last fight in late '81, he was still a big iconic star in the sport that is still remember by many. The truth is that outside of a misguided few like casual fans no one really thought he was an atg up there with Ali or even greater than Ali or Louis, still the standard for Heavies.

Why was there this thread? Because for years you have the Tyson fans saying that basically everyone thought that Tyson was just as great or greater than past HW greats after the SPinks fight. That is not the case. A myth just like the long count in the Buster Douglas fight.

And no need to get into insults.

[BIG H]

Actually you just completely disproved your own point

The very fact they asked the question shows how highly he was regarded and means they automatically accepted him as an all time great, they were asking if he was the very best ever, something they havent even asked of Floyd or Manny.

This is great. You tried to prove a point, and provided killer evidence to prove yourself wrong

No it did not disprove my own point. The myth has been that Tyson was regarded as the greatest HW or amongst the greatest ever after beating Spinks, is just that a myth. Not even the majority of boxing fans or boxing experts regarded him as up there with Ali and Louis, much less best ever especially at 22 years old. Now there was an initial jubilation after Tyson's victory by some, but people that have followed the sport for a long time and even many experts at the time said, "Let's wait and see before we start calling him as great as Ali and Louis or greater than them."

You are an idiot

They asked if he was the best ever. That already takes for granted he's an all time great. How many times have you heard anyone on HBO ask if Wlad or Vitali are the best heavy's of all time? It's never been asked because it doesn't need to be. Yet Wlad will likely go down in history as a top 20, probably top 15 heavyweight of all time.

With Mike it was the exact opposite. With him they went straight to the biggest names of all, and asked if he could beat them? At 22, shows just how much they were in awe of him.

I havent heard them ask if Saul Alvarez could have beaten Ray Robinson at welter yet, or Hearns or Duran. Have you?

They (HBO) asked the question if he was the best ever because some misguided fools asked that question after the jubilation of the Spinks fight. But you have to remember Ali had his last fight in late '81, he was still a big iconic star in the sport that is still remember by many. The truth is that outside of a misguided few like casual fans no one really thought he was an atg up there with Ali or even greater than Ali or Louis, still the standard for Heavies.

Why was there this thread? Because for years you have the Tyson fans saying that basically everyone thought that Tyson was just as great or greater than past HW greats after the SPinks fight. That is not the case. A myth just like the long count in the Buster Douglas fight.

And no need to get into insults.

Simply not true mate. I remember it like it was yesterday and you would do well to find anybody that wasn't at least comparing him to the ATGs and in the same breath as those guys.

[Kev]

Actually you just completely disproved your own point

The very fact they asked the question shows how highly he was regarded and means they automatically accepted him as an all time great, they were asking if he was the very best ever, something they havent even asked of Floyd or Manny.

This is great. You tried to prove a point, and provided killer evidence to prove yourself wrong

No it did not disprove my own point. The myth has been that Tyson was regarded as the greatest HW or amongst the greatest ever after beating Spinks, is just that a myth. Not even the majority of boxing fans or boxing experts regarded him as up there with Ali and Louis, much less best ever especially at 22 years old. Now there was an initial jubilation after Tyson's victory by some, but people that have followed the sport for a long time and even many experts at the time said, "Let's wait and see before we start calling him as great as Ali and Louis or greater than them."

You are an idiot

They asked if he was the best ever. That already takes for granted he's an all time great. How many times have you heard anyone on HBO ask if Wlad or Vitali are the best heavy's of all time? It's never been asked because it doesn't need to be. Yet Wlad will likely go down in history as a top 20, probably top 15 heavyweight of all time.

With Mike it was the exact opposite. With him they went straight to the biggest names of all, and asked if he could beat them? At 22, shows just how much they were in awe of him.

I havent heard them ask if Saul Alvarez could have beaten Ray Robinson at welter yet, or Hearns or Duran. Have you?

They (HBO) asked the question if he was the best ever because some misguided fools asked that question after the jubilation of the Spinks fight. But you have to remember Ali had his last fight in late '81, he was still a big iconic star in the sport that is still remember by many. The truth is that outside of a misguided few like casual fans no one really thought he was an atg up there with Ali or even greater than Ali or Louis, still the standard for Heavies.

Why was there this thread? Because for years you have the Tyson fans saying that basically everyone thought that Tyson was just as great or greater than past HW greats after the SPinks fight. That is not the case. A myth just like the long count in the Buster Douglas fight.

And no need to get into insults.

It IS the case. Still now if you approach any man on the street and ask him if he likes boxing and who he most likes 8/10 will say 'I loved Tyson back in the day', and then follow it with 'in his prime he would have beaten anybody'.

Try it, approach some random people and ask them.

What you basically are trying to say is 'Me and my dad didn't buy into the hype that Tyson was an all time great'.

Which is ok. Well done. But you were wrong, as history has shown that he was one of the all time greats after all.

[Hulk]

Actually you just completely disproved your own point

The very fact they asked the question shows how highly he was regarded and means they automatically accepted him as an all time great, they were asking if he was the very best ever, something they havent even asked of Floyd or Manny.

This is great. You tried to prove a point, and provided killer evidence to prove yourself wrong

No it did not disprove my own point. The myth has been that Tyson was regarded as the greatest HW or amongst the greatest ever after beating Spinks, is just that a myth. Not even the majority of boxing fans or boxing experts regarded him as up there with Ali and Louis, much less best ever especially at 22 years old. Now there was an initial jubilation after Tyson's victory by some, but people that have followed the sport for a long time and even many experts at the time said, "Let's wait and see before we start calling him as great as Ali and Louis or greater than them."

You are an idiot

They asked if he was the best ever. That already takes for granted he's an all time great. How many times have you heard anyone on HBO ask if Wlad or Vitali are the best heavy's of all time? It's never been asked because it doesn't need to be. Yet Wlad will likely go down in history as a top 20, probably top 15 heavyweight of all time.

With Mike it was the exact opposite. With him they went straight to the biggest names of all, and asked if he could beat them? At 22, shows just how much they were in awe of him.

I havent heard them ask if Saul Alvarez could have beaten Ray Robinson at welter yet, or Hearns or Duran. Have you?

Thats a bit much Bilbo. Be a nice Hobbit.

Tyson was regarded as one of the greatest ever, thats evident by his ranking in the P4P list at the time and all the talk about him.