The criteria for an All Time Great?

[SimonH]

Britkid correct me if im wrong, im not big on my 80s boxing trivia but i wouldnt say tyson fought in a strong era. I look at his record and theres alot of guys no one would of heard of and a lot of bums.

That is a tough question to answer.

Tyson pretty much cleaned up (with the big exception of Witherspoon; which was not Mike's fault) the fighters collectively known as the 'Lost Generation'

Every Lost Generation fighter, had talent, but for whatever reason (normally drugs), blew their chance to make it, when it mattered.

[Kev]

Britkid correct me if im wrong, im not big on my 80s boxing trivia but i wouldnt say tyson fought in a strong era. I look at his record and theres alot of guys no one would of heard of and a lot of bums.

That is a tough question to answer.

Tyson pretty much cleaned up (with the big exception of Witherspoon; which was not Mike's fault) the fighters collectively known as the 'Lost Generation'

Every Lost Generation fighter, had talent, but for whatever reason (normally drugs), blew their chance to make it, when it mattered.

I agree with everything you said although I would still rate Tyson as an all time great according to your intangibles.

Quite simply nobody has blown ordinary opponents away as aggressively as Tyson. Watch even Liston's and Foremans fights and they just don't look nearly as frightening as Tyson. Not saying they weren't as big punchers but Tysons style was unique and thats why he will go down in history as the baddest man ever to step into the ring.

I loved watching Sam Peter destroy Julius Long this week. That was how Tyson dealt with virtually every opponent in the 80's.