Re: Tyson at welterweight.
Originally Posted by
mikeeod
Tyson was a great heavyweight, but he is a level below Evander, Lennox, Klitschkos...etc. He feasted in one of the sorriest bunch if heavyweights ever. It was great that he forced guys to start training for fear of fighting him out of shape, but he never beat a great fighter who was still in his prime. Holmes was well past his best when they fought, and Spinks was a light heavy who was intimidated and showed up for his paycheck. Any elite fighter he faced that had the mentality to beat him didn't just beat him, they knocked him out. I like Mike Tyson. I think he was a hard worker and exciting fighter to watch. I feel bad for the way he was taken advantage if throughout his life and I feel like he took being sentenced to prison for a crime he didn't commit like a man. The myth of prime Tyson, however, has reached ridiculous levels. He is above guys like Berbick, Page, Tubbs, Tucker, Bruno... Etc., but not on the level of Holmes, Holyfield, Lewis and certainly not anywhere near Ali and Louis.
I agree with Ali and Louis because Ali beat greater fighters and Louis showed consistency with 25 defences but Holyfield was too inconsistent, Lewis was vulnerable early and the Klit brothers a league below.
Yes Berbick, Thomas, Tubbs, Tucker, Bruno, Spinks and Holmes (old) were not brilliant but the way he beat them demonstrated he was a great fighter.
Do not let success go to your head and do not let failure get to your heart.
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