How Would MIKE TYSON Do Against The All-Time Greats?

[Bad_Intentions]

By Monte Cox


Jack Johnson


Johnson was big, strong, and fast enough to compete with modern heavyweights. However, his chin was in serious doubt as he was dropped by middleweight Stanley Ketchel and was also kayoed by 168 pound Joe Choysnki. Johnson’s defensive reputation does not stand up either. As Tyson said in the Sports Illustrated video, “Tyson and the Heavyweights”, 1988, boxers in his day threw two or three punches at a time. The old time fighters were simply not adept at throwing multi-punch combinations. Johnson would simply slide back and pick the punches out of the air. Blocking punches in this manner would be very difficult to do today. Tyson would overwhelm Johnson with his speed and powerful combinations. Johnson would be unable to cope with Tyson’s swarming attack and “consistent punching”. Tyson wins this match up by crushing TKO within seven rounds.

Update 2004: I have seen more films from this era than I had in 1992, though I had seen Johnson against Jeffries, Ketchel and Burns. While it is true that fighters did not throw as many combinations pre-1920’s they did sometimes throw 4-5 punch combinations. I have Joe Gans on film doing this. Gans and Johnson both were from the same black school as George Dixon and Joe Wolcott (they had the same manager and trainer). Jack Johnson was sparring partner for Walcott as he grew up. [Only registered and activated users can see links] blocks a jab in exactly the same way as Dixon demonstrated in his 1891 instruction book. Johnson’s was a master at the almost lost art of feinting and was a superb counter-puncher. He could glove block, parry, slip and even dance out of danger when necessary though he fought flat-footed most of the time so he could fight 40 plus rounds if needed. Under modern rules he would be able to be a much more mobile fighter and he had the ability to do it with no problem.

What we know about Tyson now that we didn’t understand off his then lone loss to Douglas was that Tyson’s weaknesses were mainly psychological. He had a front-runner mentality and tended to quit mentally when faced with aggressive counter punching. This weakness always existed in Tyson; one can see his psychological weakness in his amateur career once it had been exposed. Remember him breaking down and crying in a well-known home video from the Jr. Olympics? Atlas also once told a story how Tyson almost destroyed another fighter but when the guy refused to quit, it was Tyson who almost quit and he yelled, “Don’t you do it Mike!”
Tyson didn’t always fight with “consistent punching” either, he would allow his opponents to grapple and clinch inside and didn’t always go to the body as he should have. Joe Frazier would get both his hands free and bang to the body, Tyson didn’t do that. He did not have good inside fighting skills. This is even evident in the prime Tyson in his fight with Bonecrusher Smith. Johnson, like Ali, was a master of the clinch and would be happy to accommodate Mike with the clinch inside. Today I believe Johnson, if he fought a smart fight, which he usually did, would be able to avoid Tyson for the first few rounds and discourage him with strong counters like Holyfield did, and eventually wear him down and probably knock him out.
So here I reverse my 1992 analysis and pick Jack Johnson by late rounds TKO.

Jack Dempsey


One of Tyson’s ring idols. Tyson loved Dempsey for his “viciousness”. Tyson often fought in a similar fashion. The biggest difference here is size. The “Manassa Mauler” developed a reputation for destroying much larger men. But heavyweights like Luis Firpo and Jess Willard did not possess Tyson’s sovereign speed and power. Tyson would enjoy nearly 30 pounds in weight, greater physical strength, and superior handspeed.

The fight would be brutal with both men rocked by serious blows thrown with “bad intentions.” Tyson is not susceptible to the one punch knockout. He absorbed the hardest shots that Razor Ruddock could deliver and fired back quickly. A fun fight to watch while it lasted which would be about two rounds with Tyson looking down at his fallen hero.
Update 2004: The notion that Tyson could not be knocked out with one blow has been confirmed. In all of his losses he had to be beaten over the course of the fight. Douglas gave him a beating over 10 rounds; Holyfield over 11 and Tyson could not get inside Lewis height and reach and succumbed in 8. So I do not believe Dempsey would be able to take Tyson with a quick knockout.

Tyson and Dempsey have so much in common, Tyson’s patented right to the body came right from Dempsey, his non stop bob and weave, in his prime came from Dempsey, his all out attack from the first round came from Dempsey. As much as I love Dempsey he would be basically fighting a bigger, stronger, and faster version of himself. Dempsey was rugged, tougher and could fight better when hurt but I just don’t think he would recover quick enough against Tyson to survive.
Result: Same.

[Bad_Intentions]

Gene Tunney

Two-time conqueror of Dempsey, had the boxing skills to frustrate (an off peak) Dempsey in analogous fashion to the Douglas-Tyson upset. Despite Tunney’s skills he simply would not have the strength to keep Tyson off him. Gene would be backed up, beaten to the punch, and hammered from all angles. His legs and chin might allow him to last three rounds but no more.

Update 2004: Well I really use to under-estimate Tunney he really was a superb boxer and a good counter-puncher, good enough to frustrate even Tyson. BUT I don’t think the 190-pound Tunney could hit hard enough to keep Tyson off him, so that remains the same. Even though it might be interesting for a couple of rounds I think Tyson nails him and one punch, body or head, is probably all he would need against a smaller fighter who could not hurt him. Remember Mike Spinks?

Result: Same.


Joe Louis This might be one of the best match ups ever made. The cold calculating boxer-puncher against the fiery inner rage and fury of Tyson. This one has three possible outcomes:

Louis is completely routed and blown out in the first round by a savage Tyson attack. This is the least likely scenario as Louis was famous for his recuperative power. Joe could be hurt by a punch and still give you the impression that he wasn’t hurt with his deadpan glare. Louis would then counter punch with frightening power.
Louis uses his masterful jab and sharper boxing skills to out think and punish Tyson over the course of the fight. Joe gets the better of the exchanges on the outside and finally rips his strong uppercuts and hooks to stop Tyson in the mid-late rounds vis-à-vis Arturo Godoy and Buster Douglas.
The third possibility is a hard fought 12 round decision. Louis would not enjoy the 83-inch reach, foot speed or lateral movement that Douglas used to frustrate Tyson. A Louis-Tyson fight would be a slugfest. Both Louis and Tyson are debilitating combination punchers. It would be an exciting fight all the way but Louis’ jab, ring strategy, and his ability to carry out Jack Blackburn’s fight plan would allow him to capture a close decision.

Rocky Marciano

This fight would not be as good as some people would like to think. Marciano was dropped by a 38 year old Jersey Joe Walcott left hook in the first round of their 1952 title fight. He was also floored by a 42 year old light-heavyweight in his title defense against Archie Moore. Marciano never defeated a heavyweight who would rank in the top 10 today. Can any sane person picture a fighter weighing only 185 pounds defeating Iron Mike Tyson? Rocky would come out and position himself right in front of Tyson. Mike who is stronger, faster and more powerful with either hand would crush the Rock. Marciano would fall like Berbick and out-gunned like Frazier was against Foreman. Tyson by a stunning 2nd round TKO.

2004 Update: I have continued to rate Marciano in my top 10 all time heavyweights. The top heavyweights in 92 were Tyson-Bowe-Holyfield-Lewis-Ruddock-Witherspoon, so saying that Marciano had never faced a heavyweight of that quality was true. I have to agree with this analysis. Tyson would just plow through Marciano, no small cruiserweight no matter how hard he hit is going to beat Tyson, especially standing in front of him. No way.

Sonny Liston

If anyone could intimidate Mike Tyson it would be Sonny Liston. Liston’s awesome 84-inch reach, destructive jab, and deadly hooks and uppercuts would spell trouble for Iron Mike. As Tyson moved in he would be greeted by Sonny’s thunderous long jab. Liston was at least Tyson’s equal in terms of sheer power. Sonny was also under-rated as a boxing technician. Liston would hammer Tyson at long range, control the tempo of the fight, and batter Tyson much worse than Douglas ever could. By the eighth round Tyson would have trouble seeing Sonny’s punches and a murderous barrage would send him down for the count.

Update 2004: Wow. I wrote this description in 1992 and it would have almost fit his fight with Lennox Lewis almost perfectly. The fight ended in the eighth round, Tyson was cut over his eyes, and he could not penetrate the bigger mans left jab. Liston’s reach is also the same as Lennox Lewis. This was sort of my upset pick in 1992 but it does make sense and I will stick by it.

Joe Frazier

Smokin’ Joe was a great pressure fighter who was relentless with body punching, hooks and workmanlike consistency, which would wear down most of his opposition. Frazier was at his best against stick and move boxers like Ali and Ellis. But against a really heavy hitter his chin was susceptible. Frazier was a notoriously slow starter, while Tyson became famous for his demolition first round knockouts. Tyson would swarm all over Frazier like a pack of killer bees. Tyson may not float like a butterfly, but his sting is much worse than any bee. Tyson scores an early knockdown and halts a defenseless Frazier in the fifth with his sizzling uppercuts as in the Bruno fight.

Update 2004: Joe took a few rounds to start “Smokin”, and he normally didn’t warm up to this task until about the fourth round. That would be too late against Tyson. Down two times in the second round against Bonavena in their first fight, down in the second round against Mike Bruce, nearly dropped in the 2nd round of the 2nd Ali fight if not for an early bell, and downed 6 times in two rounds by Foreman in their first fight, Frazier would succumb to the shocking power of Tyson.

Result: Same

George Foreman

Many fans would loved to have seen this slam-bang affair. Though this fight nearly came off in 1990-91 it is the prime George that would be the true test. George is similar to Liston in many respects. Foreman possessed the awesome jab, but it came at the end of a reach that was 5 inches shorter than Liston’s. Even so he had 8 inches in reach on Mike.

Tyson, in his prime, would exhibit the head movement and defense necessary to come in under George’s looping punches. Tyson’s handspeed would allow him to counter successfully. Ruddock was an easy target for Tyson and George would be no different. Ruddock said in his post fight interview when asked about the first knockdown, “I was surprised by his speed at that point.” Jimmy Young proved a first rate counter-puncher could outwork Foreman on the inside. Tyson would fight with spirit, punching to the body and astonish George with quick counter punches to the head. After five rounds Foreman would begin to tire. If Ron Lyle could drop Foreman twice, then Tyson, a far harder puncher and better finisher than Lyle, would keep him there. Tyson the winner by convincing knockout in seven rounds.

Update 2005: This is the only result I have changed since I redid the article in 2004. Frank Lotierzo wrote a fairly convincing piece on the subject that one can view here: Why We Never Saw Foreman-Tyson Cus D'Amato and Tyson use to study films of George, not ever thinking that Foreman would ever meet Tyson in the ring. Cus told Mike that no swarming fighter who ever lived could ever beat George Foreman. This is likely the primary reason the Tyson-Foreman fight did not come off in 1990-91. The intimidation factor would belong to George and once Tyson is unsure of himself he would be defeated psychologically. Tyson with his short arms would have had many of the same problems as Joe Frazier did in getting to George. Inside hand speed would probabbly not be a factor, as George would catch Tyson coming in. Just a bad match up for Mike overall.

I could see either scenario my 92 analysis or Frank's 2004 analysis. But given what we know about Tyson now and the style factor I think George must be given the nod.

Result: Foreman by knockout

[Bad_Intentions]

Muhammad Ali

Ali had the perfect style and ring psychology to beat Tyson. In “Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times” by Thomas Hauser, all five people associated with Tyson picked Ali in a dream fight over Tyson. That list included Tyson trainers Kevin Rooney and Teddy Atlas, former manager Bill Cayton, and former D’Amato champions Floyd Patterson and Jose Torres.

I always felt Ali could beat Tyson. In the Sept 1988 Ring Magazine, I had a letter published, "Tyson Versus Heroes of the Past" where I noted Ali's "amazing speed and footwork would easily frustrate Tyson." This was when Tyson was undefeated and at the peak of his popularity. I concluded that, "Ali defeated quality fighters such as Sonny Liston, Ron Lyle and Earnie Shavers who would have went tooth and nail with Tyson. Ali's results with such fighters speak for themselves...I submit to you that Ali would have stopped Tyson." When Buster Douglas defeated Tyson with a similar -stick and move- style to that of Ali I felt vindicated.

Buster Douglas used Ali type tactics to aggravate and frustrate Tyson, the long jab, lateral movement, and quick combinations from the outside. Ali’s chin is also generally regarded as the best in division history having successfully absorbed the bombs of Liston, Frazier, Foreman, and Shavers. Ali would control the ring center in punishing Tyson. Ali would be talking to him using psychological warfare to make the defeat total. Ali by late TKO or clear unanimous decision.

Update 2004: Ali by TKO- once frustrated Tyson can be taken apart.



Larry Holmes

Shortly after having won the most satisfying victory of his career by decisioning Ray Mercer, Holmes said there was one man he would not fight, Mike Tyson., Tyson of course brutally kayo'd Holmes in 1988. The prime Holmes would had the same tools that Douglas used to beat Tyson in 1990. However, a properly motivated Tyson would still be very dangerous for Larry. Holmes always had trouble with pressure. He was on the verge of defeat against Mike Weaver in 1979, from Weaver’s body attack. Holmes was lucky to get a close decision over Tim Witherspoon who used inside pressure to bother Holmes in 1983. Worst of all, Larry never learned to bring his left hand straight back after jabbing. His jab was very quick and heavy but this fundamental error nearly got him kayoed against Earnie Shavers and light-hitting Renaldo Snipes. Faster and stronger Tyson would wreck Holmes game plan with pressure and break him with devastating shots to the head and body. Only Holmes’ strong chin and legs would help him to survive. Tyson by late Kayo or unanimous decision.

Update 2004: I don’t think Tyson would be able to pressure Larry inside like Weaver and Witherspoon did because he never learned to free his hands and punch like Joe Frazier and “agreed” to clinch way too much. On the other hand if you look at their actual fight, Larry, though past his prime, still maintained the great jab and much of the skill that had made him a champion as his later success against Mercer demonstrated. The version that fought Tyson was better than the one who beat Mercer. Larry jabbed, danced, was up on his toes, but the end came with sudden destruction once Tyson landed. It’s not like Larry ran out gas it only went four rounds. Holmes had lost very little in terms of his fighting skills at that point. He was in very good shape for this fight as well. I think this just may be an instance were Tyson had the speed and style to get to Larry where other fighters had not.

Result: Same

[Leprikawn7]

I dont think it was Phsychological problems that got him beat by Buster Douglas. It was the fact that he spent only one day in the gym! Tyson stopped seriously training after the Spinks fight! You could see it in the Bruno fight, he ws loading up and trying to take everyone out with one punch. When he was hard pressed by Mitch Green and big guys like Tony Tucker, Tyson held his own.

I agree with some of your predictions, I think Tunney would go down hard against Mike. But with Tyson it all comes down to which Mike you faced. If it was the superior in shape Mike from the Spinks fight, not many would be able to handle him. If it was the stand up puncher that went against Razor Rudduck, then they all have a chance.

[dmt]

Monte is an excellent writer though i have to say he perhaps thinks to highly of Tyson. Just because he was heavier then say Marciano or Frazier, does not make him any physically stronger

[dado]

no the fact that he was heavier does not make him much physically stronger ,,, but just the fact that he simply WAS physically stronger does

[Bummy Davis]

He may be a good writer but he does not know anything about boxing or intestinal fortitude which Tyson lacked when the going got tough, Louis,Marciano,Ali,Dempsey all had it and it would make a big difference in a fight with Tyson. Tyson vs Holmes I agree (Tyson's right hand was Holmes Kryptonite

[robert ungurean]

The Tyson that had Kevin Rooney in his corner could spell trouble for any heavyweight in history.

[Mendoza]

He may be a good writer but he does not know anything about boxing or intestinal fortitude which Tyson lacked when the going got tough, Louis,Marciano,Ali,Dempsey all had it and it would make a big difference in a fight with Tyson. Tyson vs Holmes I agree (Tyson's right hand was Holmes Kryptonite


Tyson was a front runner type, a coward who quickly got down on himself & fouled, and a guy who had major swelling problems. Tyson seemed to slow down a bit past round five.

The thing is Tyson was such a fast and ferocious starter he could very well blow other fighters out. Tyson’s speed and power were something to behold. Slow starters, fighters who could be intimidated, fighters with limited mobility, and fighters who don't have top chins were almost always blown away by Iron Mike.

History proved that tough confident boxers with a hard jab could beat Tyson. Douglas, Holyfield and Lewis did the trick. If Douglas could do the trick, then so could Ali and Holmes. I disagree with the initial author if he thinks Holmes wasn’t better than Douglas or Holyfield. I think Liston could do it as well. Frank Bruno gave Tyson a rough go in their first fight. If Bruno had more confidence, he could have won the fight.

I would give Foreman, and Dempsey a chance, though I would pick Tyson over Foreman. Foreman was too slow and not a much of a distance fighter. Dempsey vs Tyson seems like a pick 'em match.

I would pick Tyson inside the distance over Frazer, Marciano, Johnson, and Louis based on styles and the belief that they were not durable enough to weather Tyson's early attacks. I think Tunney looses a decision to Tyson, and could upset Tyson if Tyson becomes undone in the later rounds.

Tyson never went to war with a slugger with a top chin like Tua, Witherspoon, Ibebuchi, or McCall. Could he beat them?

[MachineGunMitch]

Nut hugger.......

[UpWithEvil]

The Tyson that had Kevin Rooney in his corner could spell trouble for any heavyweight in history.

With Rooney in his corner and a needle in his ass.

[combatesdeboxeo]

Tyson was a front runner type, a coward who quickly got down on himself & fouled, and a guy who had major swelling problems. Tyson seemed to slow down a bit past round five.

The thing is Tyson was such a fast and ferocious starter he could very well blow other fighters out. Tyson’s speed and power were something to behold. Slow starters, fighters who could be intimidated, fighters with limited mobility, and fighters who don't have top chins were almost always blown away by Iron Mike.

History proved that tough confident boxers with a hard jab could beat Tyson. Douglas, Holyfield and Lewis did the trick. If Douglas could do the trick, then so could Ali and Holmes. I disagree with the initial author if he thinks Holmes wasn’t better than Douglas or Holyfield. I think Liston could do it as well. Frank Bruno gave Tyson a rough go in their first fight. If Bruno had more confidence, he could have won the fight.

I would give Foreman, and Dempsey a chance, though I would pick Tyson over Foreman. Foreman was too slow and not a much of a distance fighter. Dempsey vs Tyson seems like a pick 'em match.

I would pick Tyson inside the distance over Frazer, Marciano, Johnson, and Louis based on styles and the belief that they were not durable enough to weather Tyson's early attacks. I think Tunney looses a decision to Tyson, and could upset Tyson if Tyson becomes undone in the later rounds.

Tyson never went to war with a slugger with a top chin like Tua, Witherspoon, Ibebuchi, or McCall. Could he beat them?

george foreman 73-74 would give to mike the worst beating of his life, nobody in the history might beat a prime tyson as a prime 73-74george foreman would do. styles.... prime holyfield 90-91 would beat mike in my opinion by sd, sonny liston 59-60 had the power,the strength ,the jab to beat mike tyson,of course prime ali66 would beat prime mike by ud, joe frazier 70-71 would have 50% chance against prime mike(joe late or mike early), i think that marciano would increment his weight to face a man like mike, marciano in 205 pounds might well beat tyson, i think that prime mike would beat`prime holmes and lennox lewis(with a lot work).i think that mike would ko louis, tyson was a horrible match for louis, joe was too static to avoid the savage attack of mike, but the man who would hurt tyson seriously is 73-74 george foreman, of course tyson was a great counterpuncher,foreman had the guard open, but george had the strength to push back tyson, foreman would hurt tyson with his upper , and george had the chin to take the best shot from tyson. foreman by ko 3-5 rounds, the great defense of mike would help him in the first 3 rounds, not more, foreman would not fail always.

[eslubin]

in boxing terms "styles make fights" is french term roughly translating to mean "i really think this fighter would lose, but i don't want to say that"

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

[combatesdeboxeo]

in boxing terms "styles make fights" is french term roughly translating to mean "i really think this fighter would lose, but i don't want to say that"

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

in spanish what you said is a bullshit ( una gilipollez)

[Young Corbet IV]

A notable factor about Mike Tyson's career is that he never won a fight in which he had to come back from the brink of defeat. Any fight in which he struggled, he ended up losing. He was given fairly tough resistance in both his clashes with Razor Ruddock, but he always had the egde.

He's comparable to Sonny Liston, who also intimidated most opponents but who also never won a fight in which he had to come back from the brink of defeat. This is kind of like the typical bully syndrome; stand up to them and they crumble.

Most of the heavyweight greats like Ali, Dempsey, Marciano and Frazier had that kind of never-say-die attitude. They could get knocked down, cut, hurt, but they never stopped trying. You've gotta admire them for that, but how would Tyson cope if he couldn't keep them on the canvas the first time he knocked them down. How strong would he be mentally if he nailed them with his best shots but they kept coming at him?

A lot of fans think Tyson would be able to beat Marciano because he was much bigger but I think there's more to a fantasy match-up between these guys. If the Rock fought in the 1980's he could fight at cruiserweight. But knowing his ambition and the money and the glory that would await him at heavyweight he would surely mix it with the big guys. This would mean he would likely bulk up to around 210 to 215 lbs. The question then would be how effective could he be at such a weight? He was fanatical when it came to training and conditioning, and so he would probably use similar methods to Holyfield when increasing his weight. If the Rock was at 215 lbs there would surely be no flab on his frame. I think the Rock was mentally stronger than Tyson and if he could be effective at 215 (and it's a big IF) then he'd win a brief but sensational slugfest with Tyson.

[Foreman Hook]

Shitty article wrote by a Tyson-fangirl.

A min of 16 ppl Beat "1988" Tyson IMO.

[gentleman jim]

I think the type of fighter best suited to beat Mike would be the taller rangier skilled boxer ala Ali/Lewis. The smaller fighters like Dempsey/Marciano and Frazier wouldn't be able to cope with Mike's size, speed and power but a bigger fighter with height and reach advantages would simply because he could fight from a distance and keep Mike at arms reach (Include Liston in this category due to his reach and jab). Sure Mike could be discouraged the longer the fight went but I don't think the smaller slower HW's would stick around long enough to see if they could do it. Dempsey would stand the best chance due to his faster footwork but I still don't think he would avoid the hammer for too long...Marciano and Frazier would stand right in front of Mike and that spells doom. The blueprint for beating Mike was laid out by Quick Tillis and would be carried out to perfection by someone like Ali.

[ironchamp]

A min of 16 ppl Beat "1988" Tyson IMO.

Lucky for us you're opinion matters little.

[Azzer85]

Tyson beats them all, the only person who would give him trouble is Ali and Lennox Lewis. He wipes the floor with the rest of them. If they tried to brawl with him he will KTTFO. Their only means survival is to run and hold.

[combatesdeboxeo]

Tyson beats them all, the only person who would give him trouble is Ali and Lennox Lewis. He wipes the floor with the rest of them. If they tried to brawl with him he will KTTFO. Their only means survival is to run and hold.


iron champ, maybe you agree with this bullshit? :rofl:rofl:rofl

[Azzer85]

iron champ, maybe you agree with this bullshit? :rofl:rofl:rofl

Nobody cares what you think because George Foremans semen is clouding your vision

[flyinhigh99]

Tyson is an all-time great. I think he's the best ever.

[The Mongoose]

2004 Update: I have continued to rate Marciano in my top 10 all time heavyweights. The top heavyweights in 92 were Tyson-Bowe-Holyfield-Lewis-Ruddock-Witherspoon, so saying that Marciano had never faced a heavyweight of that quality was true.


Ass backwards analysis. Marciano never faced men of this quality? What about Iron Mike? If he faced and beat all these men than he would have a point. But using this list that somehow proves his superiority, Tyson only faced and beat the limited Ruddock by 1991-1992. His other scalps during this time: Tillman and Stewart. When he faced Holyfield and Lewis later in his career, he was soundly beaten. Poor, poor argument.

So Ruddock, Tillman, and Stewart are better than all time greats Moore, Charles, and Walcott? :rofl

[combatesdeboxeo]

Nobody cares what you think because George Foremans semen is clouding your vision

you are wrong,i know very well who would have chance against foreman, and believe me, tyson is not one of them :rofl i don´t care for your opinion simply because you said "tyson would beat any hw in the history"
a person who said it know shit about boxing:deal

[Azzer85]

you are wrong,i know very well who would have chance against foreman, and believe me, tyson is not one of them :rofl i don´t care for your opinion simply because you said "tyson would beat any hw in the history"
a person who said it know shit about boxing:deal

Foremans semen clouding your vision.

H2H Tyson would prove a more difficult opponent than your boyfriend

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[combatesdeboxeo]

Foremans semen clouding your vision.

H2H Tyson would prove a more difficult opponent than your boyfriend



:tired:tired it is all? is it your argument? pfff
you really disappointing. you have no argument .
george foreman has better career than tyson, george foreman did beat better rivals than tyson. foreman in his 40s was competent against a a prime holyfield,and he won de title in his 40s. past prime holyfield destroyed tyson. tyson was destroyed by the bum buster douglas,and humiliated by bums like mcbride and danny williams.
so tyson is the best basing on?
on your ignorance? or you speculation?

[Azzer85]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[DDDUUDDDEE]

Settle down guys.

I think we can all agree on one thing... eslubins videos rock.

[Miketyson2007]

Mcbride and Williams surely don`t count the great joe Louis was poor late in his career,its like saying Ali was poor cos he lost to Birbeck.
Tyson was finished by then and even in the williams fight a peak williams he was injured during the fight.
The fighter out of the list that is greatly overated in my view was Dempsey,Tyson would of KO`d Dempsey early.

[MagnaNasakki]

Ali beats him easily. He psychs him out, uses his inhuman toughness and mobility to evade danger till Tyson fades, badly, as he usually did, then just bounces punches off his face for 9 or 10 rounds to a unanimous decision win.

Foreman and Louis have a darn good shot, because of the tools-Namely, they could take Tyson out just as easily as he could them. Pick em fights. I give Tyson the edge over Louis because he had the harder chin, and they had similar lethality in their offenses, where as Foreman was a bit of the lesser fighter, but was much tougher, larger, and was an expert on pounding on shorter guys. I'd give Foreman a small edge because of styles and identity.

Prime Holmes has the tools. If he doesn't use them, he probably gets knocked out, but if he fights the disciplined, tactical fight he was capable of, it puts him over and he decisions Tyson, outpointing him in the same style Buster battled him.

Tyson beats Frazier. Too many opportunities to hit him and hard, and Frazier usually took some time to wear down fighters of Tyson's toughness. He wouldn't last long enough, or take to much damage. Same reason he beats Dempsey-Too beat Tyson, you can't give him too much opportunity early, and Frazier and Dempsey would give him nothing but a target for as long as Tyson wished to throw. And Tyson had the speed and the combination punching to make the bob and weave mostly useless.

Lewis had everything he needed. I'd bet money on Lewis to beat Tyson prime for prime. He had the size, strength, power, and jab. I don't see Tyson as being able to do what he needs to overcome Lewis-Too weak in the head.

Holyfield, in my eyes, had Tyson's number. I can absolutely understand differing interpretations, but in my mind Holyfield was too tough in every conceivable way.

Sonny Liston batters Mike. That jab and that power is just a nightmare.

Tyson over Marciano. Too easy to hit, too small. Would likely get blown out early before he truly got into his maul and batter groove.

Thats my interpretation. Tyson had great tools, but had a piss poor mind, and never fought a good jabber he had a good time with. He's an ATG for sure, but it doesn't help him that many of the greatest heavyweights of all time happen to have the styles to beat him.

[Stevie G]

Ali beats him easily. He psychs him out, uses his inhuman toughness and mobility to evade danger till Tyson fades, badly, as he usually did, then just bounces punches off his face for 9 or 10 rounds to a unanimous decision win.

Foreman and Louis have a darn good shot, because of the tools-Namely, they could take Tyson out just as easily as he could them. Pick em fights. I give Tyson the edge over Louis because he had the harder chin, and they had similar lethality in their offenses, where as Foreman was a bit of the lesser fighter, but was much tougher, larger, and was an expert on pounding on shorter guys. I'd give Foreman a small edge because of styles and identity.

Prime Holmes has the tools. If he doesn't use them, he probably gets knocked out, but if he fights the disciplined, tactical fight he was capable of, it puts him over and he decisions Tyson, outpointing him in the same style Buster battled him.

Tyson beats Frazier. Too many opportunities to hit him and hard, and Frazier usually took some time to wear down fighters of Tyson's toughness. He wouldn't last long enough, or take to much damage. Same reason he beats Dempsey-Too beat Tyson, you can't give him too much opportunity early, and Frazier and Dempsey would give him nothing but a target for as long as Tyson wished to throw. And Tyson had the speed and the combination punching to make the bob and weave mostly useless.

Lewis had everything he needed. I'd bet money on Lewis to beat Tyson prime for prime. He had the size, strength, power, and jab. I don't see Tyson as being able to do what he needs to overcome Lewis-Too weak in the head.

Holyfield, in my eyes, had Tyson's number. I can absolutely understand differing interpretations, but in my mind Holyfield was too tough in every conceivable way.

Sonny Liston batters Mike. That jab and that power is just a nightmare.

Tyson over Marciano. Too easy to hit, too small. Would likely get blown out early before he truly got into his maul and batter groove.

Thats my interpretation. Tyson had great tools, but had a piss poor mind, and never fought a good jabber he had a good time with. He's an ATG for sure, but it doesn't help him that many of the greatest heavyweights of all time happen to have the styles to beat him.
Good post :good Mind you,if Tyson does n't get Frazier out of there early,Joe would outlast Tyson.

[TommyV]

Did he seriously just say 'Foreman is comparable to Liston in many ways, he too had an awesome jab' and then initially pick Tyson to KO him?

[suckeggs]

Tyson is an all-time great. I think he's the best ever.

Without looking at your post count i knew you were a newbie by reading your post. People with not a great deal of boxing knowledge brought into the myth and hype of Tyson.
Anyone with sound knowledge knows Tyson had great hand speed and power but his stamina soon wilted, he wasn't the most accurate, relied on getting up close to his opponent and had some serious mental demons when the fight wasn't going how he wanted it to.
Tyson bowled over a bunch of nobodies, became champ in what is possibly the weakest HW division EVER, then beat Spinks who had no business being in the division and then an old Holmes and everyone claims this makes him immortal.... sorry but i don't buy it. Lewis, Ali, Foreman and PRIME Holmes beat Tyson in my view

[Foreman Hook]

Ali beats him easily. He psychs him out, uses his inhuman toughness and mobility to evade danger till Tyson fades, badly, as he usually did, then just bounces punches off his face for 9 or 10 rounds to a unanimous decision win.

Foreman and Louis have a darn good shot, because of the tools-Namely, they could take Tyson out just as easily as he could them. Pick em fights. I give Tyson the edge over Louis because he had the harder chin, and they had similar lethality in their offenses, where as Foreman was a bit of the lesser fighter, but was much tougher, larger, and was an expert on pounding on shorter guys. I'd give Foreman a small edge because of styles and identity.

Prime Holmes has the tools. If he doesn't use them, he probably gets knocked out, but if he fights the disciplined, tactical fight he was capable of, it puts him over and he decisions Tyson, outpointing him in the same style Buster battled him.

Lewis had everything he needed. I'd bet money on Lewis to beat Tyson prime for prime. He had the size, strength, power, and jab. I don't see Tyson as being able to do what he needs to overcome Lewis-Too weak in the head.

Holyfield, in my eyes, had Tyson's number. I can absolutely understand differing interpretations, but in my mind Holyfield was too tough in every conceivable way.

Sonny Liston batters Mike. That jab and that power is just a nightmare.

Thats my interpretation. Tyson had great tools, but had a piss poor mind, and never fought a good jabber he had a good time with. He's an ATG for sure, but it doesn't help him that many of the greatest heavyweights of all time happen to have the styles to beat him.


Xpert post m8 - I AGREE with teh stuff i quoted. :thumbsup


Foreman Hoooooooooooooooook! :hat

[Foreman Hook]

Without looking at your post count i knew you were a newbie by reading your post. People with not a great deal of boxing knowledge brought into the myth and hype of Tyson.
Anyone with sound knowledge knows Tyson had great hand speed and power but his stamina soon wilted, he wasn't the most accurate, relied on getting up close to his opponent and had some serious mental demons when the fight wasn't going how he wanted it to.
Tyson bowled over a bunch of nobodies, became champ in what is possibly the weakest HW division EVER, then beat Spinks who had no business being in the division and then an old Holmes and everyone claims this makes him immortal.... sorry but i don't buy it. Lewis, Ali, Foreman and PRIME Holmes beat Tyson in my view

Xpert post m8 - you know a shit-ton about Tyson, you a boxing-Xpert. :thumbsup


Foreman Hooooook! :hat

[Stevie G]

Without looking at your post count i knew you were a newbie by reading your post. People with not a great deal of boxing knowledge brought into the myth and hype of Tyson.
Anyone with sound knowledge knows Tyson had great hand speed and power but his stamina soon wilted, he wasn't the most accurate, relied on getting up close to his opponent and had some serious mental demons when the fight wasn't going how he wanted it to.
Tyson bowled over a bunch of nobodies, became champ in what is possibly the weakest HW division EVER, then beat Spinks who had no business being in the division and then an old Holmes and everyone claims this makes him immortal.... sorry but i don't buy it. Lewis, Ali, Foreman and PRIME Holmes beat Tyson in my view
Good assessment :good

[Foreman Hook]

Good assessment :good

Yep it was Xpert. suckeggs ALWAYS tells teh TRUTH about Tyson. :thumbsup

He was a v.overated massive HYPE-JAWB who KO'd useless tomato-can bums who were all INTIMIDATED by him in teh 2ND worst era of all times - except this current even more bloody shitty era IMO. Tiny lght-Heavy Spinks And OLD flabby Holmes were DISGUSTING Mistmatches what NEVER should of been sanctioned - BUT anything mismatch can happen when Don King wants monies!! Tyson was ALWAYS v.mentally weak like a Hormonal teenager And doesnt stand a REALISTIC chance of winning VS any Truly-Great Heavy like Ali, Frazier, Lennox, Louis, Marciani, Foreman, Holmes, Old Foreman, Holyfeild ETC or even V.good prime fighters with Iron-cheens what wouldnt be intimadated like Mercer And Tua.


Foreman Hoooooook!:hat

[ironchamp]

Without looking at your post count i knew you were a newbie by reading your post. People with not a great deal of boxing knowledge brought into the myth and hype of Tyson.
Anyone with sound knowledge knows Tyson had great hand speed and power but his stamina soon wilted, he wasn't the most accurate, relied on getting up close to his opponent and had some serious mental demons when the fight wasn't going how he wanted it to.
Tyson bowled over a bunch of nobodies, became champ in what is possibly the weakest HW division EVER, then beat Spinks who had no business being in the division and then an old Holmes and everyone claims this makes him immortal.... sorry but i don't buy it. Lewis, Ali, Foreman and PRIME Holmes beat Tyson in my view

Without looking at your post count I can tell that you are either a newbie or have the mentality of a newbie who tries to undermine Tyson or other popular fighters to separate yourself from the casual sports fan in an attempt to sound more plugged in.

Knowledgeable posters appreciate all fighters, particularly those who've graced the sport and left a mark or made history. Sophomoric posters know more about boxing than the casual sports fan but they are by no means experts and they want to separate themselves from the crowd by playing the role of a contrarian. That is where you fit in.

Tyson beat alot of tough contenders and has alot of depth in his resume despite lacking a signature win. Take a tally of all the ranked contenders that Mike Tyson beat and compare it to other greats and you'll see that he ranks.

The 80s was possibly one of the most underrated divisions in history.
Its far better than 2000s onwards in terms of quality of fighters.

It's supporting Cast is just as deep as the 70s.


Just so we're clear Spinks was a great fighter but was simply outclassed by what was at the time a phenomenal fighter.

Holmes was simply out-gunned by a fighter who would have always given him trouble at any stage of his career. A 38 year old fighter doesn't suddenly as the years pass. Holmes would have always been a stylistic challenge for Holyfield and Mercer and in his prime he would have beaten them. That's why he performed better.

[combatesdeboxeo]

sorry but i don't buy it. Lewis, Ali, Foreman and PRIME Holmes beat Tyson in my view
i think that tyson would finish holmes, holmes was ko against shavers!!! ko!! but shavers was a bad finisher, tyson might ko holmes, prime vs prime holmes would fight better of course but i can see him ko in 7 rounds or surviving during all the fight, by ud ,tko o ko i can see a prime tyson winning.
lewis didn´t have a great chin, bruno did hurt him, tyson would have his chance.
foreman72-74,holyfield 90-91 and ali64-67would beat tyson for sure.
joe frazier 70-71 .vitali klitschko and joe louis would have 50-50 against mike.
jack jonhson might well frustrate tyson with the clinch , just like smith did, but jonhson had much more stamina.

[combatesdeboxeo]

Holmes would have always been a stylistic challenge for Holyfield and Mercer and in his prime he would have beaten them. That's why he performed better.
of course, i pick a prime holmes to beat holyfield, but styles make fights, holyfield would beat mike, and tyson probably would ko holmes

[Valane]

no the fact that he was heavier does not make him much physically stronger ,,, but just the fact that he simply WAS physically stronger does



I would be very surprised if Mike was stronger than Marciano and to a lesser degree Frazier. Holyfield completely neautralised Mike physically, not the first time that he got outmuscled, he used to get pushed back and neutralised through clinching a lot. Power is not strength and having big muscles does not mean that you are physically stronger than someone.

[ironchamp]

of course, i pick a prime holmes to beat holyfield, but styles make fights, holyfield would beat mike, and tyson probably would ko holmes

Styles makes fights.

I was trying to explain how just because Holmes did better against Holyfield in 1992 it doesn't mean he was that much better than he was in 1988.

He just met a fighter who would have always given him problems.

[alexvoce]

love it how all u so called boxing experts talk about tyson being a myth and hype thsats bullshit he just lost interest in boxing didnt train and blew his money, A prime tyson would kill any other heavyweight ever.

[Stevie G]

love it how all u so called boxing experts talk about tyson being a myth and hype thsats bullshit he just lost interest in boxing didnt train and blew his money, A prime tyson would kill any other heavyweight ever.
You accuse lots of other people of buying into 'Ali hype' but are n't you doing the same with Tyson,Alex ? Anyone would think that Mike's Superman and The Incredible Hulk rolled into one,the way you describe.

[Muchmoore]

Without looking at your post count i knew you were a newbie by reading your post. People with not a great deal of boxing knowledge brought into the myth and hype of Tyson.
Anyone with sound knowledge knows Tyson had great hand speed and power but his stamina soon wilted, he wasn't the most accurate, relied on getting up close to his opponent and had some serious mental demons when the fight wasn't going how he wanted it to.
Tyson bowled over a bunch of nobodies, became champ in what is possibly the weakest HW division EVER, then beat Spinks who had no business being in the division and then an old Holmes and everyone claims this makes him immortal.... sorry but i don't buy it. Lewis, Ali, Foreman and PRIME Holmes beat Tyson in my view

For a guy who "had no business being in the heavyweight division" (Spinks) he certainly did a good job in beating a 48-0 long reigning champ and battering a giant in Cooney :lol:

Also, how is "relying on getting close to his opponent" a negative which counts against Tyson?

[combatesdeboxeo]

love it how all u so called boxing experts talk about tyson being a myth and hype thsats bullshit he just lost interest in boxing didnt train and blew his money, A prime tyson would kill any other heavyweight ever.
your ignorance don´t deserve response
:deal

[tommygun711]

A prime tyson would kill any other heavyweight ever.

I suppose like he killed Tillis, Smith, and Tucker?
Just shut up. Tyson would be a great threat to any great heavyweight but he still gets defeated by most. I rate mike 8, which is completely reasonable.
#1. Muhammad Ali
#2. Joe Louis
#3. Larry Holmes
#4. Lennox Lewis
#5. Sonny Liston
#6. George Foreman
#7. Evander Holyfield
#8. Mike Tyson
#9. Rocky Marciano
#10. Joe Frazier

[Muchmoore]

I suppose like he killed Tillis, Smith, and Tucker?
Just shut up. Tyson would be a great threat to any great heavyweight but he still gets defeated by most. I rate mike 8, which is completely reasonable.
#1. Muhammad Ali
#2. Joe Louis
#3. Larry Holmes
#4. Lennox Lewis
#5. Sonny Liston
#6. George Foreman
#7. Evander Holyfield
#8. Mike Tyson
#9. Rocky Marciano
#10. Joe Frazier

Pretty solid list dudio, why isn't Marciano higher though.

[tommygun711]

Pretty solid list dudio, why isn't Marciano higher though.

Thanks.

I guess it would be smart to rank Rocco higher, but I just can't. I rank head to head very highly in my lists. Acomplishment wise he ranks pretty highly. but head to head he loses to a lot of these guys based on his size and limitations.

[Hydraulix]

I disagree with some of the author's comments and predictions. I've always felt that Tyson would murder Joe Louis. The Brown Bomber never met a skilled puncher like Mike Tyson in his life. I see Tyson slipping the Louis jab and hurting him with a right to the kidney, then flooring him with a right uppercut. Louis would not see Tyson's knockout shots coming.

I invision Tyson knocking out Sonny Liston, too. The fight could go either way, but I think Sonny would get discouraged and hurt by Tyson's body shots. Or, Tyson would get frustrated with Liston's long and thunderous jab. But I see Tyson getting the knockout because Sonny would quit first. I'm talking prime Tyson here. 1985-1988.

The only prediction that made me think was the Larry Holmes fight. A prime Larry would have fought a much better fight, but I think Tyson would still knock him out. Tyson was a finisher, unlike Renaldo Snipes and Earnie Shavers. Tyson would work the body and get the duke eventually. He would have to be patient, but he'd probably knock out Larry late.

[PowerPuncher]

Ass backwards analysis. Marciano never faced men of this quality? What about Iron Mike? If he faced and beat all these men than he would have a point. But using this list that somehow proves his superiority, Tyson only faced and beat the limited Ruddock by 1991-1992. His other scalps during this time: Tillman and Stewart. When he faced Holyfield and Lewis later in his career, he was soundly beaten. Poor, poor argument.

So Ruddock, Tillman, and Stewart are better than all time greats Moore, Charles, and Walcott? :rofl

In the early 90s hed' only had a few fights before going to prison so a silly comparison. Rudduck despite his limitations may well have beat Moore, Walcott, Charles as all 3 had durability issues and Rudduck is a brutal puncher

If you want to do a fair comparison compare Holmes, Spinks, Thomas, Tucker, Rudduck, Tubbs, Bruno to Moore, Charles, LaStarza, Louis, Layne and Walcott. Tyson's has more depth, quality as good on the best wins, different styles, more bigger men

[lefthook31]

I suppose like he killed Tillis, Smith, and Tucker?
Just shut up. Tyson would be a great threat to any great heavyweight but he still gets defeated by most. I rate mike 8, which is completely reasonable.
#1. Muhammad Ali
#2. Joe Louis
#3. Larry Holmes
#4. Lennox Lewis
#5. Sonny Liston
#6. George Foreman
#7. Evander Holyfield
#8. Mike Tyson
#9. Rocky Marciano
#10. Joe Frazier
Your examples of Tyson fights were one sided wins by Tyson.
Tyson at his best would have been a head to head monster for most if not all of the all time greats, and they would admit it. too. Defeated by most. :lol:
Good list, but Lewis is too high

[Kalasinn]

I have too much trouble deciding where to place Louis, for me to make a Heavyweight H2H list.

[turpinr]

I suppose like he killed Tillis, Smith, and Tucker?
Just shut up. Tyson would be a great threat to any great heavyweight but he still gets defeated by most. I rate mike 8, which is completely reasonable.
#1. Muhammad Ali
#2. Joe Louis
#3. Larry Holmes
#4. Lennox Lewis
#5. Sonny Liston
#6. George Foreman
#7. Evander Holyfield
#8. Mike Tyson
#9. Rocky Marciano
#10. Joe Frazierthats a belting list 9/10:good

[combatesdeboxeo]

I suppose like he killed Tillis, Smith, and Tucker?
Just shut up. Tyson would be a great threat to any great heavyweight but he still gets defeated by most. I rate mike 8, which is completely reasonable.
#1. Muhammad Ali
#2. Joe Louis
#3. Larry Holmes
#4. Lennox Lewis
#5. Sonny Liston
#6. George Foreman
#7. Evander Holyfield
#8. Mike Tyson
#9. Rocky Marciano
#10. Joe Frazier
according the careers

no teven in dreams liston is above george foreman. foreman destroyed norton and joe frazier twice, george chuvalo,michael moorer,gerry cooney,bert cooper... norton and frazier did beat muhammad ali.
foreman in his 40s won the title after to be retired during 10 years.
liston did beat floyd patterson(185pounds) and cleveland williams (not a great thing) end of the history.
joe frazier did beat a 29 years old muhammad ali ,bonavena,quarry,chuvalo and he gave wars to ali.
frazier is above liston in the history.
marciano and frazier are above tyson. rocky didn´t beat the best opposition, but he did beat the best boxers of his era and he was undefeated, tyson lost against holyfield,lewis,douglas.. .
holyfield ,marciano, frazier and foreman are above lennox lewis.
evander was a cruiser and he was fighting against super hws, he is the only 4 times hw champion of the world.
larry holmes honestly he was great but also he fought wars against average boxers like berbick, spoon, smith, weaver, past prime norton, past prime shavers...
other thing is who would win...
liston would have chance against several legends, but his career doesn´t deserve top 10.
in my mind prime tyson or frazier would have beat prime holmes, but holmes is above them in the history. liston would have beat marciano,lewis,holyfield,tyson,dempsey. but he is not top 10 in the history. vitali klitschko is not top 10 but he might well beat several legends.
1_ALI
2_LOUIS
3_JONHSON
4_FOREMAN(OLDEST HW CHAMP EVER)
5_HOLMES
6_FRAZIER
7_HOLYFIELD
8_LEWIS
9_JACK DEMPSEY
10_ MIKE TYSON (THE YOUNGEST HW CHAMP EVER)

[combatesdeboxeo]

A prime Larry would have fought a much better fight, but I think Tyson would still knock him out. Tyson was a finisher, unlike Renaldo Snipes and Earnie Shavers. Tyson would work the body and get the duke eventually. He would have to be patient, but he'd probably knock out Larry late.
:happy i agree absolutely

[reznick]

I enjoyed the article a lot.

I enjoyed his 2004 updates, and his corrections to the Johnson prediction.

I also agree with him on the Liston Ali and Foreman fights 100%

[The Mongoose]

In the early 90s hed' only had a few fights before going to prison so a silly comparison. Rudduck despite his limitations may well have beat Moore, Walcott, Charles as all 3 had durability issues and Rudduck is a brutal puncher

If you want to do a fair comparison compare Holmes, Spinks, Thomas, Tucker, Rudduck, Tubbs, Bruno to Moore, Charles, LaStarza, Louis, Layne and Walcott. Tyson's has more depth, quality as good on the best wins, different styles, more bigger men
:patsch

Geez, PowerPuncher could it be I was writing in response to the paragraph I quoted?

2004 Update: I have continued to rate Marciano in my top 10 all time heavyweights. The top heavyweights in 92 were Tyson-Bowe-Holyfield-Lewis-Ruddock-Witherspoon, so saying that Marciano had never faced a heavyweight of that quality was true.

-So yes, I feel it is stupid to suggest Maricano needs to prove himself against these specific fighters when Tyson himself most certainly did not.

-I agree on that point. Comparing the fighters Marciano and Tyson actually faced is more useful. Though your conclusions are troubling but not surprising.

[The Mongoose]

Here’s an interesting breakdown of the two men’s careers. The difference in opposition are fairly superifical, its the results that really set them apart.


Rocky Maricano 49-0 Top 10: 11-0 Top 5: 9-0
Mike Tyson 50-6 Top 10: 13-4 Top 5: 6-3


Marciano vs. Hall of Famers:
6-0

Vs. Louis ranking: #1 age: 37 +9 years
Vs. Walcott ranking: Champion age: 38 +9years
Vs. Walcott ranking: #1 age: 39 +9 years
Vs. Charles ranking: #2 age: 33 +2 years
Vs. Charles ranking: #2 age: 33 +2 years
Vs. Moore ranking: #1 age: 39 + 7 years
avg: 36 avg. 5+

Tyson vs. Hall of Famers(or future canditates):
2-3

Vs. Spinks ranking: Champion age: 32 +10
Vs. Holmes ranking: not ranked in 2years age: 39 + 17
Vs. Holyfield ranking: #5 age: 34 + 4
Vs. Holyfield ranking: #1 age: 35 +4
Vs Lewis ranking: Champion age: 37 +1
avg. 35 avg. 7+

[Kalasinn]

Holmes was 38.

Holyfield was still 34 in the rematch.

Lewis was 36, but significantly better conditioned than he was against Vitali, as evidence by his weight, muscle-tone & stamina.

[The Mongoose]

Holmes was 38.

Holyfield was still 34 in the rematch.

Lewis was 36, but significantly better conditioned than he was against Vitali, as evidence by his weight, muscle-tone & stamina.

Lewis was a few months shy of 37, I rounded up in all cases to simplify; month by month would be too tedious and sometimes misleading. For instance Rocky had just turned 33 by the time of the Moore fight, so on paper it would look like there was 6 years between them when in fact it is closer to 7.

[combatesdeboxeo]

Here’s an interesting breakdown of the two men’s careers. The difference in opposition are fairly superifical, its the results that really set them apart.


Rocky Maricano 49-0 Top 10: 11-0 Top 5: 9-0
Mike Tyson 50-6 Top 10: 13-4 Top 5: 6-3


Marciano vs. Hall of Famers:
6-0

Vs. Louis ranking: #1 age: 37 +9 years
Vs. Walcott ranking: Champion age: 38 +9years
Vs. Walcott ranking: #1 age: 39 +9 years
Vs. Charles ranking: #2 age: 33 +2 years
Vs. Charles ranking: #2 age: 33 +2 years
Vs. Moore ranking: #1 age: 39 + 7 years
avg: 36 avg. 5+

Tyson vs. Hall of Famers(or future canditates):
2-3

Vs. Spinks ranking: Champion age: 32 +10
Vs. Holmes ranking: not ranked in 2years age: 39 + 17
Vs. Holyfield ranking: #5 age: 34 + 4
Vs. Holyfield ranking: #1 age: 35 +4
Vs Lewis ranking: Champion age: 37 +1
avg. 35 avg. 7+
spinks was a great lhw,not a hw. several hws would have killed him

[Stevie G]

spinks was a great lhw,not a hw. several hws would have killed him
True. As a heavyweight,it was simply a case of Michael being in the right place at the right time.