Was Tyson P4P the best?

[Danny]

When Tyson was at his peak during the late 1980's, Ring magazine had him ranked not only the best HW, but also the best boxer, P4P in the world. Now, remember there were other fighters who you feel could possibly warrant a claim to being considered P4P the best, like Chavez & Whitaker.

Personally, I feel Tyson did merit being ranked as the best fighter, P4P.

Thoughts?

[hdog]

Absolutely not.

[Thread Stealer]

He was ranked #1 p4p in the magazines, although Chavez was more deserving.

[coronacards]

Absolutely YES...at his peak, Tyson was never challenged. During that time, he was the P4P best, most dominant, etc.

Whitaker and Chavez were legitimately challenged, Tyson was not. They were hurt in the ring, Tyson was not. They were knocked down, Tyson was not.

Tyson was so much better than the heavyweight division, I can't help but think he was P4P best...

[hdog]

Absolutely YES...at his peak, Tyson was never challenged. During that time, he was the P4P best, most dominant, etc.

Whitaker and Chavez were legitimately challenged, Tyson was not. They were hurt in the ring, Tyson was not. They were knocked down, Tyson was not.

Tyson was so much better than the heavyweight division, I can't help but think he was P4P best...

He wasn't challenged because the fighters were just simply not very good. When he was challenged, he lost.

[My dinner with Conteh]

He only became #1 when Hagler retired. The only real opposition at that time was Chavez, not Whitaker (until 1990), so 1 or 2 was very fair.

[SgrRyLeonard]

After the Spinks fight, he deserved to be #1.

[ironchamp]

He wasn't challenged because the fighters were just simply not very good. When he was challenged, he lost.

Pinklon Thomas was in the Ring Magazine rankings as well. He was top 10 p4p all divisions included in the mid 80s.

Tyson KO6.

It's really a testament to his ability that he was able to garner such respect for his skill set as opposed to just certain attributes.

[Robbi]

Tyson was among the pound for pound best fighters during the late 80's. Without question top three, which is rare for a heavyweight during any era. No heavyweight since has been considered so high by the vast majority of fans and press.

[hdog]

Pinklon Thomas was in the Ring Magazine rankings as well. He was top 10 p4p all divisions included in the mid 80s.

Tyson KO6.

It's really a testament to his ability that he was able to garner such respect for his skill set as opposed to just certain attributes.

Pinklon Thomas was coked out half of the time (as it seems most of the 80's heavies were).

Heavyweights generally don't impress me. They're almost never the top fighters pfp.

[Minotauro]

Chavez was 1 p4p at the time his list of opponents were much more impressive.

[rekcutnevets]

In hindsight, no.

At the time, it made sense. Tyson was a media magnet, and he was running through the division like it was nothing. He seemed unstoppable. If we were posting on a forum then, he probably would have been LB. for LB. in most threads and posts.

[Thread Stealer]

When Tyson fought Spinks? I think not. Those taxi can drivers weren't on the level of the guys Mike fought. By that time Chavez's list wasn't that good, and Tyson was far more impressive.

:?

Edwin Rosario and Jose Luis Ramiarez weren't any good?

[JohnThomas1]

Tyson deserved it, he totally overwhelmed his opposition for a period and ducked no-one. His dominance was what put him 1.

[Robbi]

Tyson deserved it, he totally overwhelmed his opposition for a period and ducked no-one. His dominance was what put him 1.


Anyone who goes about their business in such a distinctive manner and cleans out an entire division has to be number one, or thereabouts. The win which really rocketed Tyson into "pound for pound" consideration was the Spinks win.

[bigG]

i think tysons 'post peak' performances, in and out of the ring, have tarnished his memory for many.....when i was growing up, tyson was THE dominant heavyweight, the most famous boxer in the world, and one of the most recogniseable celebrities in the world....oh, and he could fight.....before buster douglas shattered mikeys fragile self belief, before his cloak of invincibility was cruelly ripped from his shoulders, the guy was human wrecking ball, tearing thru a still reasonable heavyweight division like a minature red army tank....the guys tyson beat on the way up and as champion were as good as the guys from many eras......

[Vantage_West]

Tyson was among the pound for pound best fighters during the late 80's. Without question top three, which is rare for a heavyweight during any era. No heavyweight since has been considered so high by the vast majority of fans and press.good points man :good

[Vantage_West]

isnt it surprising that when mike tyson ( a king fighter) losses chavez is now the pound 4 pound fighter(another king fighter)

[itliangladiator]

Absolutely YES...at his peak, Tyson was never challenged. During that time, he was the P4P best, most dominant, etc.

Whitaker and Chavez were legitimately challenged, Tyson was not. They were hurt in the ring, Tyson was not. They were knocked down, Tyson was not.

Tyson was so much better than the heavyweight division, I can't help but think he was P4P best...

Agreed my man. Agreed.

[Bigcat]

Very good observation by someone there..

Both Mike and Pinklon were both in the P4P standings in the 80's..

Rare for heavyweights.........