Mike Tyson is so overrated by casual fans

[Journeymen]

GREAT FOR ABOUT 2 YRS. OVERALL OVER RATED
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ExPug

[drunkenpiper36]

Mike Tyson was a great fighter.. But yes, he is overrated, especially by casual fans who's only exposure to boxing is the media hype and not the technical details or nuances of the sport in depth. His prime was a brilliant one, but also preciously short lived. And while I've always believed that he was poorly prepared against James Douglas in February of 1990, it was his own fault and contrary to his supporters, yes that loss DOES count against him. Today he usually makes the lower part of my top 10. But I've encountered fans on websites or in bar room conversations that would readily pick him to beat ANYONE who ever stepped in a ring,and that is the very definition of overrated.

[Tony1244]

Mike Tyson was a great fighter.. But yes, he is overrated, especially by casual fans who's only exposure to boxing is the media hype and not the technical details or nuances of the sport in depth. His prime was a brilliant one, but also preciously short lived. And while I've always believed that he was poorly prepared against James Douglas in February of 1990, it was his own fault and contrary to his supporters, yes that loss DOES count against him. Today he usually makes the lower part of my top 10. But I've encountered fans on websites or in bar room conversations that would readily pick him to beat ANYONE who ever stepped in a ring,and that is the very definition of overrated.

You are right on the mark. People used to overrate Jack Dempsey in a similar light. Certainly Tyson could have been better for longer but he liked to abuse his substances as he has readily admitted. But that is part of the equation. As Yogi Berra said "Sports is 50% physical, the other 90% is mental," or something like that.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Mike Tyson was a great fighter.. But yes, he is overrated, especially by casual fans who's only exposure to boxing is the media hype and not the technical details or nuances of the sport in depth. His prime was a brilliant one, but also preciously short lived. And while I've always believed that he was poorly prepared against James Douglas in February of 1990, it was his own fault and contrary to his supporters, yes that loss DOES count against him. Today he usually makes the lower part of my top 10. But I've encountered fans on websites or in bar room conversations that would readily pick him to beat ANYONE who ever stepped in a ring,and that is the very definition of overrated.

Totally concur. You can't rate a heavyweight too highly if they have a very brief prime. Part of greatness is maintaining your prime for as long as possible.

On any given night, Mike in his prime gives any heavyweight in history murders for 4 rounds. The top guys beat him because they were mentally stronger and could rally from adversity.

Top 10, I'd say so. Hard to pick 10 heavyweights with a better claim.

[ElJefe]

Overrated by many casual fans. Underrated by many hardcore fans.

I think because of the obsession with Tyson from the general sports public/casual boxing fans, there is a tendency for proper boxing fans to go too far the other way and to show off their knowledge on boxing by coming up with a way to discredit his achievements.

I'd probably have him just outside the top 10. Amazing to watch at his best and could have done so much more, but the lack of longevity and signature wins stop me from ranking him over some really great heavyweights. That's just my personal opinion.

Mike Tyson was a great fighter.. But yes, he is overrated, especially by casual fans who's only exposure to boxing is the media hype and not the technical details or nuances of the sport in depth. His prime was a brilliant one, but also preciously short lived. And while I've always believed that he was poorly prepared against James Douglas in February of 1990, it was his own fault and contrary to his supporters, yes that loss DOES count against him. Today he usually makes the lower part of my top 10. But I've encountered fans on websites or in bar room conversations that would readily pick him to beat ANYONE who ever stepped in a ring,and that is the very definition of overrated.

Just read this post. Can't really argue with that.