Mike Tyson: Best win?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Carrying on with my 'Best Win Series'..



He had a record 50 wins, with 44 KO's!

Record:

Had a record of 12-4 (10 KO) in world title fights.
Had a record of 3-2 (3 KO) in lineal title fights.
Had a record of 11-4-0-1 (9 KO) against former or current world titlists.

Which was his best and/or defining win?

What was his best KO win?

Some names that he has fought include:

Trevor Berbick
Tony Tucker
Tyrell Biggs
Larry Holmes
Michael Spinks
Frank Bruno
Donovan Ruddock
Buster Mathis Jr.
Bruce Seldon

--------------------
Another question..

Regardless of win/loss.. Who was his best opponent?

From the list above, this would include the likes of:

James 'Buster' Douglas
Evander Holyfield
Lennox Lewis

[elmersalsa]

The great Mike Tyson's greatest win and defining fight was against the great Michael Spinks. It only took 91 seconds! And it was for all the marbles: The Undisputed Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Now, if we speak about his most courageous win, that would be Razor Ruddock fight number 2. Tyson demonstrated that he had the heart, will and determination that night. Or maybe his fight with James "Quick" Tillis where a young Tyson fought someone that had much more experience than he and went the distance for ten rounds against a guy that was not intimidated one bit.

His best knockout win was when he stopped the great Larry Holmes. He was the only guy that ever beat Holmes by knockout.

His best opponent win or lose? It gotta be the great Evander Holyfield.
His best opponent skillwise? It would be James "Buster" Douglas.

[Ruthless-RKO]

His best knockout win was when he stopped the great Larry Holmes. He was the only guy that ever beat Holmes by knockout.

Some on here will say Holmes hadn't fought for 2 years and he was way past his best.

Thanks for your comment.

[elmersalsa]

His best knockout win was when he stopped the great Larry Holmes. He was the only guy that ever beat Holmes by knockout.

Some on here will say Holmes hadn't fought for 2 years and he was way past his best.

Thanks for your comment.

Prime or not, it was a brutal knockout. One of the most brutal knockouts in boxing history.

[SenorPipino]

The Spinks KO was Tyson's signature win.

Even if it was accomplished against a bloated light heavy, Spinks was still an accomplished foe, and Tyson blew him away in little more than a New Jersey minute.

After that though, Tyson's career took a slow turn downward.

[Ruthless-RKO]

His best knockout win was when he stopped the great Larry Holmes. He was the only guy that ever beat Holmes by knockout.

Some on here will say Holmes hadn't fought for 2 years and he was way past his best.

Thanks for your comment.

Prime or not, it was a brutal knockout. One of the most brutal knockouts in boxing history.

I agree with you. I was referring to the part where you said he was the only guy to stop Holmes. But yeh, like I said. top KO.

[Boxing Writer]

Spinks and Holmes. Thought Spinks was a natural light heavyweight, he beat great (while past prime) Larry Holmes and easily dispatched huge Gerry Cooney. Holmes was great, great fighter, but he was old, rusty and far from his best shape. So, while Tyson's run in the second half of 80s was really impresive, he never beat great HW who was close to his prime.

[Kalan]

Spinks and Holmes ..... He never beat a great HW who was close to his prime.

How about Michael Spinks??? .... He beat ATG Larry Holmes twice -- when he was active and 48-0

And as for being a Light Heavyweight? .... I've never seen a Light Heavyweight who weighed 212... Evander Holyfield weighed 208 for a couple of his more significant fights... including Douglas...

There've been many Heavyweight Champions who fought as Light Heavyweights for more fights than Spinks....including Tunney, Braddock, Charles, Patterson, Burns, and Fitzsimmons,... Spinks certainly fought more Heavyweight Championship Fights than Tunney, Braddock, or Fitzsimmons... but somehow he was not a Heavyweight.

[Controversial]

So, while Tyson's run in the second half of 80s was really impresive, he never beat great HW who was close to his prime.

Who did Holmes beat that was great and close to their prime? Marciano? Or how about Liston? Or the Klits?

McCall beating Lewis is a far more impressive win than most HWs ever managed.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Who did Holmes beat that was great and close to their prime? Marciano? Or how about Liston? Or the Klits?

Wlad defeated a few in their prime..

[Controversial]

Who did Holmes beat that was great and close to their prime? Marciano? Or how about Liston? Or the Klits?

Wlad defeated a few in their prime..

Maybe you missed the word “great” from my post lol

[Ruthless-RKO]

Who did Holmes beat that was great and close to their prime? Marciano? Or how about Liston? Or the Klits?

Wlad defeated a few in their prime..

Maybe you missed the word “great” from my post lol

Ah..

[DrDuke]

Which was his best and/or defining win?

Spinks, as he was the biggest name in prime Tyson had defeated and truly a classy fighter (Holmes was actually even bigger name, but he was obviously past-prime).

What was his best KO win?

Marvis Frazier, because it was just brutal. And it's his fastest KO win, as I remember.

Regardless of win/loss.. Who was his best opponent?

Lennox Lewis. And then Holyfield.

[Kalan]

That's true.... But this is about Mike Tyson's best win -- not his worst loss.

Lewis's worst loss was against Hasim Rahman.... He was acting a bit silly in that fight when he got leveled.

Tyson's best win -- The subject matter here -- was UNDEFEATED LINEAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION Michael Spinks.

Iron Mike was the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World after that spectacular 91-second Blitzkrieg!!!

And he was 21.... What did you accomplish by the time you were 21 Old-N-Moldie?

[HomicideHenry]

Best win... Historically it's Spinks for the undisputed championship of the world... But knowing what we know about Spinks being scared to death, having back and knee problems, and him not truly ever being a legitimate heavyweight who outright ducked legitimate contenders: it's not his best win in terms of "all in their prime" and being a genuine challenge.

I'd argue his annihilation of Berbick was better. His kayo of Holmes was better (Why? Nobody else ever done it) and call me crazy, but his kayo of Tubbs was pretty damn impressive. But probably his greatest challenge was Tucker. I'd nominate THAT fight as his best win in his prime. Why? Tucker was physically superior, had an amazing record, was a threat to the elites for a long, long time. Hell, even George Foreman ducked Tucker. Yet, Tyson beat him and by a wide margin.

[Kalan]

To you Tyson wins came against "drunks, junkies, misfits, cripples, and old inactive men" and only his losses were legit.

You have no interest in anything Tyson accomplished and you love to make up sexual histories and backgrounds for posters who have opposing arguments... That's the way you go through life you poor bastard.

[Tomasino]

To you Tyson wins came against "drunks, junkies, misfits, cripples, and old inactive men" and only his losses were legit.

You have no interest in anything Tyson accomplished and you love to make up sexual histories and backgrounds for posters who have opposing arguments... That's the way you go through life you poor bastard.

Kolon, when was the last time you gave your mum a gobble?

[oogiebe]

Michael Spinks.

[gilgamesh]

Michael Spinks.

Yep gotta go with Spinks

[oogiebe]

Best win... Historically it's Spinks for the undisputed championship of the world... But knowing what we know about Spinks being scared to death, having back and knee problems, and him not truly ever being a legitimate heavyweight who outright ducked legitimate contenders: it's not his best win in terms of "all in their prime" and being a genuine challenge.

I'd argue his annihilation of Berbick was better. His kayo of Holmes was better (Why? Nobody else ever done it) and call me crazy, but his kayo of Tubbs was pretty damn impressive. But probably his greatest challenge was Tucker. I'd nominate THAT fight as his best win in his prime. Why? Tucker was physically superior, had an amazing record, was a threat to the elites for a long, long time. Hell, even George Foreman ducked Tucker. Yet, Tyson beat him and by a wide margin.

All fair points. While I'll stick with Spinks, Tucker deserves more attention than he gets.

[elmersalsa]

Mike Tyson

Defining Fight: WKO1 Michael Spinks...June 27, 1988..."91 seconds!"

Other Defining Fights: WTKO2 Trevor Berbick, W12 Tony Tucker, WTKO4 Larry Holmes, LTKO10 Buster Douglas, WTKO7 Razor Ruddock (I), WTKO3 Frank Bruno (II), and LTKO11 Evander Holyfield (I).

The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year in 1986 and 1988.

Made 10 Title Defenses of the Heavyweight world crown.

Won his first 37 bouts.

Has 23 KO wins in the first round.

At 20 years old, became The youngest heavyweight world champion in boxing history.

Other great wins: WTKO8 Pinklon Thomas, WTKO1 Carl "The Truth" Williams, W12 Bonecrusher Smith, and WTKO7 Tyrell Biggs.

Beat a total of 9 world champions and 2 hall of fame boxers.

[goose 5]

I'd say Ruddock was the best man Tyson beat as a pro.I'd take Ruddock over anybody that Tyson beat, when he beat them.

[Onamastus]

I'd say Ruddock was the best man Tyson beat as a pro.I'd take Ruddock over anybody that Tyson beat, when he beat them.

Really? I just can't envision Ruddock beating Tucker.

[f read]

The great Mike Tyson's greatest win and defining fight was against the great Michael Spinks. It only took 91 seconds! And it was for all the marbles: The Undisputed Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Now, if we speak about his most courageous win, that would be Razor Ruddock fight number 2. Tyson demonstrated that he had the heart, will and determination that night. Or maybe his fight with James "Quick" Tillis where a young Tyson fought someone that had much more experience than he and went the distance for ten rounds against a guy that was not intimidated one bit.

His best knockout win was when he stopped the great Larry Holmes. He was the only guy that ever beat Holmes by knockout.

His best opponent win or lose? It gotta be the great Evander Holyfield.
His best opponent skillwise? It would be James "Buster" Douglas.

I would agree with you.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Spinks