The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time

[elmersalsa]

I like Tyson a lot but it doesn't seem right to see him on the list. Popularity and impact, yes, but greatest 100 fighters? Not when you've already confirmed the following fighters are missing: Felix "Tito" Trinidad, Jack Delaney, Johnny Kilbane, Tommy Gibbons, Mike Gibbons, Lloyd Marshall, Harold Johnson, Peerless Jim Driscoll, James Toney. I can't see a case for Tyson being greater than any of them and Vicente Saldivar who's already been ranked.

That said, brilliant fighter in his peak just not quite a great one IMO.

I see your point. Thanks.

[elmersalsa]

I just saw the Mike Tyson vs Trevor Berbick fight. What a display of raw power by Iron Mike! Man, can he hit! He and the great Roy Jones, Jr are the ONLY FIGHTERS that I have seen with the RARE COMBINATION of speed and power. Look at those hands fly! And Tyson was only 20?

[chrisjs1985]

I just saw the Mike Tyson vs Trevor Berbick fight. What a display of raw power by Iron Mike! Man, can he hit! He and the great Roy Jones, Jr are the ONLY FIGHTERS that I have seen with the RARE COMBINATION of speed and power. Look at those hands fly! And Tyson was only 20?

Pacquaio had crazy speed and power too before he stuck to the welterweight division.

[elmersalsa]

I just saw the Mike Tyson vs Trevor Berbick fight. What a display of raw power by Iron Mike! Man, can he hit! He and the great Roy Jones, Jr are the ONLY FIGHTERS that I have seen with the RARE COMBINATION of speed and power. Look at those hands fly! And Tyson was only 20?

Pacquaio had crazy speed and power too before he stuck to the welterweight division.

That is more impressive by the hands of Manny Pacquiao. It is hard to have the same hand speed while going up in weight. Not to mention also to have the same speed and power at the same time.

That is really hard to do.

[Jaywheel]

Like you would know.

[elmersalsa]

Like you would know.

Nobody has to tell me that is hard. Most of the times, A boxer loses speed and power going up in weight. I have seen it plenty of times.

[elmersalsa]

And speaking about the phenom, the great Iron Mike Tyson, his career like many others, could be divided into three parts:
1. Before going to jail in 1992
2. After coming back from jail
3. After biting the great Evander Holyfield in the ear.

Consider this, in 1986, Tyson fought 13 times! He won 11 by knockout that year. He won his first world title and first The Ring Fighter of the Year award. It was one of boxing's greatest careers in a year's time.

Before going to jail, he bobbed and weaved brilliantly. He was perpetual motion and could punch from different angles. And he was just 19 years old to his early twenties.

His trainer, Kevin Rooney had him in check and in shape. Tyson was learning in each fight.

After the departure of Rooney, is where this fighting machine started to deteriorate by each fight. No more bobbing and weaving, no combinations, no more punching from angles. He became a stationary target. He had the potential to be probably the greatest heavyweight champion in history.

[elmersalsa]

James "Quick" Tillis gave Iron Mike all he could handle. It was a great scrap from start to finish. In round 4, Tillis got dropped by a left hook. Tyson see him up in an angle, and boom! Tillis went down. It was Tyson's toughest fight before winning the title. The knockdown was the difference in the fight. I scored it 97-95, Tyson.

[elmersalsa]

Mike Tyson fought also Mitch "Blood" Green at New York City's Madison Square Garden in 1986. That was after Tyson fight against James "Quick" Tillis. It was the second fight in a row that Tyson could not stop an opponent. Was it that the opposition was getting better or that Tyson wasn't as good as people thought at the time?

Iron Mike won almost every round in my book, although Green defended himself here and there. Green was fighting for survival mode most of the night. In my view, Green only won round 8. That's it.

Now, Tyson was showing signs that in the clinches, he wasn't that effective. Maybe Green did a great job holding him when Tyson rushed in. But, still, I think that Tyson needed much more improvement when fighting inside. Like he was comfortably resting in Green's chest and wasn't using combinations. His head movement was off the chain, though. And he showed that he could go 10 rounds. Green also hit him, and Tyson showed that he had a pretty good chin. Tyson won 9 rounds to one in my view.

[elmersalsa]

Mike Tyson gets closer to the Heavyweight Championship when he easily dispatched Alfonso Ratliff in two rounds. The knockout punch is back!

[MikoTuna]

We've recently interviewed Sammy McCarthy - British champion from Stepney. One of the greatest British boxers. 88' year old gentleman talks about his carrier and life.

Top stuff here:

[elmersalsa]

Thanks

[elmersalsa]

Thanks

[elmersalsa]

Watching the great Mike Tyson fight was like watching a movie. He was so exciting inside that ring. I just watch his one-sided TKO win against Cuban Jose Ribalta. Ribalta was game but a little limited. His punches weren't giving Tyson no effect whatsoever. He went down to the canvas about 3 times in three different rounds. He was 6'6" but about 225lbs. He didn't use his physical advantages like he should. Ribalta probably won one round the whole entire fight. Tyson stopped him in the tenth. Tyson was throwing more punches and combinations than in the Mitch "Blood" Green fight.

[elmersalsa]

Does anyone know why Mitch "Blood" Green retired after fighting Iron Mike Tyson in 1986? He came back 7 years later. He was pretty good of what I have seen of him. He had a good jab, moved well around the ring, quick and could take a punch. He also had a great height and weight for a heavyweight. What really happened to him?

[elmersalsa]

What it was supposed to be a heavyweight explosive slugfest, it became a stinker. James "Bonecrusher" Smith didn't fight, and didn't let nobody fight. He grabbed Iron Mike all night long for 12 rounds. He was fighting for survival. Weighing at 233lbs and being 6'4", he let the big men down. It was a lopsided win for Tyson by unanimous decision.

[elmersalsa]

Mike Tyson versus Pinklon Thomas. Looking back, we forgot that Thomas was a good boxer. He beat Tim Witherspoon for the title. I don't know how did he lost his title to a guy like Trevor Berbick. Maybe the drug problems were creeping up on him.

He gave Iron Mike a decent fight. His jab was good, but his right hand was kind of slow. The judges by round 6 had it 49-46 (twice) and 50-44 in the other card in favor of Tyson.
That was not good judging at all! I didn't see no one dominating the fight. Pinklon said that he was doing good until his corner changed his left glove. The thumb finger was not feeling right when he put the glove on. That's why he said he lost.

I had the fight tied at the time of the stoppage 49-49. There wasn't enough action between rounds 3 and 5. In round 6, Tyson opened up and put Thomas on the canvas with some of the most wicked combinations that have ever been seen at heavyweight history.

Tyson vs Tony Tucker for all the heavyweight crowns was a good fight. Not too much action like people anticipated because of Tucker's tactics, but he used those tactics very well. He was moving around the ring good, not giving Iron Mike a clean target to hit. My problem with Tucker was that he should have been much more aggressive. Tyson won deservedly on points. He was the busier fighter. End of story. The great Mike Tyson at 21 years of age unified all the crowns and became the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World.

After losing to Tyson by knockout, Thomas lost to the great Evander Holyfield by knockout two years later. Thomas was 29-1-1 by the time he fought Tyson. In 1992, Thomas fought 13 times! Unbelievable! He won all the fights that year.

[elmersalsa]

Mike Tyson vs Tyrell Biggs. Biggs was 6'5", but he didn't had the right weight and body frame like Riddick Bowe. He was somewhat elusive like the great Muhammad Ali. Same jab, same style, but not the heart and determination like Ali. Plus Biggs could not hurt a fly. Ali had a punch. At least a respectable one. I think that they threw Biggs to the shark too early. He was undefeated yes, but with only 15 fights. He wasn't polished yet. I don't know why his manager and trainer Lou Duva sent him to fight the champion that quick. It was suicidal.

Biggs won the first two rounds with his boxing and stinging like a bee style, but after round 2 it was all Tyson! Tyson hit Biggs with a left hook in the third and it opened the cut that Biggs had over his left eye when Biggs fought David Bey.

Tyson wanted to punish Biggs. This animosity came after Biggs won the gold medal at the '84 Olympics. Tyson was eliminated by Henry Tillmann in the box-offs. Some say that Tyson won those fights with Tillmann. Ironically, Biggs beat the great Lennox Lewis in the '84 Olympics quarterfinals. Lewis took his revenge at the pro level. Tyson also had his revenge with Tillmann, knocking him out in one round.

Tyson was throwing some dirty punches. He used his elbows and forearms on Biggs' face. Biggs' face was a TOTAL MESS! Also, Biggs didn't had the strength and endurance of Tyson. This was one of Iron Mike's greatest performances. It was over by a left hook on Biggs' chin. Biggs got up and went down with a quick four-punch combination by Tyson and that was it. Tyson retains his world crown by technical knockout in 7 rounds.

[elmersalsa]

This is Mike Tyson at his peak. At his very best. Iron Mike fight against The Easton Assassin was a massacre. A Savage exhibition of Iron Mike's power was something to behold. Nobody felt sorry for the great Larry Holmes when Tyson decked him three times in the 4th round. Like if everybody was laughing and happy for his fall. That last left hook that Tyson threw at Larry's jaw was brutal! Holmes went down like a tree backwards. It was the passing of the torch of the old great champ to the new great champ. Holmes was 38. Tyson was 21. A 17-year difference.

Tyson then quickly dispatched former World champion Tony Tubbs of Cincinnati, OH in Tokyo, Japan. It was just a round and a half of quick work. Tubbs was trying to slug it out with Tyson . Probably was trying to intimidate the young turk. But a left hook to the forehead of Tubbs was all that Tyson needed it. Tubbs went down and immediately his seconds stopped the contest.


Did the great Muhammad Ali whispered in Tyson's ear to kill the great Larry Holmes? It was karma and vindication for a lot of people that loved the Greatest.

[Ambling Alp II]

Next? A fighter that didn't need no introduction in the world over. His name? "Iron" Mike Tyson!

96. Mike Tyson.
Record: 50-6, 2NC, 44KOs
88% KO pct
Career: 1985-2005
Titles Held: World Heavyweight Champion (1986-90), WBA and WBC World Heavyweight Champion (1996).

Historical Impact: Love him or hate him, it was a must to see him fight. Won the heavyweight crown at age of 20, becoming the youngest man ever to do it. A cultural and global boxing icon that changed the game of boxing. Was one of the most feared heavyweights ever. Had a ferocity never seen at heavyweight since the days of the great Jack Dempsey. Also like Dempsey, Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali before him, was the face of the heavyweight division and the boxing world of the late 80s and 90s decade. Revived the heavyweight division scene with quick one-round knockout wins. One of the 1980s decade greatest fighters, is also considered one of boxing's 100 all time pound per pound greatest KO artists.

Defining Fight: WKO1 Michael Spinks.....June 27, 1988....."91 Seconds!"
Other Defining Bouts: WTKO2 Trevor Berbick, W12 Tony Tucker, WTKO4 Larry Holmes, LKO10 Buster Douglas, LTKO11 Evander Holyfield and LDQ3 Evander Holyfield (II)

Accomplishments: Two-time Heavyweight World Champion. Made 10 successful title defenses in his first reign. Cleaned up the heavyweight division in the late 80s decade. Won first 19 bouts by knockout. Went undefeated in his first 37 fights, winning all of them. Scored 22 first-round knockouts. Beat 10 world champions. Record vs world champions is 11-4, 8KOs. The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year in 1986 and 1988. Beat 2 out of 4 Hall of Fame boxers. Record vs hall of famers is 2-3, 2KOs.

What are your thoughts of this giant and legendary boxer?

His KO% is only about 79 % You have to count the 6 losses as well. I don't think No-Contests should count in figuring it out, though some do. That would drop it to about 76%.

[elmersalsa]

Next? A fighter that didn't need no introduction in the world over. His name? "Iron" Mike Tyson!

96. Mike Tyson.
Record: 50-6, 2NC, 44KOs
88% KO pct
Career: 1985-2005
Titles Held: World Heavyweight Champion (1986-90), WBA and WBC World Heavyweight Champion (1996).

Historical Impact: Love him or hate him, it was a must to see him fight. Won the heavyweight crown at age of 20, becoming the youngest man ever to do it. A cultural and global boxing icon that changed the game of boxing. Was one of the most feared heavyweights ever. Had a ferocity never seen at heavyweight since the days of the great Jack Dempsey. Also like Dempsey, Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali before him, was the face of the heavyweight division and the boxing world of the late 80s and 90s decade. Revived the heavyweight division scene with quick one-round knockout wins. One of the 1980s decade greatest fighters, is also considered one of boxing's 100 all time pound per pound greatest KO artists.

Defining Fight: WKO1 Michael Spinks.....June 27, 1988....."91 Seconds!"
Other Defining Bouts: WTKO2 Trevor Berbick, W12 Tony Tucker, WTKO4 Larry Holmes, LKO10 Buster Douglas, LTKO11 Evander Holyfield and LDQ3 Evander Holyfield (II)

Accomplishments: Two-time Heavyweight World Champion. Made 10 successful title defenses in his first reign. Cleaned up the heavyweight division in the late 80s decade. Won first 19 bouts by knockout. Went undefeated in his first 37 fights, winning all of them. Scored 22 first-round knockouts. Beat 10 world champions. Record vs world champions is 11-4, 8KOs. The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year in 1986 and 1988. Beat 2 out of 4 Hall of Fame boxers. Record vs hall of famers is 2-3, 2KOs.

What are your thoughts of this giant and legendary boxer?

His KO% is only about 79 % You have to count the 6 losses as well.

Thanks, but I just count the KO percentage off the wins. I see your point, though. What do you think of the great Mike Tyson? Ain't he was something?

[Ambling Alp II]

To me it's silly to count decision wins against someone's KO%, but not losses. You are trying to figure out how often a guy was able to stop his opponent after all.
It doesn't surprise me that you specifically wouldn't count the losses.

Ain't he was something?
Yes, ain't he was something.

I am about half way between the two Tyson extremes. I don't belong to he was a bully who would lose if "you just stood up to him" group. Nor do I belong to the "Prime Mike was invincible with Cus and Teddy" group.

Tyson has been talked to death long ago. No reason to beat this horse any longer.

[elmersalsa]

To me it's silly to count decision wins against someone's KO%, but not losses. You are trying to figure out how often a guy was able to stop his opponent after all.
It doesn't surprise me that you specifically wouldn't count the losses.

Ain't he was something?
Yes, ain't he was something.

I am about half way between the two Tyson extremes. I don't belong to he was a bully who would lose if "you just stood up to him" group. Nor do I belong to the "Prime Mike was invincible with Cus and Teddy" group.

Tyson has been talked to death long ago. No reason to beat this horse any longer.

Thanks for your view on Iron Mike.

[elmersalsa]

Mike Tyson defining fight with the great Michael Spinks. Spinks, a natural light heavyweight, was no match for Iron Mike. He tried his best to do his fight and to befuddle Tyson, but Tyson was a force of nature. He was too strong and powerful for The Jinx. No Spinks Jinx this time, it didn't hurt Tyson at all. Tyson walked right through him. Probably Spinks knew that he wasn't going to win anyway. He was there to collect his last big fat check: $13 million dollars. Tyson earned $20 million dollars in just 91 seconds of work. He didn't break a sweat. Tyson solidified that he was the real heavyweight and undisputed champion of the whole entire world! By June 27, 1988, Tyson was the best fighter pound per pound in the world!

Tyson fight with Frank Bruno of England is where everything about him went downhill. He fired his trainer Kevin Rooney. He got rid off Bill Cayton who was his manager and then joined forces with promoter Don King.

The head movement and defense of his earlier fights were not there. Who are these bums Aaron Snowell and Jay Bright? Tyson didn't show no combinations nor head movement nor defense. His jab to get inside against bigger men was inexistent. The fight lasted 5 rounds thanks for Bruno's holding Tyson's head in every minute. In every clinch. He even got deducted a point in round one by referee Richard Steele for holding. It didn't matter. Bruno was not a match for Iron Mike, even at Iron Mike's worst estate. Tyson was in a different class. After that fight, Tyson said "How dare he was trying to challenge me with ordinary and primitive skills?"

[elmersalsa]

A left hook to Spinks' jaw and a right hook to the ribs and Spinks went down. He gets up and a brutal right caught him flush on the chin! It was over! 91 seconds!

Frank Bruno was almost murdered in round five by two nasty uppercuts by Iron Mike. Man!, They were brutal knockouts!