Breaking Down "Iron" Mike Tyson's Career

[HomicideHenry]

“Iron” Mike Tyson Over-All Record:

1985-

Complete Numerical ‘Record’ of Opponents Combined:
104-78-7, over-all shows that none of the opponents in Tyson’s
first year as a pro were ‘spectacular’, considering the compiled
list was from 15 fighters, 11 of which were knocked out in the 1st.

1986-

Defeats a greater range of fighters, with the ‘toughest’ of the 14 fighters being:

-Mike Jameson (TKO 5th)
- Jesse Ferguson (TKO 6th)
- James Tillis (W10)
-Mitch Green (W10)
-Jose Ribalta (TKO 10th)

Tyson won the WBC belt over Trevor Berbick this same year by TKO 2nd


1987-

Defends his WBC title, as well as picking up the IBF and WBA titles four times:

James “Bonecrusher” Smith- W12 (WBA)
Pinklon Thomas- TKO 6th
Tony Tucker- W12 (IBF)
Tyrell Biggs- TKO 7th


1988-

Larry Holmes- TKO 4th
Tony Tubbs- TKO 2nd
Michael Spinks- KO 1st


1989-

Frank Bruno- TKO 5th
Carl Williams- TKO 1st


1990-

James “Buster” Douglas- LKO 10th (losses unified title)
Henry Tillman- KO 1st
Alex Stewart- KO 1st

1991-

Donovan “Razor” Ruddock- TKO 7th
Donovan “Razor” Ruddock- W12

-serves three year jail sentence for alleged rape-

1995-

Peter McNeely- DQ 1st
Buster Mathis, Jr. – KO 3rd

1996-

Frank Bruno- KO 3rd (WBA title)
Bruce Seldon- KO 1st (WBA title defense)
Evander Holyfield- LKO 11th (loses WBA title)

1997-

Evander Holyfield- LDQ 3rd

-suspended for one year for biting Holyfield-

1999-

Francois Botha- KO 5th
Orlin Norris- NC 1st


2000-

Julius Francis- TKO 2nd
Lou Savarese- TKO 1st
Andrew Golota- TKO 1st (later a NC)


2001-

Brian Nielsen- TKO 7th

2002-

Lennox Lewis- LKO 8th (WBC/IBF title)

2003-

Clifford Etienne- KO 1st

2004-

Danny Williams- LKO 4th (Tyson’s knee blew out after 1st)

2005-

Kevin McBride- LTKO 6th

-Retires-


2006 “World Tour”

W4- Corey “T-Rex” Sanders

Tyson dropped Sanders in the 1st twice

[HomicideHenry]

As you can see Tyson's title reign consisted of beating the following:

-Larry Holmes, who been inactive with no tune up bouts, much older.

-Bonecrusher Smith, just another 'title holder' of the worthless WBA strap

-Tyrell Biggs, an admitted junkie

-Michael Spinks, a scared shitless LHW who 'defended' his title three times against unranked Gerry Cooney and Thad Spencer and Holmes, which was high-way robbery.

-Tony Tubbs, a feather fisted fat guy

-Pinklon Thomas, another junkie

-Tony Tucker, 'won' the IBF belt cus Buster Douglas quit in their fight

-Carl "The Truth" Williams, glass jawed, but skilled

-Frank Bruno, glass jawed and suffered from anxiety attacks

Then throw in the match with Douglas, who was a 21-1 under-dog, who managed to pull the upset of the century over Tyson.

Not exactly GREAT opposition...mmmm?


The period between 1995 and 2005 was absoloutely the 'worst' of Tyson's career, but then again his antics inside and outside the ring made him boxing's #1 attraction, eventually leading to the highest grossing fight in the history of boxing with Lennox Lewis. After Lewis, Tyson 'appeared' to be dominate with his 1st round kayo of Cliff Etienne, but failed in his next outing, though due to a blown knee, against glass jawed Danny Williams.

His last match with Kevin McBride raised the biggest eyebrows of all, as Tyson was ahead on the cards, though he could not put away the mediocre Irishman who weighed 280+ pounds and stood 6'6". Tyson even did illegal tactics, but couldn't make the 'Clones Colossus' budge. In the end, Tyson unexpectedly quit in his corner.

Looking back on his record, possibly the 'last' of the true Tyson was in 1991 when he faced Razor Ruddock, who was a legit fighter, beating him twice. In essence, his 'prime', if in 1991, was well than 15 years ago.

In my opinion, though, his true peak fight was in 1986 against Trevor Berbick. The head movement, combinations, body work, bobbing and weaving, team Tyson [D'Amato's people] was all there, and Tyson put away Trevor Berbick with the greatest of ease.

After the fact, Tyson began losing all of it, little by little.

[Dentsun4228]

Your post is absolute garbage...Why don't you just admit you don't like Tyson and end it there? Don't pretend to be objective when your goal is really to undermine and dis. Any boxing "Fan" who thinks Tyson is anything less than great is a just plain stupid...Want proof? Here's a sample of opponents of the "great heavywts"
Jack Johnson beat: Jeffries (a old, fat, inactive farmer coming out of retirement without the benefit of a tune-up) and Ketchel (a middleweight no less)
Dempsey beat: Willard (an inactive, clumsy, slow lummox with no skills) and Carpentier (an over the hill lightheavywt)
Joe Louis defeated: Billy Conn (a decent but not great lightheavywt who came this close to taking his title) and Jersey Joe Walcott (an old guy who beat him handily the first time and had him hurt and dazed several times in the rematch)
Marciano I won't even talk about ...his competition was notably weak, comprising of a bunch of old guys who were mostly light heavies anyway...and STILL Marciano probably lost one in there and came darn close to losing another.
Ali beat: Liston (an old guy) and Frazier (a much smaller, one dimensional guy) and Foreman (a slow, clumsy, robotic guy with a questionable chin)
Holmes beat some of the same guys Tyson beat....only Tyson was much more impressive. Any fool can find something to say about EVERY Tyson victim...but compared to the old-timers, Tyson's resume shines bright like the sun.

[Ezzard]

IRM

I think it's worng of you to say that Tyson went to prison for alleged rape. He was found guilty and convicted. There is no alleged about it.

[Ezzard]

Looking impressive (or more impressive) is not such a big thing to me. The way he looked in his defeats is what really stands out. Mike was a very good fighter, a great fighter for a short time but he was not amonst the upper echelon of the division.

[Collins2000]

As you can see Tyson's title reign consisted of beating the following:

-Larry Holmes, who been inactive with no tune up bouts, much older.

-Bonecrusher Smith, just another 'title holder' of the worthless WBA strap

-Tyrell Biggs, an admitted junkie

-Michael Spinks, a scared shitless LHW who 'defended' his title three times against unranked Gerry Cooney and Thad Spencer and Holmes, which was high-way robbery.

-Tony Tubbs, a feather fisted fat guy

-Pinklon Thomas, another junkie

-Tony Tucker, 'won' the IBF belt cus Buster Douglas quit in their fight

-Carl "The Truth" Williams, glass jawed, but skilled

-Frank Bruno, glass jawed and suffered from anxiety attacks

Then throw in the match with Douglas, who was a 21-1 under-dog, who managed to pull the upset of the century over Tyson.

Not exactly GREAT opposition...mmmm?


The period between 1995 and 2005 was absoloutely the 'worst' of Tyson's career, but then again his antics inside and outside the ring made him boxing's #1 attraction, eventually leading to the highest grossing fight in the history of boxing with Lennox Lewis. After Lewis, Tyson 'appeared' to be dominate with his 1st round kayo of Cliff Etienne, but failed in his next outing, though due to a blown knee, against glass jawed Danny Williams.

His last match with Kevin McBride raised the biggest eyebrows of all, as Tyson was ahead on the cards, though he could not put away the mediocre Irishman who weighed 280+ pounds and stood 6'6". Tyson even did illegal tactics, but couldn't make the 'Clones Colossus' budge. In the end, Tyson unexpectedly quit in his corner.

Looking back on his record, possibly the 'last' of the true Tyson was in 1991 when he faced Razor Ruddock, who was a legit fighter, beating him twice. In essence, his 'prime', if in 1991, was well than 15 years ago.

In my opinion, though, his true peak fight was in 1986 against Trevor Berbick. The head movement, combinations, body work, bobbing and weaving, team Tyson [D'Amato's people] was all there, and Tyson put away Trevor Berbick with the greatest of ease.

After the fact, Tyson began losing all of it, little by little.

Thad Spencer?????????????? How could anyone who knows anything about boxing write Thad Spencer????????? Admit it, Irish, you've only followed boxing for 6 months at the most. Thad Spencer? Fekkin hell.

[yiddo14]

Looking impressive (or more impressive) is not such a big thing to me. The way he looked in his defeats is what really stands out. Mike was a very good fighter, a great fighter for a short time but he was not amonst the upper echelon of the division.

Spot on mate.

You only become a great fighter when you show how you come back from adversity.
Mike when in serious trouble,always lost,and he exacted revenge on a guy that had previously beat him.
The truly great fighters can pull through when the going gets tough.

[Syntax Error]

Your post is absolute garbage...Why don't you just admit you don't like Tyson and end it there? Don't pretend to be objective when your goal is really to undermine and dis. Any boxing "Fan" who thinks Tyson is anything less than great is a just plain stupid...Want proof? Here's a sample of opponents of the "great heavywts"
Jack Johnson beat: Jeffries (a old, fat, inactive farmer coming out of retirement without the benefit of a tune-up) and Ketchel (a middleweight no less)
Dempsey beat: Willard (an inactive, clumsy, slow lummox with no skills) and Carpentier (an over the hill lightheavywt)
Joe Louis defeated: Billy Conn (a decent but not great lightheavywt who came this close to taking his title) and Jersey Joe Walcott (an old guy who beat him handily the first time and had him hurt and dazed several times in the rematch)
Marciano I won't even talk about ...his competition was notably weak, comprising of a bunch of old guys who were mostly light heavies anyway...and STILL Marciano probably lost one in there and came darn close to losing another.
Ali beat: Liston (an old guy) and Frazier (a much smaller, one dimensional guy) and Foreman (a slow, clumsy, robotic guy with a questionable chin)
Holmes beat some of the same guys Tyson beat....only Tyson was much more impressive. Any fool can find something to say about EVERY Tyson victim...but compared to the old-timers, Tyson's resume shines bright like the sun.

I wouldn't say that Foreman had a questionable chin; just the opposite in fact, it was awesome.

He was only KO'd once in his career & that wasn't because of his chin, it was because he was tired & mentally destroyed by the master that is Muhammad Ali.

He never tasted the canvass that often either.

[Collins2000]

Thad Spencer?????????????? How could anyone who knows anything about boxing write Thad Spencer????????? Admit it, Irish, you've only followed boxing for 6 months at the most. Thad Spencer? Fekkin hell.

Actually, I could just as easily confused "Steffen Tangstad" with "Thad Spencer," when searching my mind for a name. You can see that he had one name starting with an S-blend, and another starting with T and ending with D. The mind is a funny thing; it doesn't organize boxers by era. It organizes them by emotion, and the sound or spelling of the name, and often similar-sounding words, phrases and names are interchanged.

Years ago, my grandmother had a parrot named "Lolita," but my grandfather always called it "Lorreta," because my grandmother had owned a parrot named "Lorreta" earlier. His mind fell into the part of the brain that kept the parrot names starting with an L. Similarly, Irish's mind fell into the part of the brain that keeps the heavyweight boxer names with the initials TS or ST.

Don't even think of asking me which one is Griffin or Griffith, Emile or Montell. I have to look it up a lot of the time. I was just reading the Wikipedia article on Family Guy characters, so I've got it all messed up again. It helps to think that Emile pronounces it "Griffith" because he's gay. Thankfully, I'm a good five or six years removed from confusing Archie Moore, Michael Moore and Michael Moorer, but at least I haven't confused Lennox Lewis and Joe Louis. That's really bad. The only reason I could tell Corey Sanders from Corrie Sanders is that the latter is white.

Hopefully he can tell S T Gordon from Flash Gordon.

Thad Spencer is a well known boxer from a previous era to the time Irish was rambling about. No reason at all to mention him.

I prefer his posts on wrasslin, anyway. I'd like to have seen him break down Big Daddy's career 'by the numbers'. The again he might mix him up with Shirley Temple. (If you know of Big Daddy you'll understand the pun).

Anyway, good to see you are back in 'action', Dec. I hope you're on the road to a full recovery.

[Ezzard]

Thad Spencer?????????????? How could anyone who knows anything about boxing write Thad Spencer????????? Admit it, Irish, you've only followed boxing for 6 months at the most. Thad Spencer? Fekkin hell.

Actually, I could just as easily confused "Steffen Tangstad" with "Thad Spencer," when searching my mind for a name. You can see that he had one name starting with an S-blend, and another starting with T and ending with D. The mind is a funny thing; it doesn't organize boxers by era. It organizes them by emotion, and the sound or spelling of the name, and often similar-sounding words, phrases and names are interchanged.

Years ago, my grandmother had a parrot named "Lolita," but my grandfather always called it "Lorreta," because my grandmother had owned a parrot named "Lorreta" earlier. His mind fell into the part of the brain that kept the parrot names starting with an L. Similarly, Irish's mind fell into the part of the brain that keeps the heavyweight boxer names with the initials TS or ST.

Don't even think of asking me which one is Griffin or Griffith, Emile or Montell. I have to look it up a lot of the time. I was just reading the Wikipedia article on Family Guy characters, so I've got it all messed up again. It helps to think that Emile pronounces it "Griffith" because he's gay. Thankfully, I'm a good five or six years removed from confusing Archie Moore, Michael Moore and Michael Moorer, but at least I haven't confused Lennox Lewis and Joe Louis. That's really bad. The only reason I could tell Corey Sanders from Corrie Sanders is that the latter is white.

I knew Thad Spencer was obviouslpy wrong but I couldn't remember who it actually was. I kept thinking Ken Lakusta but remembered he was a European guy so I then moved on to Anders Ecklund. I saw Ecklund demolish Tangsted (If I've got it the rigth way round). My guess as to why I brought up all these names is that they were all Frank Bruno opponents, but I could be wrong on that too.

[Collins2000]

Thad Spencer?????????????? How could anyone who knows anything about boxing write Thad Spencer????????? Admit it, Irish, you've only followed boxing for 6 months at the most. Thad Spencer? Fekkin hell.

Actually, I could just as easily confused "Steffen Tangstad" with "Thad Spencer," when searching my mind for a name. You can see that he had one name starting with an S-blend, and another starting with T and ending with D. The mind is a funny thing; it doesn't organize boxers by era. It organizes them by emotion, and the sound or spelling of the name, and often similar-sounding words, phrases and names are interchanged.

Years ago, my grandmother had a parrot named "Lolita," but my grandfather always called it "Lorreta," because my grandmother had owned a parrot named "Lorreta" earlier. His mind fell into the part of the brain that kept the parrot names starting with an L. Similarly, Irish's mind fell into the part of the brain that keeps the heavyweight boxer names with the initials TS or ST.

Don't even think of asking me which one is Griffin or Griffith, Emile or Montell. I have to look it up a lot of the time. I was just reading the Wikipedia article on Family Guy characters, so I've got it all messed up again. It helps to think that Emile pronounces it "Griffith" because he's gay. Thankfully, I'm a good five or six years removed from confusing Archie Moore, Michael Moore and Michael Moorer, but at least I haven't confused Lennox Lewis and Joe Louis. That's really bad. The only reason I could tell Corey Sanders from Corrie Sanders is that the latter is white.

I knew Thad Spencer was obviouslpy wrong but I couldn't remember who it actually was. I kept thinking Ken Lakusta but remembered he was a European guy so I then moved on to Anders Ecklund. I saw Ecklund demolish Tangsted (If I've got it the rigth way round). My guess as to why I brought up all these names is that they were all Frank Bruno opponents, but I could be wrong on that too.

Bruno's win over Eklund was a decent result. Even though Anders had a dodgy chin (I remember the limited Noel Quarless doing him inside a round) he'd just stopped the then unbeaten Tangstad and Bruno handled him with ease.

Mind you, why are we discussing Bruno? Irish has already informed he was simply a guy with a glass jaw who suffered from anxiety attacks.

[silkov]

Bruno actually had a good chin, have a look at the bombs he took from Tyson yet didnt go down, ...Brunos problem was his stamina and not knowing what to do when he was hurt, but to say that he had a glass chin is plain ignorant... Herbie Hide has a glass chin... Bruno fought enough decent fighters and took enough heavy punches during his career to prove that he wasnt simply a glass chinned bum like some seem to think... 8)

[overhand_right]

Why do you all let yourself get dragged into these exact same ridiculous Tyson discussions every god damned day..?

Some troll shows up obviously looking for attention and to piss people off comes out with some extreme Tyson statement on one side or the other & you all may as well copy & paste your thoughts from the countless other threads you've said the same damn thing in!?!

Its like f-ckin Groundhog Day round here.

[silkov]

Why do you all let yourself get dragged into these exact same ridiculous Tyson discussions every god damned day..?

Some troll shows up obviously looking for attention and to piss people off comes out with some extreme Tyson statement on one side or the other & you all may as well copy & paste your thoughts from the countless other threads you've said the same damn thing in!?!

Its like f-ckin Groundhog Day round here.

Are you addressing me??... the answer to your question is for the same reason that you get continually dragged into these mindless Tyson threads despite your obvious hatred for them!... these threads will probably still be coming up when the rusty one is 50... people will still be saying 'if he got his head together he'd be champ today!' Emperors clothes and all that, ...theres some that still would lay their lives down that Tyson was 'invincible' and 'the best ever' .... 8)

[BrocktonBlockbuster49]

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:53 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you can see Tyson's title reign consisted of beating the following:

-Larry Holmes, who been inactive with no tune up bouts, much older.

-Bonecrusher Smith, just another 'title holder' of the worthless WBA strap

-Tyrell Biggs, an admitted junkie

-Michael Spinks, a scared shitless LHW who 'defended' his title three times against unranked Gerry Cooney and Thad Spencer and Holmes, which was high-way robbery.

-Tony Tubbs, a feather fisted fat guy

-Pinklon Thomas, another junkie

-Tony Tucker, 'won' the IBF belt cus Buster Douglas quit in their fight

-Carl "The Truth" Williams, glass jawed, but skilled

-Frank Bruno, glass jawed and suffered from anxiety attacks

loaded with bias.........

-Larry Holmes, who been inactive with no tune up bouts, much older.

a very experienced old but still dangerous legend who 4 years later would go on to beat undefeated ray mercer, and give a prime evander holyfield fits!

-Bonecrusher Smith, just another 'title holder' of the worthless WBA strap

worthless? the 1980s heavyweight division had some of the most talented big men in heavyweight history.


bonecrusher was a big 6'4 233lb very dangerous puncher, with loads of strength. a very dangerous fighter.

-Tyrell Biggs, an admitted junkie

how bout a tall 6'5 very skilled polished boxer who was a young hungry former olympic champion.

-Michael Spinks, a scared shitless LHW who 'defended' his title three times against unranked Gerry Cooney and Thad Spencer and Holmes, which was high-way robbery.

how bout michael spinx was a undefeated hall of famer ATG who had twice beat heavyweight great larry holmes.


you call michael spinx a "LHW" but so were charles and moore who were some of marcianos best wins.

-Tony Tubbs, a feather fisted fat guy

more like a big 6'2 245lb very skilled boxer with very fast handspeed. tubbs was one of the more skilled big men in heavyweight history.

-Pinklon Thomas, another junkie

how bout a 6'3 225lb very dangerous top contender, with one of the best jabs of that era. thomas was one of the most skilled big men of all time. holmes wanted no part of thomas. thomas is probably a top 50 heavyweight of all time.

-Tony Tucker, 'won' the IBF belt cus Buster Douglas quit in their fight

how bout cause tucker made him quit with his punches? tucker was a 6'5 220lb dangerous IBF champion who was undefeated and at the peak of his career when he fought tyson. tucker is probably a top 50 heavyweight of all time.

-Carl "The Truth" Williams, glass jawed, but skilled

very skilled. Williams was a very dangerous top contender because he had the size 6'5 to go along with very good boxing skills and solid jab. with his size and skills, he would be a major threat in any era. one of the more skilled big men of all time.

-Frank Bruno, glass jawed and suffered from anxiety attacks

how bout a big 6'3 230lb physical freak who had a wicked hard jab, possesed frightening knockout power, and was one of the most dangerous contenders of that era. brunso size, strength, power, jab would make him a big threat in any era. bruno was extremley hard to outbox( as lennox lewis found out)

[silkov]

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:53 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As you can see Tyson's title reign consisted of beating the following:

-Larry Holmes, who been inactive with no tune up bouts, much older.

-Bonecrusher Smith, just another 'title holder' of the worthless WBA strap

-Tyrell Biggs, an admitted junkie

-Michael Spinks, a scared shitless LHW who 'defended' his title three times against unranked Gerry Cooney and Thad Spencer and Holmes, which was high-way robbery.

-Tony Tubbs, a feather fisted fat guy

-Pinklon Thomas, another junkie

-Tony Tucker, 'won' the IBF belt cus Buster Douglas quit in their fight

-Carl "The Truth" Williams, glass jawed, but skilled

-Frank Bruno, glass jawed and suffered from anxiety attacks

loaded with bias.........

-Larry Holmes, who been inactive with no tune up bouts, much older.

a very experienced old but still dangerous legend who 4 years later would go on to beat undefeated ray mercer, and give a prime evander holyfield fits!

-Bonecrusher Smith, just another 'title holder' of the worthless WBA strap

worthless? the 1980s heavyweight division had some of the most talented big men in heavyweight history.


bonecrusher was a big 6'4 233lb very dangerous puncher, with loads of strength. a very dangerous fighter.

-Tyrell Biggs, an admitted junkie

how bout a tall 6'5 very skilled polished boxer who was a young hungry former olympic champion.

-Michael Spinks, a scared shitless LHW who 'defended' his title three times against unranked Gerry Cooney and Thad Spencer and Holmes, which was high-way robbery.

how bout michael spinx was a undefeated hall of famer ATG who had twice beat heavyweight great larry holmes.


you call michael spinx a "LHW" but so were charles and moore who were some of marcianos best wins.

-Tony Tubbs, a feather fisted fat guy

more like a big 6'2 245lb very skilled boxer with very fast handspeed. tubbs was one of the more skilled big men in heavyweight history.

-Pinklon Thomas, another junkie

how bout a 6'3 225lb very dangerous top contender, with one of the best jabs of that era. thomas was one of the most skilled big men of all time. holmes wanted no part of thomas. thomas is probably a top 50 heavyweight of all time.

-Tony Tucker, 'won' the IBF belt cus Buster Douglas quit in their fight

how bout cause tucker made him quit with his punches? tucker was a 6'5 220lb dangerous IBF champion who was undefeated and at the peak of his career when he fought tyson. tucker is probably a top 50 heavyweight of all time.

-Carl "The Truth" Williams, glass jawed, but skilled

very skilled. Williams was a very dangerous top contender because he had the size 6'5 to go along with very good boxing skills and solid jab. with his size and skills, he would be a major threat in any era. one of the more skilled big men of all time.

-Frank Bruno, glass jawed and suffered from anxiety attacks

how bout a big 6'3 230lb physical freak who had a wicked hard jab, possesed frightening knockout power, and was one of the most dangerous contenders of that era. brunso size, strength, power, jab would make him a big threat in any era. bruno was extremley hard to outbox( as lennox lewis found out)

Holmes hadnt fought for over two years and had trained for just 6 weeks before the Tyson fight... while he'd had had a number of fights under his belt and was in much better 'fighting shape' for his bouts with Holifield, Mccall and Mercer... work it out for yourself Brock, its not bias, just common sense!...

[RazorKO]

For the first time I agree with everything Brockton Blockbuster has said. Im glad theres a poster with sense and knows what hes talking about regarding Tyson's opponents.

[RazorKO]

Bruno actually had a good chin, have a look at the bombs he took from Tyson yet didnt go down, ...Brunos problem was his stamina and not knowing what to do when he was hurt, but to say that he had a glass chin is plain ignorant... Herbie Hide has a glass chin... Bruno fought enough decent fighters and took enough heavy punches during his career to prove that he wasnt simply a glass chinned bum like some seem to think... 8)

I agree, Bruno had a strong chin. He faced some of the biggest punchers of both eras and was never sparked out by a single shot unlike another fellow British HW.....

Bruno took something like 7-8 of Bonecrusher's brutal punches until finally hitting the deck...and he still got up! He took Witherspoon's crushing overhand rights one after the other until finally scummbling, as well as taking that shot from Jumbo Cumming in that first round which would of stunned anyone.
Tyson in both fights never had Bruno flat out either and to stop Big Frank out you had to keep swarming him as you have correctly pointed out, Bruno didnt know what to do when he was hurt and that is evident when instead of holding or dropping to one knee against Bonecrusher he stood upright and took everything Smith had to offer which resulted in his loss, a fight he was easily winning.

[HomicideHenry]

Sorry about the 'Thad Spencer' thing :S

All I could think of was the guy was a Swede and pretty much an unknown fighter when Spinks fought him.


AND...I dont hate Mike Tyson. He is actually one of my favorite fighters, just facts show that Tyson wasn't exactly facing off against great fighters. Was it because he was so dominate, or because the era he fought in was pretty weak? He was 36-0 before the Douglas loss, he had the tools to have beaten the 49-0 of Marciano and possibly get as many title defenses as Holmes or Louis. But it wasn't to be.

And I disagree Brocky. After Ali vacated the WBA title, it was passed around like a five dollar hooker between fighters that captured nobodies imaginations and who had very little respect of their overall abilities. It was just 'another' belt, with the WBC and IBF belts having more legitimacy.

You could make arguments for all the fighters Tyson fought, but you can look back and see when and where someone was in their prime. Bruno for instance was a big question mark, he had the tools, sure, but he failed in his biggest fights and got contender status with wins over mediocre Jumbo Cummings and other bums. He showed he had heart, but he simply was too muscular, you can't teach fluidity in punches to a guy who is bulked up like that.

The Holmes of the 90's was more prepared than the Holmes of the Tyson fight, least Larry had numerous tune ups in his second comeback.

Tubbs was mediocre. He had skills yes, but he never accomplished much, and he lacked a HW punch, despite all his blubber. Bonecrusher Smith hit hard, but like all the other WBA titlists, he failed to become a big star, and failed in his bigger fights.

Spinks was a blown up LHW, period. Big whup he beat Holmes who was on the downside, and then got a gift decision over Holmes again, and then he ducked real contenders and was stripped of his title by facing unranked Cooney and whatever the hell that Swede's name was. But still, that don't take away from what Spinks done at LHW, he was one of the best at the weight.

Those are a few 'for instances'.

Where do I rank Tyson? As far as HW champions are concerned, I have him ranked on the same level if not a tad bit higher than Larry Holmes, because at least Tyson unified the titles and beat guys Holmes ducked, and even beat Holmes [although Holmes was inactive]. I rank Holmes at #10 HW champion of all time, so I have it as a tie with Tyson.

[yiddo14]

Some are going over the top here.
The 1980's produced a group of heavyweights who had massive POTENTIAL,yet none of them fulfilled it.

It's quite funny though listening to the Tyson fanatics.The same people who probably still insist Ike Ibeabuchi would have cleaned up the division,or that the tooth fairy is real.
Their take on the 'greats'(yeah,right )that Tyson beat during his selected prime is amusing.
They make guys like Pinklon Thomas or Tony Tubbs sound like they would have given Ali,Foreman,Louis etc a serious run for their money!!!

Shame Holyfield did'nt get to him when Tyson was still in this 'prime' era of his.
The real deal would have settled all this nonsense.

[sockdolager]

Some are going over the top here.
The 1980's produced a group of heavyweights who had massive POTENTIAL,yet none of them fulfilled it.

It's quite funny though listening to the Tyson fanatics.The same people who probably still insist Ike Ibeabuchi would have cleaned up the division,or that the tooth fairy is real.
Their take on the 'greats'(yeah,right )that Tyson beat during his selected prime is amusing.
They make guys like Pinklon Thomas or Tony Tubbs sound like they would have given Ali,Foreman,Louis etc a serious run for their money!!!

Shame Holyfield did'nt get to him when Tyson was still in this 'prime' era of his.
The real deal would have settled all this nonsense.

yes, or he could have been blown out in 3 rounds but to each his own fantasy.

[yiddo14]

Some are going over the top here.
The 1980's produced a group of heavyweights who had massive POTENTIAL,yet none of them fulfilled it.

It's quite funny though listening to the Tyson fanatics.The same people who probably still insist Ike Ibeabuchi would have cleaned up the division,or that the tooth fairy is real.
Their take on the 'greats'(yeah,right )that Tyson beat during his selected prime is amusing.
They make guys like Pinklon Thomas or Tony Tubbs sound like they would have given Ali,Foreman,Louis etc a serious run for their money!!!

Shame Holyfield did'nt get to him when Tyson was still in this 'prime' era of his.
The real deal would have settled all this nonsense.

yes, or he could have been blown out in 3 rounds but to each his own fantasy.

Maybe,but is there anything to suggest that ANY fighter in history or in the future would have been able to blown out Holyfiled in 3 rounds???
I deal with the probable outcome of a 'prime' Tyson facing Holyfield.A fit,motivated Holy would beat ANY version of Tyson.
The real deal was always just too tough for Tyson.
Beating up mentally unstable crackheads is one thing.....beating a true warrior like Holy is entirely different.

[sockdolager]

agreed, but there was no one as quick, elusive and powerful as an 86-89 Tyson. This would have been Holyfields toughest test as Tyson was a destroyer of humans at that point.

[HomicideHenry]

Holyfield, like Max Schmeling, was a smart fighter in his prime. Schmeling seen that Louis' weakness was he dropped his guard after every jab. Holyfield in the Tyson fight came to the conclusion, the only way to beat Tyson was to take the fight to him, to hit him first, to take his best punches and keep coming, the same way Buster Douglas did.

I think no matter how many times Tyson would fight Holyfield, back in the 80's or not, Evander would have won.

[kovit]

I don't think John Ruiz would go 12 rounds with the prime Tyson unless Tyson blasting his head with great shots from the outside and butcher Ruiz like Tua did to him.