Mike Tyson? The BEST EVER? DURING HIS PRIME!?

Question

I'm talking about the Mike Tyson in the 80's/90's. Do you think he was the best?

Answer 1

Mike Tyson in his prime beat all of the opposition available, except George Foreman, who he hasn't fought. Quite possibly the best finisher in heavyweight history. Knockout power with either hand. Great defense in his prime. First guy to unify the 3 belts (WBA, IBF, & WBC). In his comeback, he regained 2 of the 3 belts before loosing to holyfield,unfortunately Tyson's  place in history is bittersweet to me because I feel had he stayed with trainer Kevin Rooney, Mike Tyson had the POTENTIAL to become the greatest Heavyweight Champ of all time. Everyone knows Tysons story. Tyson had incredible speed, incredible KO power, great finisher, a violent blood lust to destroy his opponent. Many of Tysons fight would not go past the 2nd round.For three years he terrorized and dominated the heavyweight division as its undisputed champion putting fear in the heart of every opponent that was brave enough to step into the ring with him. With his black shoes no socks, black trunks, fade haircut and gym towel draped on his shoulders he had an aura of invincibility that had not been seen since the days of Liston and Foreman. After he lost d'amato and fired rooney his skills started to decline, he became more of a one hit puncher who used his opponents fear to win fights,but the tyson that came in on that night of 1988 to knock out trevor berbick,that young kid from catskill new york,to me that kid was truly living dynamite, I remember vividly those times, when Tyson fought everyone stayed at home waiting for the fight,not because we feared he would loose,but because there was a very strong chance that we would see a brutal knock out, in a way there is a strong feeling of nostalgia today when talking about Tyson, people want to see another kid come from the streets and rise to stardom through vicious knock out victories and lightning fast punches,people want to see another kid unify the heavyweight title,people want another truly undisputed champion in short people want another Tyson! people like Jo S (who is a known bigot on this site)  and blogbaba can criticize and hate mike tyson all they want,but I know that in the heart of most people who lived and grew in the eighties and early nineties,there is a undying wish for another kid dynamite and despite all of his shortcomings, he will always be remembered as a boxing great even after we are all gone and no one can take that away from him.

Answer 2

Yea. Mike was a beast in his prime. Talk about getting hit by bricks which he considered a pair of hands. Never seen any one as ferocious as Iron Mike.

Answer 3

tyson could have been the best of all time if he didnt s***w it all up he was and is a dumb man when he was in his prime he was like no other fighter before him he was fast hit like a mule and could take a punch he was like a panther bash him all you want in his prime he could of beat most of the heavyweight champions who ever lived i give ali and a young george foreman a chance thats it

Answer 4

I think he could have been. He had major guns in both hands and great quickness. He was deadly.

You'll never get a conclusive answer since it's just an opinion.

But he could very well have been the best ever.

Answer 5

He was about the fourth best in his era, about 25th best ever. This question gets asked about 4 times daily. Is it the same person over and over?

Answer 6

they say mike tyson is on dope now he said he would use it everyday if he hav the oppertunity and he says he smokes weed everyday tyson makes me wonder can any hungry young boxer be made great by the right trainer

Answer 7

STOP ASKING THIS QUESTION.  He was horrible.  Who did he ever beat?

Answer 8

Boxing is very much a science that encompasses so much. Now Mike was definately a great fighter, but he went into the ring with this almost hate like approach to his opponents. This will work for intimidation and for animal power, but once you get whacked, you will start to lose your composer, maybe get genuinly angry and that throws you off your game. You can never underestimate an opponent or overestimate yourself. Ali, another great fighter, but again his ego, showmanship got in the way at times.

The best fighter ever is Rocky Marciano, he was a gentleman who let his hands do the talking, he knew what he was capable of and never lost his composer through anger or over confidence.

Answer 9

No! I told people during Tysons prime he would end up in jail a crack addict, He was never a good boxer, he just had a soft brain that allowed him to put his own well being in danger and punch people without a defense, Mike Tyson will die in prison of AIDS or homeless, of a drug overdose.

Answer 10

in my opinion the guy was unbeatable during his prime years1986-1989,tremendous fighter would have gone as the all time greatest had his head kept above water and he never met Givens or that reptile king!

Answer 11

During his prime, Tyson was cat quick and had explosive power. However, one of his greatest weapons was intimidation. Once the wheel fell off that cart, all the apples rolled off. So to answer your question, no, he was not. Cassius Clay (Ali, whichever you prefer) was actually quicker and not intimidated by anyone. Joe Frazier would have given Tyson fits. A prime Joe Louis would have knocked him out. However, Tyson's greatest opponent would have always been himself, regardless of the era. It's a sad fall from grace.

Answer 12

He has all the physical attributions like hand speed, punching power and a good chin. He was a good exciting champion but he was not great in a historical prespective because lack of heart.

Answer 13

Iron Mike was the best in his prime, who was better? especially in his division?

Answer 14

between the first retirement of holmes and the rise of holyfield to the heavyweight throne the first time, he was the best, but then blew it.

Answer 15

hes up there... not best tho.

Answer 16

Late 80's Tyson was unstoppable and noone except the blind or ignorant can deny that,I grew into boxing because of Tyson like many of my friends.Skink you seem to have one sick mind my friend reading your questions and answers there's no wonder youve no friend and lonely,please dont put a spell on me chainsmoker!

Answer 17

Name one great fighter that Tyson fought???  He didn't. The  c***k in his armor was revealed by a Buster Douglas who boxed, punched and showed Tyson no fear. Tyson is really an over rated fighter. Of  course with his competition no wonder.

Answer 18

Mike Tyson was an unstoppable force in his prime. Definately the best of his era from 1985-1991. He just couldn't shake things off after that loss against Busta' Bust Douglas which is unfortunate.