I would dismiss him as a fighter at the highest level. He never once won a fight that was tough. Every single time his opponent put it up to him, Tyson lost. Not once did he ever dig in and grind out a win.
He had incredible physical tools but it takes more than that to be a good fighter.
It’s an interesting one to debate. Yes he lost fights when he wasn’t on his game. When he was he was monstrous.
2 Likes
I think that’s overblown personally. Tyson run roughshod over an incredibly weak division (Trevor Berbick was a champion at the time) but as soon as it was put up to him, he folded. There is not a single instance in his entire career where he won a close, tough fight. Not one. He lost every time a bit of character or steel was required
Yeah, totally arguable to see it that way. Also totally arguable to say that in those fights he was nowhere near his peak or his head wasn’t right. That’s what makes him fascinating.
For me his record alone makes him an all time great but also his unique style.
1 Like
Tyson getting beaten by Buster Douglas must go down as one of the biggest sporting upsets of all time. I don’t think anyone can be considered a great to be beaten by someone supposedly so much inferior to him.
Lennox Lewis for me was a better fighter.
Did you watch 42/1 the ESPN doc on Douglas?
No.
Well worth a watch … they fought a few weeks after his mother’s death… His father was a boxer also but they had a poor relationship - the victory seemed to bring them together.
On a side note, Tyson had gonorrhea when he won the title in 86… 
1 Like
Didn’t he ride Naomi Campbell in the back of a limo back at the time?
That had downgraded to a yoke from Big Brother in the UK by the noughties!
Tyson was like Foreman, a puncher rather than a pugilist. His power was out of this world however.
Not true to say he never came out the right side of a slog. He beat Tony Tucker to win the IBF title on points after Tucker had him in trouble early. Tucker had beaten Buster Douglas to win the title and was no bum, Lennox Lewis was the only man to put him on canvass many years later.
I think you’ve Tyson and Foreman a disservice there. Neither were short on boxing skills.
Slightly off topic but I revisited the Thrilla in Manila film documentary recently, as I do every now and again.
The greatest sporting event in history.
1 Like
If they handed out medals for diplomacy, Tyson’s promoter would’ve been front of the queue here.
3 Likes
You can really see him stewing away as they move on from the curveball thrown at him by the reporter. Head bobbing away as he contemplates making shit of him.
1 Like
Smug head on the reporter too. Imagine Tyson jumping the cunt and wailing away for the 10 seconds it would take for him to be restrained. Be beautiful TV
Are you referring to tyson fury split personality ?
Is Mike thinking of a come back 