Pinklon Thomas was on the slide and hadn't beaten a ranked contender in 2 years.
Tyrell Briggs had only 16 fights as a pro and barely managed to beat David Bey.
Holmes was several years past his prime, hadn't fought in almost 2 years, and hadn't convincingly beaten a ranked contender in almost 3 years.
Tubbs hadn't beaten a ranked contender in 3 years.
Spinks was inactive for a year, and hadn't genuinely beaten a top heavyweight in nearly 3 years.
Bruno failed to collect a belt 3 times before finally beating the mediocre Oliver McCall.
The fact that these guys were some of the best in the division, reflects on the poor state of the division.
Tyson was far from the complete fighter some of his fans like to suggest he was. His defense was good, but not "impregnable." If you look at his first 25 fights, you'll notice that even some journeymen didn't have too many problems hitting him. He also wasn't much of an infighter, couldn't really adapt, was prone to frustration, couldn't deal with his opponent giving him angles, and sometimes degenerated into more of a 1 dimensional slugger in the later rounds. This flaws became more obvious later in his career, but still existed in his prime. People just don't really notice them because they're only interested in the knockouts and don't analyze the fights closely or in their entirety. He was a still a great fighter, but not close to being the mythical, unbeatable, destroyer people like to portray him as.
The answer is yes; Tyson was overrated. Up and won his wins were against weak competition. He never beats a prime Larry Holmes. Tyson was put in against set-ups and guys he was supposed to beat, as a fighter being groomed on the way up. Tyson won many of his fights at center ring during the instructions; many were scared shitless. As soon as Buster Douglas showed no fear he kept Tyson at bay with a good jab. Holyfield would have beaten Tyson anytime during Tyson's career. Holyfield know how to survive a war; he has been there many times. Tyson never fought a fighter who would trade with him. Tyson was great fighter and one can make a strong case for Don King ruining his career, and the passing of Cus D'mato--and him firing his management team and trainer. If you forget what you learned and who helped you get to where you are, you are a dumb ignorant fighter. Something tells me if Dundee, stopped training either Ali or Leonard that both still would have had great careers. Stop with the excuses; Tyson was a grown man who blew his career. If he was that great he would not have lost every significant fight that he fought.
He's a natural street brawler puncher. But that type usually wins only 35% of fights vs Great primetime boxers such as Buster Douglas, Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, and Larry Holmes/ Ali.
Mike's style is fight fast or lose fast. His body type says it all. Even if he did try to box, he wouldn't have made it far.
So yeah, know your body type and perfect the style for your body type and avoid certain fights and you can also trick the weld that you're the greatest. Fight half dead bums and finish them fast like Mike, or out box them like Larry Holmes does.
Mike Tyson still holds the title of being the youngest undefeated undisputed HW champion of the world. That alone speaks a lot about what the guy had accomplished. Record holders by any standard aint no overrated
What?? No way...well...kind of...
Prior to his jail term he beat the best there was...James "Quick" Tillis, Jose Riblata, Pinklon Thomas (just because that dude could take a punch), Trevor Berbick whom he won the title from when he was 20 (which hasn't happened since), Tony Tucker and most notably Michael Spinks whom he destroyed. He was powerful, fast and moved like lightening and was trained by one of the greatest ever in Cus D'Amato...Tyson was bomb.
..then he raped or didn't rape that chick and got sent away...when he came back, he fough McNeely who couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat and got his *** handed to him a couple of times by Holyfield then it was all downhill from there.
That being said and While King did steal a buttload of money from him and screwed him over, his mental stability has always been a question.
As far as his many flaws, you'll be hard-pressed to find many prior to his jail term and the passing of Cus D'Amato...after that he turned to dog-sh*t.
No. The guy was a modern day fighting machine - highly-skilled, very fast and hit like a mule. Yeah, I agree that he had a weak psyche and his poor social background, lack of maturity and naivete did him in.
why not challenge him to a 3 round one on one? I think you would find out the hard way.
"You're" just butt hurt. - You're welcome.
Not in his heyday isn't it.
he was a media hyped fighter he never beat a great fighter lost to everyone that stood up to him even the razor ruddock fight razor fought back but he tried to take tysons head off swigging wildly to me thats being scared he was known for not having the best stamina weak psyche and tended to give up when a fight didnt go his way and sure he had a good chin speed power and good defence but it was overshadowed by his many flaws
