Just been watching all of Mike Tyson’s knockouts on YouTube

[zzzzz]

I don't think that Lennox Lewis gets the full credit that he deserves, perhaps because of those losses in his career which were corrected eventually. He was a very smart boxer and used every tool available, he could be frustrating to watch as he would often get in close and hold on to an opponent and tire them with his strength but that was smart ring craft. His jab was incredible though.

Prime Lennox would wipe the floor with everyone in the heavyweight division these days.

When people talk about the greatest heavyweights of all time he doesn't get spoken about enough in my opinion but he is right up there.

Very good Brian.
I was at MSG for the draw with Holyfield, a draw engineered in complete fraud by King.
We were surrounded by yanks sat in MSG season ticket seats and to a man they were horrified at the result.
Had that gone the way it should have done Lewis would have so much longer at the top, it's no more than he deserves.

 

[Support Your Local Team]

I always had Tyson down as the most dominant heavyweight ever but low down in my top 10 of best ever.

He came along in a poor 80s heavyweight era and completely mopped up. He was fast, relentless and an incredible puncher and this meant that the vast majority were beaten before they entered the ring. A small number weren't and he couldn't bully these although he still won over the distance.

When you look at who he beat pre-Buster Douglas there are limited big names (a post-prime Larry Holmes and a terrified Frank Bruno the highlights).

When he came out of jail he was not washed up at all - still under 30 I believe - and in incredible shape. He simply found Holyfield and Lewis to be better boxers and not afraid of him.

 

[Scrug]

This is the only guy I’ve ever seen who was more animalistic than Tyson.

Absolute psychopath. Watch the whole story, it’s mental.

 

[B_G]

The problem is with "All Time" lists is that the heavyweight division has changed so much in that time.

The fighters are so much bigger these days. Fury fights around 40lbs heavier than George Foreman did.
All the top fighters in the 70s were weighing in between 200-230lbs.

Fury fights at anywhere between 260-280lbs
The Klitschkos, AJ and Lewis all tended to fight in the 240-250lb range
Even Usyk at 221lbs is around the same weight as what Foreman fought at. And Foreman was considered a bigger heavyweight.

 

[Bernieslavenschin]

The guy was a bully. A ferocious one at that and his KO reel is impressive.
But as pointed out once he faced competition that wouldn't be bullied he was beaten.

Wilder's reel of tomato can KOs is similarly impressive (though he's nowhere near Tyson's level IMO)

 

[Alzi]

The guy was a bully. A ferocious one at that and his KO reel is impressive.
But as pointed out once he faced competition that wouldn't be bullied he was beaten.

Wilder's reel of tomato can KOs is similarly impressive (though he's nowhere near Tyson's level IMO)

Tyson could actually box. His speed and movement was superb. Wilder has power that can’t be taught but that’s it.

 

[Bernieslavenschin]

Tyson could actually box. His speed and movement was superb. Wilder has power that can’t be taught but that’s it.

Correct.

 

[BoroMart]

Tyson could actually box. His speed and movement was superb. Wilder has power that can’t be taught but that’s it.

Pretty much on the money.

Tyson did have superb footwork and head movement, great balance, , an ok jab, brilliant short hooks and uppercuts that utilised his entire body. What he didn't have was the size necessary to compete against the very best, an engine that could go beyond maybe 4 rounds, or good tactical awareness to change things up. He was very predictable, but you had to have really good fundamental defensive ability to withstand that onslaught....otherwise you were going down. Berbick, an old Holmes, Bruno, they lacked the ability to really keep Tyson at bay and let him blow himself out.

Wilder, the fundamental boxing technique just isn't there. That right hand has some immense power, but he can get hit so easily and his legs go. I believe Tyson would have blown Wilder out the ring 9 times out of 10.