Tyson was definitely the most exciting heavy weight because of his one punch knockout ability but he can't be considered one of the best all time. Too short, arms not long enough, lack of cardio to go the distance and lack of ability to avoid getting hit by the jab eliminate him from being close to the best. He was a bully who intimidated most of his opponents but when he fought big guys who could work the jab and weren't intimidated he was very average.
im not sure what having “short arms” being too short has too do with being considered one of the best of all time
Going on that logic I guess Joe Frazier, Rocky Marciano, jake lamota, etc etc were sub par fighters because they were short.
If we are talking about a PRIME mike Tyson his Cardio was more than sufficient in his PRIME (1980s) he went the distance several times and still had gas in the tank.
The being “hit” bye the jab comment is abit bizarre...the Jab never bothered him one little bit in his prime simply because he very rarely EVER got hit bye the jab (or anything else on a consistent basis) his defence was incredible in the 80s...
and that’s the the very thing most people don’t understand about him back then....it was his DEFENCE that set him apart from the top heavyweights of the era and for every punch the top fighters in the 80s would miss he’d hit them back twice as hard and fast...his foot speed and hand speed were incredible (in his prime)
A case can definitely be made about the bully angle but let’s not forget a lot of heavyweights did not fear him and still got knocked out, mikes moment of “truths” he came up short after Douglas showed the way but it’s amazing how everyone “jumped” ship on him when he started losing forgetting the fact he SINGLE handily Unified all 3 belts beating Berbick, Smith and a prime Tony tucker doing it and anilated Spinks, Bruno, Williams, etc.
After 1990 his regression was predictable...once that head movement stopped...he started catching punches his style was always based on hit...and not getting hit followed up with incredible hand speed and power, the closest thing too Tyson was Roy jones in the sense that in his prime...nobody could actually HIT HIM...and that’s what made those 2 so special...
but a lot of people don’t understand that...both of them were so good that when they actually started getting distracted, not taking the game seriously, or just flat out losing the desire too dedicate and train properly...they got hit...and when that happens consistently you’ll lose.
Everything is judged and rated after the facts and the final fact for Tyson is imo he will not be seriously considered in the top 10 all time greats because of those loses in key moments AFTER 1990...
but if we are talking about a absolutley Prime mike Tyson, the youth, defensive genius, hand speed, foot speed, power in both hands, right hand, left hook, uppercut and ruthless body shots....THAT Tyson imo was as great as ANY of the all time greats.
After 1990....well...pick a number how far down the list you’ll rate him.
