Why is Mike Tyson not in the top 10 best boxers of all time?
Mike Tyson, known as boxing’s youngest champion and the most formidable puncher in history, has often been acknowledged as one of the all-time greats. Even Muhammad Ali himself admitted to being intimidated by Tyson’s power. Therefore, it is surprising that he is not included in BoxRec’s top 10 list of the greatest boxers of all time.
BoxRec, an authoritative source in boxing records, has omitted former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson from their top 10 rankings. This exclusion has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions among boxing enthusiasts.
Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather has been ranked as the number one boxer in BoxRec’s list, while Muhammad Ali is placed fourth. However, it is important to note that Mike Tyson holds the distinction of being the youngest heavyweight world champion ever, achieved when he knocked out Trevor Berbick.
Tyson’s accomplishments speak for themselves, as he accomplished the extraordinary feat of becoming the heavyweight champion of the world at such a young age. He transcended the sport of boxing and instilled fear in all his opponents due to his remarkable and intimidating power. During his prime, he was in a league of his own as a fighter.
Considering his achievements and impact on the sport, it is only fitting for Tyson’s name to be mentioned among the greatest boxers to have ever graced the ring. This recognition goes beyond his accomplishments alone.
Unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has recently acknowledged Tyson as one of the most recognizable names in boxing, placing him alongside Muhammad Ali. Ali, who was ranked fourth on the aforementioned list, had witnessed Tyson’s prowess in the late 1980s and even predicted that he could become the best fighter in the history of the sport. In fact, Ali himself expressed fear that he wouldn’t have been able to defeat Tyson.
Even George Foreman attested to Ali’s perspective, stating, “Muhammad Ali told me himself. I asked him, ‘Do you think Tyson could beat anybody?'”
Tyson earned the moniker of the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ due to his devastating power, which was widely recognized and feared in the boxing world.
Muhammad Ali, widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, expressed a fear that he wouldn’t have been able to defeat Mike Tyson.
According to reports, Ali acknowledged Tyson’s devastating punching power, stating, “Man, Tyson hits so hard.” Ali believed that Tyson possessed greater punching power than anyone he had faced in his career. In fact, Ali once confided in someone that he lacked the confidence to beat Mike Tyson.
Tyson burst onto the professional boxing scene in 1985 and quickly rose to prominence. Just a year later, in 1986, he became a champion by demolishing his opponents. By the time he fought Trevor Berbick for the world title, Tyson had already accumulated an impressive record of 27 victories, with 25 of them ending in knockouts, all achieved seemingly effortlessly.
After defeating Trevor Berbick in just two rounds, Mike Tyson was crowned the youngest heavyweight champion at the age of 20. Under the guidance of his mentor Cus D’Amato, Tyson was more than just a devastating puncher. He utilized his peekaboo-style defense to evade opponents’ punches while landing powerful hooks that few could withstand without hitting the canvas.
A year after becoming the youngest champion, Tyson made history by defeating Tony Tucker and becoming the first boxer to hold the WBC, WBA, and IBF world titles simultaneously. His unbeaten record boasted an impressive knockout ratio of 89 percent. However, his undefeated streak came to a shocking end when he was defeated by James ‘Buster’ Douglas in 1990.
Tyson faced numerous challenges in his personal life, including struggles with drug addiction, depression, and legal troubles. Despite these setbacks, he managed to regain the world title by defeating Frank Bruno after his return to boxing. Although he suffered losses to Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis in legacy fights, Tyson is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights in history.
Many believe that Tyson could have achieved even more in his career had it not been for the troubles he faced outside the ring. His former trainer, Jeff Fenech, asserts that Tyson would still be a force to be reckoned with in today’s heavyweight division, even at the age of 53.
Despite his setbacks, Tyson broke numerous records, reached extraordinary heights in the sport, and garnered a massive fan base. His prime may have been short-lived, but it was an explosive and unparalleled display of talent. It’s difficult to imagine Tyson losing to anyone had he maintained his early form. During his peak, there is a strong argument to be made that Tyson was one of the greatest boxers of all time.
