I can agree with that statement, but don't you think you're overcompensating for it? Top 5 for the 1 fighter that would struggle against taller fighters & not pose any physical difficulties for fighters of the 40's or 50's? For instance a fighter like Tyson would be in the wheel house for Louis, Marciano, Ali & Foreman all for different reasons and he would struggle with fighters that have similar styles to them that were at or just below their level. Man a very old Larry Holmes was competitive against him coming of a 2 year hiatus, what do you think happens if Larry is in his prime?

Tyson's gift to the sport, and it's ultimate curse, was the guaranteed spectacle in or outside the ring. However, by individual talent & results I find it hard to argue for him being in the top 15 all-time much less a top 5 ranking.

I wholeheartedly agree but I rank him a top 10 greatest heavyweights ever, not a top 5.

The casual fans point to him knocking out old men or scared small men who were very inactive [Spinks] but they ignore that smart fighters, like senior citizen Tillis, could handle a prime Tyson [help in the inside, fought outside].

Still; boxing purist give Tysons weaknesses too much attention. They ignore that at his prime he could fight a full 12 rounds, they ignore that he was one of the greatest swarmer-punchers ever.

They ignore that he was the universally recognized heavyweight champion for some time and that he defended that RARE title more then other greats including Rocky Marciano.

With that said; i also rank Vladimir Klitschko as one of the top 10 greatest ever [not his brother], and by the end of his career he will likely be above Tyson.

Time will judge

Most casual fans sickeningly overrate Tyson. Comments that call Tyson the greatest boxer (not just heavyweight) ever are disgusting and do a huge disservice to the many other great fighters of the sport. Boxing fans are different in that they sometimes underrate him in response to the casual fans and sometimes overrate him.

I don't consider him to be a top 5 heavyweight because I can think of at least 5 heavyweights who I would favor to beat him.

As a person I love Tyson, but no way in hell is he the greatest Heavyweight in the history of Boxing. I'd rate Joe Louis, Ali, Foreman, Frazier, maybe the Klitschkos over him depending how Klitschkos finish their career and we look over their career to see their top wins.

Tyson is what he is, a very entertaining fighter that would always struggle with good or great long armed fighters.

i agree with most of what you say i think tyson is underrated especially in america i couldn't name 5 fighters that would beat tyson .

joe louis ......... i think tyson would steamroll louis and get the ko

Ali .................. frazier beat ali and a young tyson was faster ,hit harder and had better head movement than frazier ..while Ali would be favourite i'd have it as a 50/50 fight

lennox lewis ............... lewis got ko'd twice by average fighters ,tyson would get to him early for the ko

george foreman .,...... i'm not as sure as others that foreman would beat tyson i think tyson would get to foreman early ,tyson is a lot faster than foreman .

a lot of tyson's detractors come from the holyfield fights and i'm a big holyfield fan but there has to be supposition of holyfield being on steroids he got very big .

Well, anyone who'd say Tyson is underrated doesn't know his boxing. When you have a guy who's strong, fast on his feet, has quick hands, hits like a mule and most of all, has considerable boxing knowledge, then you definitely struck gold.

I think Tyson is overrated by everyone, Mike was a heavy puncher, but not much of a boxer. Certainly not a historical great by any means.

Disagree. I think the more accurate way to say it is his career in it's entirety is overrated by casual fans, they say he was always great. In fact he was great for about 3 years in the late 80s. Then he came back to being a regular, above average boxer.

he was very gifted physically but yes he is overrated he tended to crack when a fight didnt go his way had stamina problems and no ring iq and also lost to every fighter who fought back

i'l keep it short.to most casuals tyson is the greatest heavy ever while most purists seriously underrate him because of his career as a whole.

i don't care what any 1 says prime tyson is a top 5 heavyweight.which means prime for prime i only have 3 or 4 of history's heavyweights beating him

i no a prime tyson never got the opportunity to mix it with any one of much note but i still stand by my above comment.

i'm not saying many fighters couldn't of beaten a prime mike but likeliness wise i would only pick a few prime heavies over him