‘Fundamental flaw’ – Mike Tyson told he is ‘most overrated’ boxer ever as brutal reason given
Mike Tyson has been named the ‘most overrated’ boxer by Paul Dempsey during his time covering the sport. Heavyweight icon Tyson is one of the most popular boxers of all-time with his ferocious knockout power handing him a feared reputation throughout his 20-year professional career. Tyson is considered by many to be an all-time heavyweight greatGetty Tyson rose through the ranks as an Olympic medallist, putting together an outrageous KO streak at the start of his professional career. He then became the youngest ever heavyweight world champion at the age of 20, by beating Trevor Berbick in 1986. Tyson also reigned as an undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1920 and is considered by many to be one of the greatest to have ever laced up his gloves. During his time in the sport, the legend suffered some damaging defeats in huge fights against the likes of Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis. And as a result, boxing broadcaster Dempsey believes Tyson is overrated by the sport’s fraternity despite his achievements. He said during an appearance on talkSPORT Fight Night: “For me in my time it is Mike Tyson [most overrated]. “So the reasons I say it are because the people who were around him when he first got into boxing. “They said even in those days that there were fundamental flaws in his temprament. “I’m not questioning his talent, he’s definitely the fastest I’ve ever seen. But in the long scope of history, I think he’s been overrated. “Name me the number of fighters that Mike Tyson beat, who could even justify getting in the ring from the top ten from the mid 1970’s. But Tyson has been named overrated by DempseyAFP “The whole point of the storyline with George Foreman right now, it is what they achieve in the round, their whole body of work. “So when he loses to Buster Douglas it is an imperative to be a great boxer, what is going to happen next. It is how they recover. “Joe Frazier got up six times against George Foreman in one fight, that is what greatness is to me. “Everything of course has to be framed around his awful background, but that isn’t a defence for me.” Fellow pundit Spencer Oliver disagreed, and suggested his feats place him in the top ten of the all-time heavyweight rankings. There was no doubt of Tyson’s talent, but it is certainly an interesting debate that has been brought to the fore. Tyson remains a big name in boxing to this dayGetty Tyson is often regarded as one of the greatest, albeit he struggled in the later years of his career. ‘Iron Mike’ never got up from the canvas to win a fight in his career, an argument many often use when comparing him to other greats such as Foreman, Muhammad Ali and those of past eras. But he was a commercial juggernaut and remains one of boxing’s biggest superstars, attracting huge audience figures for an unlikely comeback fight against Jake Paul last year. Tyson also packed one of the hardest punches the sport has ever seen, a factor often deemed hugely important in the blue-riband division. All-time rankings are what makes the sport so conversed, and it will no doubt be a topic that will continue to rumble on in boxing history with regards to Tyson’s legacy. Follow talkBOXING on social media talkBOXING is now on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us on social media for big breaking boxing news, exclusive interviews and the best bits from our talkBOXING YouTube show. Like our Facebook page HERE Follow us on Twitter HERE Sign up for our WhatsApp channel HERE
Mike Tyson has been named the ‘most overrated’ boxer by Paul Dempsey during his time covering the sport.
Heavyweight icon Tyson is one of the most popular boxers of all-time with his ferocious knockout power handing him a feared reputation throughout his 20-year professional career.
Tyson rose through the ranks as an Olympic medallist, putting together an outrageous KO streak at the start of his professional career.
He then became the youngest ever heavyweight world champion at the age of 20, by beating Trevor Berbick in 1986.
Tyson also reigned as an undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1920 and is considered by many to be one of the greatest to have ever laced up his gloves.
During his time in the sport, the legend suffered some damaging defeats in huge fights against the likes of Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.
And as a result, boxing broadcaster Dempsey believes Tyson is overrated by the sport’s fraternity despite his achievements.
He said during an appearance on talkSPORT Fight Night: “For me in my time it is Mike Tyson [most overrated].
“So the reasons I say it are because the people who were around him when he first got into boxing.
“They said even in those days that there were fundamental flaws in his temprament.
“I’m not questioning his talent, he’s definitely the fastest I’ve ever seen. But in the long scope of history, I think he’s been overrated.
“Name me the number of fighters that Mike Tyson beat, who could even justify getting in the ring from the top ten from the mid 1970’s.
“The whole point of the storyline with George Foreman right now, it is what they achieve in the round, their whole body of work.
“So when he loses to Buster Douglas it is an imperative to be a great boxer, what is going to happen next. It is how they recover.
“Joe Frazier got up six times against George Foreman in one fight, that is what greatness is to me.
“Everything of course has to be framed around his awful background, but that isn’t a defence for me.”
Fellow pundit Spencer Oliver disagreed, and suggested his feats place him in the top ten of the all-time heavyweight rankings.
There was no doubt of Tyson’s talent, but it is certainly an interesting debate that has been brought to the fore.
Tyson is often regarded as one of the greatest, albeit he struggled in the later years of his career.
‘Iron Mike’ never got up from the canvas to win a fight in his career, an argument many often use when comparing him to other greats such as Foreman, Muhammad Ali and those of past eras.
But he was a commercial juggernaut and remains one of boxing’s biggest superstars, attracting huge audience figures for an unlikely comeback fight against Jake Paul last year.
Tyson also packed one of the hardest punches the sport has ever seen, a factor often deemed hugely important in the blue-riband division.
All-time rankings are what makes the sport so conversed, and it will no doubt be a topic that will continue to rumble on in boxing history with regards to Tyson’s legacy.
