Mike Tyson brutally branded ‘most overrated boxer’ after explicit reason given
Boxing broadcaster Paul Dempsey has sparked controversy by labelling Mike Tyson as the “most overrated” boxer of his time.
The claim comes despite Tyson’s significant achievements in the sport, including becoming the youngest ever heavyweight world champion at age 20.
Tyson, known for his ferocious knockout power, built a feared reputation throughout his 20-year professional career.
He reigned as undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990 and is widely considered one of boxing’s greatest figures.
Dempsey made the controversial statement during an appearance on talkSPORT Fight Night, challenging the boxing icon’s legacy despite acknowledging his undeniable talent.
Dempsey explained his reasoning, pointing to fundamental flaws in Tyson’s temperament that were apparent even early in his career.
“They said even in those days that there were fundamental flaws in his temperament,” Dempsey stated.
“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 broadcaster emphasised that greatness in boxing should be measured by a fighter’s entire body of work.
He specifically highlighted Tyson’s inability to recover after his shocking loss to Buster Douglas.
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“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,” Dempsey argued.
The broadcaster contrasted Tyson with other boxing legends who showed greater resilience.
“Joe Frazier got up six times against George Foreman in one fight, that is what greatness is to me,” he said.
“Everything of course has to be framed around his awful background, but that isn’t a defence for me,” he added.
A key criticism highlighted was that ‘Iron Mike’ never got up from the canvas to win a fight in his career.
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This failure to demonstrate comeback ability is often cited when comparing Tyson to greats like Foreman and Muhammad Ali.
Fellow pundit Spencer Oliver took a different view, suggesting Tyson deserves a place in the top ten all-time heavyweight rankings.
The debate highlights the complexity of assessing Tyson’s legacy, with his undeniable talent not in question.
Despite struggling in the later years of his career, Tyson remains one of boxing’s biggest superstars.
His commercial appeal was evident in the huge audience figures for his comeback fight against Jake Paul last year.
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Tyson also possessed one of the hardest punches the sport has ever seen.
The debate about Tyson’s place in boxing history continues to divide opinion among experts and fans alike.
Tyson’s legacy is complex, balancing his early dominance against later career struggles.
His commercial impact on boxing cannot be understated, transforming him into a cultural icon.