Originally Posted by ClydebankBlitz

Show me the evidence to support it. Which high level opponent did Tyson take punishment from? Tyson was stopped 5 times in his career after all.

Tyson's best opponent was Ruddock (that he beat) or Spinks. Bruno and others were paper champions so even though decent fighters, they were never the best of the best. Lewis demolished Ruddock after Tyson beat him, proving that he wasn't all that to begin with (but more avoided).

Tyson's biggest fights were Holyfield and Lewis. He was stopped in both after being completley dominated (excluding the DQ to Evander).

As I said earlier, he was a can wrecking machine, but the proof is on the paper. When Tyson stepped in against the highest level compition, he didn't get anywhere. His legacy is mainly based on the demolition of the low level fighters the HW division had at the time. Lewis has said it himself multiple times that he hated to be a part of that era in boxing because there was just no opposition at all. The few glimces of great fights for Tyson, the ones that would put him in GOAT contention, would have been the ones with Holyfield and Lewis. Tyson had great head movement, relentless pressure and knockout power...but that's about it. You put him in there with a top level elite ranged fighter and he loses almost everytime.