Who is the greatest boxer of all time? It’s a question that has sparked endless debates among fans, with answers varying wildly depending on personal preferences and eras. One name that consistently enters the conversation is Mike Tyson—a fighter who redefined ferocity in the ring. Yet, despite his legendary status, Tyson was notably snubbed by Canelo Alvarez in a recent discussion.
Back in 1986, at the age of 20, ‘Iron’ Mike became the youngest boxer in the history of the sport to win the heavyweight world title when he defeated Trevor Berbick for the WBC belt. The very next year, Tyson defeated James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith and Tony Tucker to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. Tyson even defended his titles nine times during his first championship run. Not to mention, he amassed 44 knockouts out of 50 wins, with 22 KOs in the first round, establishing himself as a monster in the ring. In 2011, Tyson was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame and went on to become a pop culture icon.
Despite all his accomplishments, Canelo Alvarez had another name when he was asked about the GOAT of boxing. While appearing in an interview with DAZN Boxing recently, he named himself as the “current” face of boxing. When asked who the future of boxing could be, he said, “It’s very hard to say that because it’s a lot of good fighters there, but I hope it’s a Mexican.”
Then he was pressed about the greatest of all time, and he confidently stated, “ The greatest of all time is Muhammad Ali.” But is that really true?
Why Muhammad Ali over Mike Tyson?
While Mike Tyson was a dominant force with unmatched knockout power and the youngest heavyweight champion in history, Muhammad Ali stands above him as the greatest of all time due to a unique blend of skill, resilience, and cultural impact. Ali won the heavyweight title three times and defeated legends like Floyd Patterson, Archie Moore, Henry Cooper, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman.
His iconic performances in the ‘Fight of the Century,’ ‘Thrilla in Manila,’ and ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ showcased not just physical prowess but brilliant ring IQ and adeptness at psychological warfare. Unlike Tyson, whose reign was brief and whose career declined sharply after the early success, Ali remained competitive across two full decades.
His ability to adapt, absorb punishment, and outwit stronger punchers demonstrated unmatched versatility. Beyond boxing, Ali’s refusal to fight in the Vietnam War, his stance against racial injustice, and his eloquent, well-spoken manner made him a global symbol of resistance and conviction. He sacrificed years of his prime, went to prison for his beliefs, and still returned to reclaim his title in one of the sport’s greatest comebacks of all time.
That said, it appears Canelo Alvarez, like many others, believes Muhammad Ali is the greatest of all time over Mike Tyson. Do you agree with it?
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