Mike Tyson’s Surprising Ranking in Heavyweight Boxing
In an astonishing development, Mike Tyson remains listed among the top 100 heavyweights in the United States despite not having a victory in over two decades and recently attending a defeat against YouTube sensation Jake Paul. This unusual placement comes from BoxRec, which ranks Tyson at #74 in the heavyweight category, just edging out Tyrrell Herndon at #73, who recently lost to Deontay Wilder, and narrowly ahead of newcomer Darius East, who holds an unbeaten record at #75. Globally, Tyson is positioned at #338 for heavyweight rankings, an even more curious standing at over 7,000 in the pound-for-pound category, highlighting the oddities of such algorithm-driven rating systems.
Return to the Ring
At age 59, Tyson found himself back in the boxing spotlight during a controversial eight-round professional bout against Paul, held in Arlington, Texas, in November 2024. Although Tyson displayed moments of fighting spirit, the encounter ended with a unanimous decision against him, triggering his reclassification as an ‘active boxer’ for a year under BoxRec’s rules. These rankings rely heavily on recent outcomes rather than historical achievements, resulting in Tyson’s illustrious past being rendered irrelevant in terms of his current standing.
Legacy and Challenges
Remarkably, despite securing his last win in the ring against Clifford Etienne back in February 2003, Tyson is grouped with contemporary fighters who are still establishing their careers. Within a wider context, his record shows just one win in nearly a quarter-century of competition. Tyson’s rise began in the mid-1980s when he seized the title of the youngest heavyweight champion at just 20 years old after overpowering Trevor Berbick. He swiftly unified the heavyweight division and became a dominant force revered around the globe.
However, a series of personal struggles, including incarceration and performance declines, saw him exit the sport post losses to Danny Williams and Kevin McBride in the mid-2000s. His recent attempt at a comeback highlighted once more the relentless nature of time, a factor that equally affects even the mightiest champions. While no ranking can ever erase his remarkable contributions and legacy in boxing, witnessing ‘Iron Mike’ ranked alongside lesser-known competitors shines a harsh light on the realities of returning to the ring after so many years away.
