For years, Mayweather and Pacquiao were considered the two best fighters in the world, pound-for-pound. Pacquiao has slipped recently, however, following back-to-back losses, while Mayweather reasserted himself as the best boxer in the world.
“Those guys, you know, you could say that those guys have paid their dues, and those guys are all time greats,” Tyson said in an interview with On the Ropes Boxing Radio.
“Iron Mike” did not say who he believes is the “greatest of all time,” but said Pacquiao and Mayweather belong in the conversation.
“These guys, Mayweather, him and Pacquiao, they put it down, man. The world knows who they are, and that’s what it’s all about,” Tyson said. “You dominate your generation, and the world knows who you are.”
Tyson, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011, also explained his philosophy when it comes to being considered a great boxer.
“As long as they are recording fighting and they will mention your name, that’s what boxing and fighting is all about,” he said. “It’s for your name to be mentioned and as long as they record fighting – not necessarily boxing, but fighting.”
“As long as fighting is mentioned, your name will be mentioned. That’s what we do this stuff for – that’s what real fighters do this stuff for,” Tyson added.
“You can only spend so much money. It comes and goes, and then the next thing we know, believe it or not, we’re gonna die. But that stays forever.”
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
