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[QUOTE="Dogdeacon, post: 2956957, member: 1026"]
The first heavyweight anyone mentions is Ali. He had the best fights, was the most iconic and beat every one. Peak Ali pre-suspension was the fastest heavyweight of all-time by a lot and had the chin that was on display vs Frazier, Foreman et all later. Even if you retain the 'your guy growing up' awe of Tyson's power, Ali's mental game would have absolutely devastated Tyson.

In terms of Sugar Ray, his bouts vs Hearns, Duran & Hagler were as big as any ever ushered in the modern pay-per-view at home era and given that he was a welterweight/middleweight this is even more impressive. The breadth of Sugar Ray's career (early appointment TV on ABC) and the many opponents and years on PPV and in arenas (I saw Sugar Ray v Hagler at the freaking Hartford Civic Center on PPV) is really impressive. Just 3yrs after Leonard-Hagler, most people weren't even watching Tyson-Douglas.

The 80,000 times thing is a perfect illustration of the Tyson fanboy bias - Leonard v Hagler grossed 130M in 87, Tyson v Spinks 2 yrs later did 150M. Even not taking into account how PPV grew exponentially or inflation that's 6.50% annually better < 80,000 ;)
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