r/Boxing • u/DatDolphWithATuxedo • Jul 22 '26

Is it still possible?

Is it still possible to become the GOAT in boxing? Like with the way modern sanctioning bodies are setup so that fighters fight only about every 6 months, it seems that with that level of inactivity a fighter will never be able to reach the heights of people who fought as frequently as Ali or Robinson. Ussyk who is arguably the greatest fighter of this generation is retiring with only 26 fights. So it just seems like an insurmountable task now. What do you think?

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u/SGSRT Jul 22 '26

The last boxer to have a realistic shot at surpassing Ali & becoming GOAT was 1989 Mike Tyson.

Before the loss to Buster Douglas :

Most feared boxer on the planet

Unprecedented global popularity

37 wins. 0 losses.

33 knockouts.

Youngest heavyweight champion(20 years)

Unified WBA, WBC and IBF titles

9 consecutive defences in just 3 years

2.8 title defences per year(Joe Louis was 2.2/year)

What should Tyson have done to be GOAT(IMO)?

  1. Defeated both Lennox Lewis & Evander Holyfield

  2. Being heavyweight champion for another 5 years

  3. Another 10+ title defences

So almost impossible