Frank Warren has omitted Mike Tyson from his top 10 greatest heavyweight fighters of all time because “he was sodding around, drugging it and boozing, went to prison”.
Tyson will make a stunning return to the ring at 54 years of age against Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition fight in California on 28 November.
Tyson became the youngest boxer in history to win a world heavyweight title when he dispatched Trevor Berbick at just 20 in 1986 to claim the prestigious WBC belt - currently owned by Tyson Fury after his knockout victory over Deontay Wilder in February.
Despite his reputation as a ferocious puncher and one of the most intimidating fighters in boxing history during his prime, veteran promoter Warren believes his mistakes outside the ring damage his legacy.
Tyson admitted in his autobiography to being “out of control drinking, gorging on food and f****** women”, while he was convicted of rape in 1992 and served three years in jail, all of which combine to damage his reputation against other legends of the division, according to Warren.
“A bit like Daniel Dubois in some ways, he sort of captured the public's imagination in devastating style,” Warren told Talk Sport.
“He won a world title and everybody was talking about him. For me, he was one of the most exciting young heavyweights.
“However, he doesn't get in my top ten because he just did not last the course. He was sodding around, drugging it and boozing, went to prison. He just didn't do it for me.
“As a young man he was very, very exciting and you’ve always got those fights that you think about.
“At his best, would he have beaten Muhammad Ali at Ali’s best? They would always have been great fights.
“But I don’t think he would’ve beaten Sonny Liston, I don’t think he’d have beaten [prime] Larry Holmes, I don’t think he’d have beaten Ali, I don’t think he’d have beaten Joe Frazier and I certainly don’t think he’d have beaten George Foreman.”
