Mike Tyson names Sugar Ray Robinson and Chavez as better than Floyd Mayweather

The former undisputed heavyweight champion said Mayweather's unbeaten 50-0 record does not make him the greatest, pointing to the long winning runs of Sugar Ray Robinson and Julio Cesar Chavez.

Mike Tyson has said Floyd Mayweather Jr should not be regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time, naming Sugar Ray Robinson and Julio Cesar Chavez as two fighters who rank above him.

Tyson's case rests on the length of their unbeaten runs. Mayweather retired with a perfect 50-0 record after winning world titles in five weight classes, but Tyson argued that Robinson and Chavez went further without defeat.

Speaking in an interview, Tyson said: “Floyd’s a great fighter don’t get me wrong but listen Sugar Ray Robinson had 47 fights, he lost one then he had a 78 fight winning streak.” He added: “Don’t tell me about he’s [Mayweather] the greatest fighter with 50 and 0, you’re great no doubt about it but no, [Julio Cesar] Chavez had 90 [fights before he lost].” Tyson speaks with considerable standing on the subject. He became the youngest world heavyweight champion in history in 1986, taking the WBC title from Trevor Berbick at 20 years and 145 days old, and added the WBA and IBF belts with wins over James Smith and Tony Tucker to become undisputed champion a month after his 21st birthday.

Mayweather announced his retirement from professional boxing in 2017, shortly after stopping UFC star Conor McGregor in the 10th round of their crossover fight in Las Vegas. He has since boxed only in exhibitions.

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