Was Mike Tyson's career the biggest fraud ever perpetuated in boxing? Did he beat up a bunch of cab drivers and flight attendants early on to scare fighters that had a chance to beat him? Meanwhile, skillfully avoiding the fighters that would definately beat him (Holyfield, Bowe, Lewis)? Was going to jail actually good for his legacy because he got to avoid those guys until he had an excuse to lose?
2007-06-19 09:45:05 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Boxing
I think you hit the nail on the head, I was a teenager when Tyson was in his "prime" and for a long time I had a distorted view of the reality. But a few months back I was watching a show on ESPN Classic showing Tyson's early years and greatest KO's and I will admit that the guys Tyson tore threw were BUMS!!!!! When he started getting his taste of true contenders he was getting Knocked The F**K out!!!! Nuff Said.
2007-06-20 03:22:05 · answer #1 · answered by gymrat0187 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When Mike Tyson had Kevin Rooney in his corner & was motivated to fight he was unstoppable & would have beaten anyone in the 80's & 90's. He would have stopped Lennox because Lennox wouldn't have fought him smart & would have gotten caught like he did against Oliver McCall. Riddick Bowe was the biggest fraud in boxing history he would have boxed Tyson but you want to talk about someone that wouldn't have lasted very long. Once Bowe was actually hit & knocked down by Holyfield then you had stiffs like Andrew Golta beating the crap out of him twice. Yes Bowe got the win because Golita was too stupid to quit hitting low but in each fight Golita was way ahead. Tyson would have worked his body & Bowe would have quit. Holyfield would have been a good fight because of Holyfield's determination but the young prime Tyson wouldn't have taken all those shots & would have listened to his corner & figured out what to do & he would have beaten Holyfield also. Mike had a lot of out of the ring problems, however he is the most exciting fighter in the last 20 years since Ali.
2007-06-20 03:26:45 · answer #2 · answered by Big E 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The problem with Tyson isn't talent. It's ALWAYS been discipline. From the ear biting with Holyfield, to hitting on the break/after the bell, to off-ring ridiculousness, it's always turned the powerful slugger into a freak show. I feel he became a one-dimensional knockout artist, abandoning his jab, since age 19, and this is his ultimate professional flaw.
If you're suggesting he didn't fight anybody, you don't know boxing history so you shouldn't be talking smack. Buster Douglas fought an excellent fight plan and was motivated for the only time in his career when he beat Tyson.
2007-06-19 10:02:13 · answer #3 · answered by Your Uncle Dodge! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first part of Tyson's career was no Fraud at all. He was destroying everyone they had him fight. He could have ranked in the top three heavyweights of all time if it was not for Don King. Look at Mike Tyson before Don King nobody could compete with him. He had excellent head movement and speed and boxing skills. He had trainers who actually cared about him and had him under controll. Once Don King took over his career he fired Mike's original trainers and put in his henchman. They did not know much of anything about training a fighter. Evidence of this is the fight with Buster Douglas. When Mike Tyson's eye was swollen what did his trainers do? They blew up a latex glove and put cold water in it! To think that the heavyweight champion of the world had bozo's like this around him is unbelievable. With these new trainers Mike stopped bobbing and weaving he stopped thorowing combinations everything was just trying to land the one big punch. Before mike would set you up to land a big punch. Tyson even admits tht he should have stayed with his old trainers.
2007-06-19 23:10:35 · answer #4 · answered by Joe B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tyson started looking human for two reasons:
1. Lack of focus, not the most balanced person out there
2. He started fighting flat footed as a 5'11" heavyweight
Had he kept in shape and fought with the same defensive skill as in his prime, he would have likely continued with success. People forget that he was very good with lateral movement and had quick hands.
Think of it this way.......look at the pounding he took in the Douglas fight with little to no preparation. It took quite a bit of pounding on Douglas' part to get Tyson out of there. He could definitely take some punishment.
How long would that fight had lasted if the "real" Tyson was in Tokyo?
I would have loved to have seen him take on Lewis.......and I can see why Tyson (at that time) would not have wanted to fight Lewis. Lewis was imposing. Maybe we would have seen Lewis' weak jaw sooner.
2007-06-19 16:35:29 · answer #5 · answered by ricpr1966 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have liked to step into the ring with an 18 year old Mike Tyson but I sure wouldn't have.
2007-06-19 09:49:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mike fought alot of names, he was just un-disciplined and fell apart.
Ali would've beat him.
2007-06-19 15:40:23 · answer #7 · answered by jdp000109 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you hit the nail on the head with that comment. I agree 110%
2007-06-19 09:48:36 · answer #8 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ali said and i quote in his prime mike could beat anyone even him.
2007-06-19 11:01:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋