Tyson - Why he just makes top 10, and where did it all go wrong?

I recently published Top 10 Greatest Heavyweights. Here I will try to explain why I had Tyson down at no.10, and where I think it went wrong. Mike Tyson was certainly a phenomenan, at 13 he could have knocked out many men. Blessed with speed and power, and a vast knowledge of boxing and a love for the fight game he looked set to rule the boxing world for a long time. So where did it all go wrong? I feel that although Cus D'Amato helped shape and mould Tyson into a brilliant offensive and defensive fighter, however he set Tyson some very bad examples in life and how to treat fellow human being's. We all know the story of a 16yr old Tyson and Teddy Atlas's 11 yr old neice, and Teddy dragging Tyson into an alley way and putting a gun to a young Tyson's head. D'Amato's response to this was to sack Atlas in order to protect Tyson and his own selfish dream of having the youngest ever Heavyweight champ before he died. There are many instances in which Tyson got involved in, yet every time they were brushed aside. Had they not been and D'Amato been more disciplined he might not have got into so much trouble later in his career. He should have been the greatest of all-time, and possibly could have been had he not lacked one thing. Tyson has always lacked self-confidence, and never liked it when anyone stood up to him, even when winning fights. In his fights with Lewis,Holyfield and Douglas, those who weren't beaten before the bell rang and stood up to him Tyson never fought back and tried to win, he seemed resigned to getting beat. He never quit though and always took his beating's like a man, but he never had the heart to really dig deep when it really mattered. Had he the heart of Holyfield, and been disiplined earlier could have been the greatest ever. That's why he is down at no.10. Your thought's please.

Where did it go wrong? I'm not really sure it actually went wrong. I don't even have Tyson in my top 12 and there's a reason for it. The Tyson everyone thinks "went wrong" was an illusion: He never actually existed. When you combine media hype with a fighter who gives people what they want (brutal KOs) you have the makings of a fantasy. Mike Tyson looked awesome knocking out tomato cans for most of his career. Fighters who generate lots of offense are invariably built up in people's minds into something greater than they really are. People LIKE offense and they like KOs. They WANT fighters like Tyson to be better than they really are. Tyson wasn't a Potemkin Village the way some over-hyped fighters are: There actually WAS some substance behind it; but he was never the unbeatable monster people built him up to be. He was a very good, very entertaining fighter who fought nearly up to, but not all the way, to his potential. He shouldn't be lamented for not remaining something he never was. Where things DID go wrong was in his personal life where his lack up self-control destroyed him not as a fighter but as a human being. THAT is what should be lamented because it's a sad, sad tale. I don't think Mike is a bad person but I think he never learned to control his base impulses. It truly is a shame and I pity him for what he COULD have been as a human being and what is now lost.

Poet

Where did it go wrong? I'm not really sure it actually went wrong. I don't even have Tyson in my top 12 and there's a reason for it. The Tyson everyone thinks "went wrong" was an illusion: He never actually existed. When you combine media hype with a fighter who gives people what they want (brutal KOs) you have the makings of a fantasy. Mike Tyson looked awesome knocking out tomato cans for most of his career. Fighters who generate lots of offense are invariably built up in people's minds into something greater than they really are. People LIKE offense and they like KOs. They WANT fighters like Tyson to be better than they really are. Tyson wasn't a Potemkin Village the way some over-hyped fighters are: There actually WAS some substance behind it; but he was never the unbeatable monster people built him up to be. He was a very good, very entertaining fighter who fought nearly up to, but not all the way, to his potential. He shouldn't be lamented for not remaining something he never was. Where things DID go wrong was in his personal life where his lack up self-control destroyed him not as a fighter but as a human being. THAT is what should be lamented because it's a sad, sad tale. I don't think Mike is a bad person but I think he never learned to control his base impulses. It truly is a shame and I pity him for what he COULD have been as a human being and what is now lost.

Poet
good post. I to agree he was built up a little. But then again he was superb to watch and proberly the most exiting heavyweight to watch of all time.

Tyson - Why he just makes top 10, and where did it all go wrong?

I recently published Top 10 Greatest Heavyweights. Here I will try to explain why I had Tyson down at no.10, and where I think it went wrong. Mike Tyson was certainly a phenomenan, at 13 he could have knocked out many men. Blessed with speed and power, and a vast knowledge of boxing and a love for the fight game he looked set to rule the boxing world for a long time. So where did it all go wrong? I feel that although Cus D'Amato helped shape and mould Tyson into a brilliant offensive and defensive fighter, however he set Tyson some very bad examples in life and how to treat fellow human being's. We all know the story of a 16yr old Tyson and Teddy Atlas's 11 yr old neice, and Teddy dragging Tyson into an alley way and putting a gun to a young Tyson's head. D'Amato's response to this was to sack Atlas in order to protect Tyson and his own selfish dream of having the youngest ever Heavyweight champ before he died. There are many instances in which Tyson got involved in, yet every time they were brushed aside. Had they not been and D'Amato been more disciplined he might not have got into so much trouble later in his career. He should have been the greatest of all-time, and possibly could have been had he not lacked one thing. Tyson has always lacked self-confidence, and never liked it when anyone stood up to him, even when winning fights. In his fights with Lewis,Holyfield and Douglas, those who weren't beaten before the bell rang and stood up to him Tyson never fought back and tried to win, he seemed resigned to getting beat. He never quit though and always took his beating's like a man, but he never had the heart to really dig deep when it really mattered. Had he the heart of Holyfield, and been disiplined earlier could have been the greatest ever. That's why he is down at no.10. Your thought's please.

Where did it all go wrong?

James Douglas, Tokyo, Japan, that's where it alll went wrong for Mike Tyson.

Not it didn't. 2 first round knockouts one being a decent fighter in Stewart. 2 of the best slugfests Tyson ever had in his career against Ruddock. All after Douglass, and he looked so much better in these fights than in the Buster fight. Prison is where it went wrong for Mike.

It didn't go wrong anywhere, he became world champ for God's sake.

Douglas was good for Tyson. Ego was bad for Tyson. Being a kid on top of the world, being told he's invincible, being gifted everything he ever wants and not being told, "no" or given discipline...aweful for anybody! Especially someone as messed up mentally as Tyson.

What poet said. The Tyson who "should have been" the greatest ever NEVER EXISTED. Holyfield and Lewis had more of the fighter in them, and more stability, and always would have edged him anyway.

Three reasons it all went wrong. The Givens women and Don King. Thats a recipe for disaster.

Yea how did it go wrong? he was the youngest HW ever, and unified all 3 belts, he saved boxing in the 80's and was incredible to watch.

To become a 3 time heavyweight champion you need to lose a few belts to, Tyson was untouched for a very long stretch.

hmmm.....

tyson being born into a **** life.

tyson being trained by cus and them to be a fighter but they also didn't do much to improve him as a person.

tyson being crazy.

money.

robin givens.

fame.

don king.

prison.

laziness, overconfidence, probably drink and dope too.

ppl taking advantage of him and his lack of judgment.

his lack of brains.

Maybe roid rage :D And I aint talking about the cured by Preperation-H either LOL!

Poet

Where did it go wrong? I'm not really sure it actually went wrong. I don't even have Tyson in my top 12 and there's a reason for it. The Tyson everyone thinks "went wrong" was an illusion: He never actually existed. When you combine media hype with a fighter who gives people what they want (brutal KOs) you have the makings of a fantasy. Mike Tyson looked awesome knocking out tomato cans for most of his career. Fighters who generate lots of offense are invariably built up in people's minds into something greater than they really are. People LIKE offense and they like KOs. They WANT fighters like Tyson to be better than they really are. Tyson wasn't a Potemkin Village the way some over-hyped fighters are: There actually WAS some substance behind it; but he was never the unbeatable monster people built him up to be. He was a very good, very entertaining fighter who fought nearly up to, but not all the way, to his potential. He shouldn't be lamented for not remaining something he never was. Where things DID go wrong was in his personal life where his lack up self-control destroyed him not as a fighter but as a human being. THAT is what should be lamented because it's a sad, sad tale. I don't think Mike is a bad person but I think he never learned to control his base impulses. It truly is a shame and I pity him for what he COULD have been as a human being and what is now lost.

Poet

Little Harsh it think. Tyson was no Illusion, its plan to see his hand speed his power, his Bobbing and Weaving he would have been a champion in any era. And this Tomato can Business! he fought in a better era than alot of other "Greats" remember he fought in the same era more or less as Evander Holyfield, Lewis, Spinks and The Old Foreman. Alot of people he knocked out hadnt been KOd Before or even on the canvas before. Of course he wasnt an unbeatable fighter, but neither was Liston, Foreman, Frazier or Louis, but they still had the same effect on the people as Tyson did, that doesnt make him any worse of a fighter..everyone can be beat. He had more Potential then any heavyweight, and he almost achieved it..and by looking at what he had already achived it would have been amazing too see him reach his full potential. What happen in Tysons Personnal Life affected his career Big Time! i mean he lost two father figures!, a women he loved took his money and accused him of hitting her and being a manic depresant. Then Don King Comes along and offers tyson for all of that to go away for him to be safe again. Rooney was sacked as was Bill Cayton, tysons Skills Diminished and he downfall began, yet he was still able to win two Heavyweight titles at this stage.

Id also Like to add Tyson Beat these "Tomato Cans" More convincingly then both Holyfield and Lewis

Little Harsh it think. Tyson was no Illusion, its plan to see his hand speed his power, his Bobbing and Weaving he would have been a champion in any era. And this Tomato can Business! he fought in a better era than alot of other "Greats" remember he fought in the same era more or less as Evander Holyfield, Lewis, Spinks and The Old Foreman. Alot of people he knocked out hadnt been KOd Before or even on the canvas before. Of course he wasnt an unbeatable fighter, but neither was Liston, Foreman, Frazier or Louis, but they still had the same effect on the people as Tyson did, that doesnt make him any worse of a fighter..everyone can be beat. He had more Potential then any heavyweight, and he almost achieved it..and by looking at what he had already achived it would have been amazing too see him reach his full potential. What happen in Tysons Personnal Life affected his career Big Time! i mean he lost two father figures!, a women he loved took his money and accused him of hitting her and being a manic depresant. Then Don King Comes along and offers tyson for all of that to go away for him to be safe again. Rooney was sacked as was Bill Cayton, tysons Skills Diminished and he downfall began, yet he was still able to win two Heavyweight titles at this stage.

Id also Like to add Tyson Beat these "Tomato Cans" More convincingly then both Holyfield and Lewis

To be fair, its no more harsh than all of the overrated claims from Tyson's legions of fans. The fact is Tyson was dominant in an era of weak competition. The same thing plagued Marciano and later Larry Holmes. Thats not Tyson's fault its just a by product of the ultra-competitive 70's heavyweights.

The problems I have with placing Tyson among the 10 best is his two devestating losses in his prime years. The destruction at the hands of Buster and the dismantling by Holyfield. Both fights were ones Tyson was supposed dominate against a never was and a has been but that didn't happen.

Now I know there are kinds of reasons and excuses but ultimately everything that happened to Mike were of his own doing. His downfall was caused by things he did to himself. He could have told Don King to piss off but ultimately he wanted the path of least resistance and that caused his destruction.

It's clear Tyson thought he was above everyone, look at his shoddy training methods and lazy gym work before the Douglas fight.

All of these things add up to Tyson NOT being an all-time, top 10 great.

Little Harsh it think. Tyson was no Illusion, its plan to see his hand speed his power, his Bobbing and Weaving he would have been a champion in any era. And this Tomato can Business! he fought in a better era than alot of other "Greats" remember he fought in the same era more or less as Evander Holyfield, Lewis, Spinks and The Old Foreman. Alot of people he knocked out hadnt been KOd Before or even on the canvas before. Of course he wasnt an unbeatable fighter, but neither was Liston, Foreman, Frazier or Louis, but they still had the same effect on the people as Tyson did, that doesnt make him any worse of a fighter..everyone can be beat. He had more Potential then any heavyweight, and he almost achieved it..and by looking at what he had already achived it would have been amazing too see him reach his full potential. What happen in Tysons Personnal Life affected his career Big Time! i mean he lost two father figures!, a women he loved took his money and accused him of hitting her and being a manic depresant. Then Don King Comes along and offers tyson for all of that to go away for him to be safe again. Rooney was sacked as was Bill Cayton, tysons Skills Diminished and he downfall began, yet he was still able to win two Heavyweight titles at this stage.

Id also Like to add Tyson Beat these "Tomato Cans" More convincingly then both Holyfield and Lewis

I really have questions as to how much of an impact Rooney would of actually had if he contiued as Tyson's trainor. Most of reason people believe he would somehow be Tyson's saviour comes from no less than.....Kevin Rooney himself. If you look up shamless self-promoter in the dictionary you'll find Rooney's face there.

As for the era of Tyson's prime (which I would define as from the Ribalta fight through the second Rudduck fight), for the most part is was possibly the second worst (after the current Heavyweight division) I've ever seen. For most of Tyson's prime Holyfield was fighting as a Cruiserweight, Lewis was fighting in the amatuers, Foreman was still fighting club fighters, and Spinks, while a great Light-Heavyweight, was a mediocre Heavyweight. Only a small portion of Tyson's prime was Holyfield a Heavyweight, Lewis was a pro (and even then he was a novice), and Foreman was fighting name fighters. Tyson entered THAT portion of his prime with an ass kicking courtesy of Buster Douglas. Prior to that, Trevor Berbick was a belt holder: That's how bad the division was "gag". I refer to "tomato cans" such as Berbick, Biggs, Tubbs, Williams, and a Thomas who drugs had made into a tomato can. So who were the best fighters he fought? Bonecrusher Smith who refused to fight, Tony Tucker who rocked Tyson's world in the 1st but broke his hand in the 2nd and had no chance after that, Frank Bruno: A good but flawed fighter who matched up all wrong with Tyson, and a 38 year Larry Holmes, way past his prime, not in shape and hadn't fought in two years. This is the "competition" you're extolling.

Poet

Its the time he fought in an he Dominated that era wen he was in his best shape. If he fought dougals while he was in shape and at his best he would of beaten him easy!. If he fought Tomato cans then he beat them in better fashion than lewis and Holyfield. Lewis who struggled with Bruno and was lucky to win! Rooney had tyson respect, he would have been able to train tyson properley, its plain to see how his skills diminished.

As for Two devastating losses, i take it u mean Douglas and Holyfield. Both have their reasons for the loss. But many greats lose in their primes, Lewis lost to two worse Opponents in Rahman and McCall.

Its simple really, it terms of achivement - Tyson is up with the Greats.

In Terms of Attributes - Tyson in up with the greats.

There are losses and not reaching his potential as his only downfall. Which still put him up there despite of this. You judge someones greatness of how great he was, not how great he wasnt. If so Louis, Ali, Lewis, Holyfield would all be judged as incomplete greats. Joe Louis carried on well past his sell by date, but his style made it easier as with Holyfield who now has 9 defeats. Dempsey had the same style as Tyson.. wen he tried to come back look what happend remind while we are on dempsey..which good/decent people did he fight and win? he began his career 0-1-0 and had 11 draws to his name! just some things that are not associated to a great but his still on my list

Its the time he fought in an he Dominated that era wen he was in his best shape. If he fought dougals while he was in shape and at his best he would of beaten him easy!. If he fought Tomato cans then he beat them in better fashion than lewis and Holyfield. Lewis who struggled with Bruno and was lucky to win! Rooney had tyson respect, he would have been able to train tyson properley, its plain to see how his skills diminished.

As for Two devastating losses, i take it u mean Douglas and Holyfield. Both have their reasons for the loss. But many greats lose in their primes, Lewis lost to two worse Opponents in Rahman and McCall.

Its simple really, it terms of achivement - Tyson is up with the Greats.

In Terms of Attributes - Tyson in up with the greats.

There are losses and not reaching his potential as his only downfall. Which still put him up there despite of this. You judge someones greatness of how great he was, not how great he wasnt. If so Louis, Ali, Lewis, Holyfield would all be judged as incomplete greats. Joe Louis carried on well past his sell by date, but his style made it easier as with Holyfield who now has 9 defeats. Dempsey had the same style as Tyson.. wen he tried to come back look what happend remind while we are on dempsey..which good/decent people did he fight and win? he began his career 0-1-0 and had 11 draws to his name! just some things that are not associated to a great but his still on my list



Of all those guys you mentioned - other than Lewis - none of them got completely dismantled by guys they were easily supposed to steamroll. Lewis got KO'd by two guys but he came back and rectified it. Tyson couldn't rectify his loss because the choices he made in life robbed him of that opprotunity.

The fact I'm trying to make is that Mike Tyson, although dominant in his era, lost two fights he was supposed to win. Got totally torn apart. Despite what alot of people assert these losses were in his prime years. He wasn't in shape? Whose fault would that be? No one else can make him train and that adds to the overall cloudiness of his legacy.

Everything you point to as excuses or reasons why such and such happened were all perpetuated because of Mike's own decisions. His demise is placed clearly in how own hands.

Three reasons it all went wrong. The Givens women and Don King. Thats a recipe for disaster.

yep that has something to do with his down fall

Where did it go wrong? I'm not really sure it actually went wrong. I don't even have Tyson in my top 12 and there's a reason for it. The Tyson everyone thinks "went wrong" was an illusion: He never actually existed. When you combine media hype with a fighter who gives people what they want (brutal KOs) you have the makings of a fantasy. Mike Tyson looked awesome knocking out tomato cans for most of his career. Fighters who generate lots of offense are invariably built up in people's minds into something greater than they really are. People LIKE offense and they like KOs. They WANT fighters like Tyson to be better than they really are. Tyson wasn't a Potemkin Village the way some over-hyped fighters are: There actually WAS some substance behind it; but he was never the unbeatable monster people built him up to be. He was a very good, very entertaining fighter who fought nearly up to, but not all the way, to his potential. He shouldn't be lamented for not remaining something he never was. Where things DID go wrong was in his personal life where his lack up self-control destroyed him not as a fighter but as a human being. THAT is what should be lamented because it's a sad, sad tale. I don't think Mike is a bad person but I think he never learned to control his base impulses. It truly is a shame and I pity him for what he COULD have been as a human being and what is now lost.

Poet
WOW, this guy said tomato cans but I can name about 50 for every great fighter that exist. Ali Marciano Louis Holmes Foreman etc they all faced bums if you will. To say all Tyson faced was tomato cans is a sure statement to the knowledge you have no clue of. Your way off idiot! Mentally is where Tyson went wrong, getting involved with the wrong people who influenced him of all the wrong things. Tyson himself said before all this **** happened his professional life never interfered with his personal that was until Givens and Don King stepped into the scene. Everyone wants a KO artist and that is the truth, going 12 rounds is just something the people do not want to see now a days or even in Tyson's era. When Cus passed away Tyson made a promise that he would become the champion of the world and no one would stand in his way, honestly I do believe if you put anyone and most in his way from the history of boxing and Tyson would have handled it with perfection. His style was suited for him and he used it very well.


P.s. I still can't get over how many idiots there are like you who claim Tyson fought nothing but bums when in fact all the great fighters in the history of boxing have faced them, that is what separates the best from the idiots like yourself!

Maybe roid rage :D And I aint talking about the cured by Preperation-H either LOL!

Poet
Yes the idiot comes back with roid rage! Why not jump onto the subject of Evander Holyfield if we are talking about roid rage! That guy jumped from into a heavier weight within months and we all know working out naturally doesn't cause that.

Where is the proof that Tyson even took roids idiot? He was 200 ****ing pounds at 15 years of age are you that ****ing thick headed kid?

WOW, this guy said tomato cans but I can name about 50 for every great fighter that exist. Ali Marciano Louis Holmes Foreman etc they all faced bums if you will. To say all Tyson faced was tomato cans is a sure statement to the knowledge you have no clue of. Your way off idiot! Mentally is where Tyson went wrong, getting involved with the wrong people who influenced him of all the wrong things. Tyson himself said before all this **** happened his professional life never interfered with his personal that was until Givens and Don King stepped into the scene. Everyone wants a KO artist and that is the truth, going 12 rounds is just something the people do not want to see now a days or even in Tyson's era. When Cus passed away Tyson made a promise that he would become the champion of the world and no one would stand in his way, honestly I do believe if you put anyone and most in his way from the history of boxing and Tyson would have handled it with perfection. His style was suited for him and he used it very well.




P.s. I still can't get over how many idiots there are like you who claim Tyson fought nothing but bums when in fact all the great fighters in the history of boxing have faced them, that is what separates the best from the idiots like yourself!

On another thread you posted this:

"Please *******, first you don't even know how to spell so how in the hell are you to call yourself an expert? Second this boxing site is nothing more than a cheap shot imitation of the far better ones available. Third I know more about boxing than your ass can look up on GOOGLE! Lastly, I came onto this site to prove you idiots the real deal about boxing and that is what I am doing kid!

**** OFF KID!"

First off I also post on some of the forums you're refering to. I am a well respected member of them. Secondly, I've probably forgotten more about boxing than you're ever likely to know. I'm FAR from being a kid, in fact I'd hazzard to say I'm older than you and probably older than the vast majority of posters here.

Now, when Tyson was in his prime he faced three quality fighters: Bonecrusher Smith (who wouldn't fight), Tony Tucker (who broke his hand in the second round), and Razor Rudduck (who gave Tyson the two fights of his life). I never brought Marciano up, YOU did. I never argued that Marciano DIDN'T fight in a particularly weak era: He did. Ali, Louis, Holmes, and Foreman had, at least, a number of quality fighters on there resume; something Tyson (and yes, Marciano) lacked. Louis in particular seems to catch heat but he was fighting a dozen fights a year and when you fight THAT often you eventually run out of worthy challengers.

I stand by my assesment of that era of Heavyweight boxing: It was one of the worst I've ever seen. People such as yourself are on a campaign to make that era seem better than it was, all in an effort to make your boy Tyson look better than he was. It isn't going to happen because no matter how badly you want it, you can't make chicken salad out of chicken ****. Only a die hard Tyson nuthugger would try. You come across as a particularly obnoxious example of one of those: Someone who's OPINIONS may be safely disregarded.

Poet

On another thread you posted this:

"Please *******, first you don't even know how to spell so how in the hell are you to call yourself an expert? Second this boxing site is nothing more than a cheap shot imitation of the far better ones available. Third I know more about boxing than your ass can look up on GOOGLE! Lastly, I came onto this site to prove you idiots the real deal about boxing and that is what I am doing kid!

**** OFF KID!"



Check out his ramblings, and supposed knowledge, in the all-time light heavyweight and rocky marciano threads.:wtf1:

Along with most of his...ahem...assertations in this thread it should tell you all you need to know. :haha:

Check out his ramblings, and supposed knowledge, in the all-time light heavyweight and rocky marciano threads.:wtf1:

Along with most of his...ahem...assertations in this thread it should tell you all you need to know. :haha:

Yeah, I just *****slapped over on the Light-Heavy thread too.

Poet

Of all those guys you mentioned - other than Lewis - none of them got completely dismantled by guys they were easily supposed to steamroll. Lewis got KO'd by two guys but he came back and rectified it. Tyson couldn't rectify his loss because the choices he made in life robbed him of that opprotunity.

The fact I'm trying to make is that Mike Tyson, although dominant in his era, lost two fights he was supposed to win. Got totally torn apart. Despite what alot of people assert these losses were in his prime years. He wasn't in shape? Whose fault would that be? No one else can make him train and that adds to the overall cloudiness of his legacy.

Everything you point to as excuses or reasons why such and such happened were all perpetuated because of Mike's own decisions. His demise is placed clearly in how own hands.


Tyson didnt have the chance to fight douglas again, but in the shape he was in it would of been an easy fight. Everyone knows the Art of Don King, he has done it to many other fighters and he hit tyson probably the worst..yes tyson chose his path, but he was usherd in by Don King, and Crushed by Robin givens!. Tyson was the most dominant of all the fighters in his era and most eras. In his years as champion he fought more people than Holyfield who was champ five times. He fought more than any other champion bar mayb Joe Louis, so you could say Poet that he also ran out of credible opponents. He wasnt in shape because he had awful trainers for one, and a ton of Yes men. I agree this is partly down to tyson but he wasnt as mentally strong as some other Boxers. But he had rooney and jacobs at the beginning who would comfort him, train him and not let him get into trouble.

On another thread you posted this:

"Please *******, first you don't even know how to spell so how in the hell are you to call yourself an expert? Second this boxing site is nothing more than a cheap shot imitation of the far better ones available. Third I know more about boxing than your ass can look up on GOOGLE! Lastly, I came onto this site to prove you idiots the real deal about boxing and that is what I am doing kid!

**** OFF KID!"

First off I also post on some of the forums you're refering to. I am a well respected member of them. Secondly, I've probably forgotten more about boxing than you're ever likely to know. I'm FAR from being a kid, in fact I'd hazzard to say I'm older than you and probably older than the vast majority of posters here.

Now, when Tyson was in his prime he faced three quality fighters: Bonecrusher Smith (who wouldn't fight), Tony Tucker (who broke his hand in the second round), and Razor Rudduck (who gave Tyson the two fights of his life). I never brought Marciano up, YOU did. I never argued that Marciano DIDN'T fight in a particularly weak era: He did. Ali, Louis, Holmes, and Foreman had, at least, a number of quality fighters on there resume; something Tyson (and yes, Marciano) lacked. Louis in particular seems to catch heat but he was fighting a dozen fights a year and when you fight THAT often you eventually run out of worthy challengers.

I stand by my assesment of that era of Heavyweight boxing: It was one of the worst I've ever seen. People such as yourself are on a campaign to make that era seem better than it was, all in an effort to make your boy Tyson look better than he was. It isn't going to happen because no matter how badly you want it, you can't make chicken salad out of chicken ****. Only a die hard Tyson nuthugger would try. You come across as a particularly obnoxious example of one of those: Someone who's OPINIONS may be safely disregarded.

Poet

lol, you sound like a 12 year old trying to hard to sound like an old man. Truth is pal, your just one too many memory cells short of knowing how good allot of Tyson's opponents were. Larry Holmes, who went on to fight incredible distance wars Holyfield, Mercer, Smith. Never once tasted the canvas like he did with Tyson. You can't sit there and say age had everything to do with it when Holmes himself said he was feeling great and in shape to fight, sparring 15 rounds just to prove it, wanted to knock Tyson out! Michael Spink, the light heavyweight who went undefeated all the way til meeting Mike Tyson. Had two awesome wars with Holmes in which case you can argue went either way but in favor for Spinks, he then knocks out arguably one of the hardest punchers in the history of boxing Jerry Cooney to retain his respect in the heavyweight division. Pinklon Thomas who was on the sprint to get back what was taken from him years before facing Tyson his title. Losing it to Trevor Berbick and it also being his first lose, he was known for having a solid chin prior to fighting Tyson and was never knocked down or out in his whole career, Tyson is the only man to knock Thomas out. Alex Stewart, who was also a great fighter prior to fighting Tyson with only one defeat against the hands of Evander Holyfield who couldn't knock Stewart out but rather a win by TKO. Tyson the very next year destroyed Stewart in one round knocking him down three times with one punch for each knockdown. Stewart also gave George Foreman a run for his money, although he lost the fight, Foreman's face was clearly unrecognizable by the end.

Pal you wouldn't know a natural puncher if one smacked you across your ignorant face. Prior to fighting Berbick for his title, no one in the history of boxing would have stopped Tyson from obtaining the WBC title and becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in the history of heavyweight boxing.

You have your opinion, just like I have mine. The problem is, you have no real clue as to how much you really sound arrogant and delusional to the fact that you know nothing about this sport. The sport of boxing as well as any other contact sport similar to boxing is all about having a stable mental physic. You lose interest and you lose the desire to succeed. Holyfield Lewis hell even McBride all faced a Tyson in desperate need of money. Tyson was wanting Holyfield all through the 80's. After his first fight with Frank Bruno he made it clear that he has been wanting Holyfield. It was always Don King who made the decisions, because it was Don King who wanted money. Figured that he could make some easy cash of Mike by setting him up with a line up of bums before he faced Holyfield. It was always Don Kings way to be the slickest of everyone around him. Mike wasn't properly trained nor was he mentally focused for that fight. His corner men looked like a bunch of monkeys with tools they didn't even know how to use. It was clear that Tyson became an emotional wreck because of all the misleads he was given in life. You have to realize that the emotional stage of a fighter is the key to how a fighter competes. I don't call fighting for money a result of the love for the sport. I call it a desperate attempt to gather yourself from the pit hole you seem to be in. If anyone who hasn't noticed, prior to losing Kevin Rooney Tyson was mentally intact. Every time he looked like he was in trouble Rooney was there to keep him afloat, he was literally unbeatable. Show some respect *******, I'm pretty sure your mother wouldn't be to proud to discover the thug bum who pretends to be an old retarded man she has raised or is raising! Stay off the crack kid!!!

p.s.
LHTS kid!:boxing:

metalinmybrain quote


"lol, you sound like a 12 year old trying to hard to sound like an old man. Truth is pal, your just one too many memory cells short of knowing how good allot of Tyson's opponents were. Larry Holmes, who went on to fight incredible distance wars Holyfield, Mercer, Smith. Never once tasted the canvas like he did with Tyson. You can't sit there and say age had everything to do with it when Holmes himself said he was feeling great and in shape to fight, sparring 15 rounds just to prove it, wanted to knock Tyson out! Michael Spink, the light heavyweight who went undefeated all the way til meeting Mike Tyson. Had two awesome wars with Holmes in which case you can argue went either way but in favor for Spinks, he then knocks out arguably one of the hardest punchers in the history of boxing Jerry Cooney to retain his respect in the heavyweight division. Pinklon Thomas who was on the sprint to get back what was taken from him years before facing Tyson his title. Losing it to Trevor Berbick and it also being his first lose, he was known for having a solid chin prior to fighting Tyson and was never knocked down or out in his whole career, Tyson is the only man to knock Thomas out. Alex Stewart, who was also a great fighter prior to fighting Tyson with only one defeat against the hands of Evander Holyfield who couldn't knock Stewart out but rather a win by TKO. Tyson the very next year destroyed Stewart in one round knocking him down three times with one punch for each knockdown. Stewart also gave George Foreman a run for his money, although he lost the fight, Foreman's face was clearly unrecognizable by the end.

Pal you wouldn't know a natural puncher if one smacked you across your ignorant face. Prior to fighting Berbick for his title, no one in the history of boxing would have stopped Tyson from obtaining the WBC title and becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in the history of heavyweight boxing.

You have your opinion, just like I have mine. The problem is, you have no real clue as to how much you really sound arrogant and delusional to the fact that you know nothing about this sport. The sport of boxing as well as any other contact sport similar to boxing is all about having a stable mental physic. You lose interest and you lose the desire to succeed. Holyfield Lewis hell even McBride all faced a Tyson in desperate need of money. Tyson was wanting Holyfield all through the 80's. After his first fight with Frank Bruno he made it clear that he has been wanting Holyfield. It was always Don King who made the decisions, because it was Don King who wanted money. Figured that he could make some easy cash of Mike by setting him up with a line up of bums before he faced Holyfield. It was always Don Kings way to be the slickest of everyone around him. Mike wasn't properly trained nor was he mentally focused for that fight. His corner men looked like a bunch of monkeys with tools they didn't even know how to use. It was clear that Tyson became an emotional wreck because of all the misleads he was given in life. You have to realize that the emotional stage of a fighter is the key to how a fighter competes. I don't call fighting for money a result of the love for the sport. I call it a desperate attempt to gather yourself from the pit hole you seem to be in. If anyone who hasn't noticed, prior to losing Kevin Rooney Tyson was mentally intact. Every time he looked like he was in trouble Rooney was there to keep him afloat, he was literally unbeatable. Show some respect *******, I'm pretty sure your mother wouldn't be to proud to discover the thug bum who pretends to be an old retarded man she has raised or is raising! Stay off the crack kid!!!

p.s.
LHTS kid!"

You know, for someone with fewer than a hundred posts you sure talk a lot of smack and have accumulated quite a bit of red karma. Does your mommy know you spend this much time on the computer Junior? In any case I'm now bored with you and am no longer inclined to toy with you like a cat does a cricket. From here on out you've joined the list of the damned found at the bottom of my signature. Enjoy your stay in chat hell!

Poet

Poet.. do you really think That Tyson took steriods?

5



That's how many belts Tyson took. Heavyweight Champion is a name few hold. Tyson is one of them.

hey poet, your a ****ing idiot, you have no proof of Tyson taking roids like you always say.

have you ever seen someone on roids? they look all puffy and ripped.

Poet.. do you really think That Tyson took steriods?

I don't know one way or the other but I DO remember the allegations at the time. I don't think Tyson can be convicted without an admission or a trial: The people so quick to condemn Holyfield need to extend to him the same courtesy. Clearly some fighters have been caught red-handed such as Tommy Morrison and James Toney. But until such time I don't think a fighter should be unfairly labled.

Poet

He Doesnt show the signs of taking Steroids. Everyone knows he was a gym rat. And his angry problems started b4 he was boxing! i honestly think he didnt.

He Doesnt show the signs of taking Steroids. Everyone knows he was a gym rat. And his angry problems started b4 he was boxing! i honestly think he didnt.

He wasn't a gym rat after Rooney was fired.

Training wise mayb not. But conditioning i think he still was, to a certain stage at Prison he would work out a hell of alot and used Weights much more than he did before. He has said in many interviews he was vain and worked out alot. But its different to boxing training

He wasn't a gym rat after Rooney was fired.

yea He was and still is, in a recent interview the guy still runs 7 km every morning and lifts weights. He said he gets angry with himself and pushes even harder.

People are always trying to downgrade him, they refuse to view him as a great fighter.

yea He was and still is, in a recent interview the guy still runs 7 km every morning and lifts weights. He said he gets angry with himself and pushes even harder.

People are always trying to downgrade him, they refuse to view him as a great fighter.


Really? He's a gym rat to this day? WOW!































He must be going to a different kind of gym then - here is a pic of Mike from August.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tmz.com/media/2007/07/0717_mike_tyson_flynet.jpg

His not a gym rat to this day. He has a court case at the moment so must have alot of things on his mind. Im not even sure he carried on after he quit boxing