I was just watching a highlight reel of Tyson and it occurs to me how little respect both this trainers get in relation to what they achieved with Tyson.
Sure Tyson was a 1 in a billion fighter but no other trainers nor mentors could have produced the same fighter with the man they were given and I truly believe that. Any other combination of fighters and Tyson would probably have ended a journeyman at best.
With D'amato & Rooney the stars were alligned so to speak and everything came together perfectly. Tyson was the man ready to learn with the physical skill. D'amato was the father figure who gave him guidance, strength, love and a stable home. Rooney was the trainer / co trainer who drove him to live, sleep and eat boxing while preparting training and a fighting style that was wholly unique and specific for Mike.
Together all three lived boxing and created the perfect regime for Tyson. You only need to look at what happened when he sacked Rooney and Cus died for proof.
When you remember prime Tyson I think it's also prudent to think of prime Tyson as more a collective of these three great men than a great fighter because without them I don't think he would have ever gotten toachieve what he did.
I think the death of Cus is mis understood. Cus died around when Tyson had around his 10th pro fight. He went on to win to do great things without Cus around
However if Cus was alive - I'm sure Tyson wouldn't have just became the youngest world heavyweight champion but breaking Marcianos 49-0 record and becoming the greatest heavyweight of all time. Along being the one of the greatest fighters ever lived
Thats the difference between d'amato and Rooney.. Tyson had respect for cus as a father whereas rooney was just a brother.
Technically Mike Tyson is massively overrated, take away his power and he would not be a quarter of the fighter he was.
I wouldnt say that at all. Mike was very good technically in the beginning of his career when he was with Cus and Rooney. Tyson executed Cus' peekaboo style almost to perfection. He was very effective in getting inside with ducking and slipping.
But after rooney was fired his style almost completely changed. He fought loose and relied less on slipping punches and focused more on setting up KO power shots. physically and mentally he wasnt the same after cus, then rooney.