The Myth Of Mike Tyson

[BKM-]

He had a good chin at heavyweight. I think the effects of a granite chin were aided by his 20" neck which had incredible shock absorbing power.

Yes, and it took some REAL power to snap Tyson's neck back like Razor Ruddock did. Buster Douglass did it aswell, and people say he was a weak puncher. Tyson had a close to granite chin, because when you think about getting your head snapped back over and over for 10 rounds(Thats gotta hurt man, thats gotta hurt) and your still standing, your chin can take some hard shots.

[Abe Attell]

I remember when Holyfield was asked if he was concerned about fighting Buster, and he said "yes, any man that can knock down a fighter with a jab you have to worry." {not exact quotes, but close}

Buster seemed to be a fighter that didn't commit to his punches early in his career, until he had something to fight for.
It might be kind of like Tarver: when Tarver fights he really doesn't throw everything into that left, but when he does, throwing his entire body into the punch, it is a big punch.

[Abe Attell]

yeah but could tyson of ever developed in to a classy boxer?.

Maybe if Cus D'amato was younger, like when he trained Floyd Patterson, he could of helped changed his "character" like he did with Floyd...but of course, Cus died and all went to hell, especially after Jacobs died...rememeber, Floyd was kind of like Tyson when he was very young, and it took Cus to help guide,teach,change him.

[kerrminator]

You just have to look at Tyson speed and power in his prime to know he was a great fighter.

Anyone who denies it are usually Lewis or Ali fans that are angry coz a yob like Mike Tyson is ranked up there with their man.

Ali surely has to be the most mythical of them all, if he was as good as people say he would have beaten everyone he faced regardless of age.

Ali was like the old days PBF, over-rated and over hyped

[Brassangel]

Ali is helped out a little by his mythical status, but that doesn't change the fact that he was great. His myth was developed simply because he brought something amazing to the ring.

Tyson's "myth" was formed in similar fashion. It's simple: the man brought amazing skill, speed, power, and even stamina to the ring. He tore people down in a way that hadn't been seen before. Before he went to prison, and after he lost to Douglas, he looked really good while climbing back through the contenders. It's a shame that he threw it out the window. What I'm saying is, there were moments during his career where he displayed heart, where he displayed good body work, etc. Had he continued on that stretch, he would be seated near the top appropriately, instead of by the aid of myth. We only get to see pieces of his greatness, spread out over multiple fights. There were few cases where he brought it all together at once. Had he done so, he would have been a top 5 champion.

As a side note, it was so disappointing to see in his second fight with Holyfield, where he had Evander in trouble in the third round and he tossed it by getting DQ'ed. He really blew it when he had a chance at redemption. Reasons like this are why he is simple the greatest "could/should have been".

[BKM-]

I take it that you watched the Ruddock fights, Brassangel. He really did have heart, body work(few thing were missing though) but especially heart. People need to watch those fights. Everytime i hear someone say 'If someone fights Tyson back, he folds.' i know they havent seen his best fights. Ruddock nailed Tyson a lot of times and snapped his head back too. Ruddock was one of the hardest hitters ever and he fought Tyson back, but he couldn't stop this warrior. Anyway, you are right, there were times where he had it all, but most of the time he didnt, and people look at the negative stuff. They have no idea.

[micky_knox]

why do tyson haters always bring up Ali's opposition?

so what if ali fought fraizer,foreman ect..........that has nothing to do with tyson.
tyson dominated and was destructivly awesome.........nobody can deny that

damn if tyson was fighting in Ali's era you would be listing him as one of ali's greatest foes too.

[SABBATH]

if tyson was fighting in Ali's era you would be listing him as one of ali's greatest foes too.

And today Ali would be missing part of his ear...

[micky_knox]

And today Ali would be missing part of his ear...

not if Ali managed to "split" his glove first

[BKM-]

not if Ali managed to "split" his glove first

Hahaha good ownage.