The Myth Of Mike Tyson

[Hawkins]

Just the same way that the death of cus affected tyson yet he still won all 3 belts aswell..also the death of Jimmy Jacobs. They both channeld it well into boxing.

Well the entire point was, someone mentioned (I think anyway) that Tyson was majorly distracted in the Douglas fight. You guys fail to consider Douglas' mother died as well. Tit for tat.

[The Iron Man]

But there is a difference between the two. Douglas was inspired he had to win this fight for his mum she believed in him. Where as the women tyson loved was leaving him sueing him he had fierd his trainer since he had begun (basically). They are two different types of mental issues.

[Hawkins]

But there is a difference between the two. Douglas was inspired he had to win this fight for his mum she believed in him. Where as the women tyson loved was leaving him sueing him he had fierd his trainer since he had begun (basically). They are two different types of mental issues.

An emotional distraction is the same. The difference is is how you use it. Tyson became disenchanted and more concerned with what was going on other than the matter at hand (the fight), Douglas used his as motivation to take himself to another level.

[The Iron Man]

I agree with that in a way.But its two totally different things, one can act as a motivator (death of a class freind/family) there are countless times were this has happend. But breaking up with someone you loved and them sueing you is very different

[Mike Tyson77]

Tyson has 5 championship belts on his wall, how many do you have?

[Hawkins]

I agree with that in a way.But its two totally different things, one can act as a motivator (death of a class freind/family) there are countless times were this has happend. But breaking up with someone you loved and them sueing you is very different

So you are saying, that in the grand scheme of things, getting a divorce is more emotionally taxing than the passing of your mother?

[Mike Tyson77]

So you are saying, that in the grand scheme of things, getting a divorce is more emotionally taxing than the passing of your mother?

Im sure both can be very draining and aweful. I personally have not experinced either.


Bottem line though, Tyson was the UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION. How many people can say that?

[The Iron Man]

So you are saying, that in the grand scheme of things, getting a divorce is more emotionally taxing than the passing of your mother?

Im saying they are totally different you can use the death of you mother as a reason to win the fight, especially that douglas cliamed his mother believed in him and that he could win. But Tyson had a divorce with someone he loved being sued, has no rooney jacobs or cus to talk to, there is no inspiration in that to win the fight. After the fight he cant say i fought for my ex-wife who is now trying to distroy my life. And also for my life which is breaking down!.. i think "i did it for you mum" is much more relavent.

[Hawkins]

Im saying they are totally different you can use the death of you mother as a reason to win the fight, especially that douglas cliamed his mother believed in him and that he could win. But Tyson had a divorce with someone he loved being sued, has no rooney jacobs or cus to talk to, there is no inspiration in that to win the fight. After the fight he cant say i fought for my ex-wife who is now trying to distroy my life. And also for my life which is breaking down!.. i think "i did it for you mum" is much more relavent.

The overall point being, you can't use that as an excuse for Tyson because Douglas had just as big of a distraction in his mind. The only difference is Douglas overcame it, Tyson did not.

[ROSS CALIFORNIA]

The overall point being, you can't use that as an excuse for Tyson because Douglas had just as big of a distraction in his mind. The only difference is Douglas overcame it, Tyson did not.

I think we're looking at it all wrong here. Some of Tysons problems may have stemmed from his divorce, but at the time of the Douglas fight it was his overall life style that put him in the position to be beat. Tyson was just doing what he wanted at this point. He should have known he was on the path to self destruction but it looks like his false sense of security blinded him to what was inevitable. Without someone there to push him and guide him the way he needed, he deteriorated into what you seen in Tokyo. Had he not knocked Williams out so fast, this deterioration might have been evidenced in that fight, because it's not something that just happens over night. I have always thought he didn't look 100% in the first Bruno fight, which was his first fight without Rooney. I think Tysons problems were a hole different story than Douglas' problem or distraction. I think it's safe to assume Douglas' religious beliefs were in line with most Americans in that he thought his mom was watching him from heaven. His mom knew he was training to fight Tyson and I'm sure she wished him luck and told him he could do it. (Please bare with me I know this all sounds corny. lol) In life, for most people, there can be nothing more motivating than accomplishing something for your mother that just died, knowing she's watching. Not everyone would have, but this helped Douglas rise to the occasion and focus on what he had to do to win. It's too bad for Douglas that Tysons situation aided him in winning the fight. Tysons situation was totally different, he was expected to win the fight easy. There's no reason to rise to the occasion when your living with a false sense of security. Larry Merchent used to say "the only one who can beat Mike Tyson is Mike Tyson", and on that night, Mike tyson beat him self.