Boxing Myths (Fact-Based)

[ferocity]

I should re-upload some of the myths and facts that Bert Sugar mention on fnf.

[Benny Leonard]

Another one I always hear is "Mike Tyson had such a mean pre-fight staredown that he used so well to intimidate".

He did that **** like one or two times his whole career. Most notably, the Peter McNeeley fight. The great majority of the time, he looked to the side, when the referee gave instructions to the two fighters. It was certainly a rare exception when he looked at his opponent's eyes and tried to intimidate him through a stare.

Yup...he didn't do it a lot at all. He was actually very relaxed. Tyson said a while back that back then he was so confident that he didn't have to talk and that he would just think to himself...yeah, keep talking; you know what is going to happen to you.

That's the difference when you are trained and confident compared to being under-trained/unprepared and have to make up for it.


Never counted how many times Mike actually used the fearsome look, but this was one of them. I think it had to do with his opponent trying to do it first.

[Benny Leonard]

Thats not ture with all fighters.

That fight still surprises me how dominate he handled Frazier.

Maybe not with all, but one example is all I need to break the formula. If we were to say "The majority of times,"....then OK; I may agree. But, people act like it is an every time thing.

I used this as an example for good reason. I read when Frazier was young he used to walk home kids that were bullied. Foreman, he was kid that bullied the neighborhood.

When Foreman met Frazier, he was actually the one scared and not Frazier.

[ferocity]

That video shows why Tyson was feared and his opponet were already shaken not bases on his stare but they way he would fight and take out his opponet.

[Benny Leonard]

That video shows why Tyson was feared and his opponet were already shaken not bases on his stare but they way he would fight and take out his opponet.

I said this as well before. People feared Tyson's ability and they knew with that ability came his intention.





Side note: Tyson's ability/confidence was based on how prepared he was and seemingly, who he was hanging around.

[Sweet Pea 50]

Did Ray Leonard duck Aaron Pryor? Somebody set me straight on this. I hear conflicting stuff from people. Thanks in advance.

[ferocity]

I said this as well before. People feared Tyson's ability and they knew with that ability came his intention.





Side note: Tyson's ability/confidence was based on how prepared he was and seemingly, who he was hanging around.

If Tyson had not gone with King and stayed/listened to Rooney you think Tyson would have dominated till old age/past his prime? Or who you think would have possably beat him?

[Benny Leonard]

If Tyson had not gone with King and stayed/listened to Rooney you think Tyson would have dominated till old age/past his prime? Or who you think would have possably beat him?

I once heard that the Catskill team plan was for Tyson to retire by 28/29 with him going 50-0. Of course, I don't think they planed for Jacobs to die. D'Amato, yes, I heard they prepared for this...but Jacobs, not so sure.

Personally, if we go by this and what I think, and were saying Tyson was able to keep himself together mentally while sticking with the original team...29, maybe 30 years of age seems reasonable to be his last best year before he slid based on history of other fighters like him. Fighters like Tyson have to work harder to make up for certain size disadvantages. The way Tyson used to bob-and-weave, his elusiveness....eventually, his back would have broken down on him. Tyson wasn't as effective when he stood straight up. He could always take a beating, but it isn't something a fighter wants to do.

I think Tyson needed to be at his best to win in dominant fashion, but he could still have won if he was just past his prime. The further past it, forget it.

Atlas made a point that he was insecure as a kid. So insecure that it made him a perfectionist, which is why he trained so damn hard. I do think with time, and under Rooney, he did become a lot more confident and you can see that as he grew into a Champion at Pro. People forget that Tyson didn't have many fights at amateur and that is where a fighter can really work out the kinks and gain confidence...so it took Tyson some time to mature.



Fighters like Lewis have a much better chance to be on top in their 30's than someone like Tyson.

[Thread Stealer]

Did Ray Leonard duck Aaron Pryor? Somebody set me straight on this. I hear conflicting stuff from people. Thanks in advance.

Pryor asked Leonard for a fight and Leonard didn't fight him. But Pryor wasn't even in the same weight class anyway. Leonard could've fought Pryor, but had no obligation to. If Pryor had made some noise at welterweight, then the "duck" claim would have more substance.

Most of this claim comes from people who watch too much Legendary Nights.

[Thread Stealer]

Maybe not with all, but one example is all I need to break the formula. If we were to say "The majority of times,"....then OK; I may agree. But, people act like it is an every time thing.

I used this as an example for good reason. I read when Frazier was young he used to walk home kids that were bullied. Foreman, he was kid that bullied the neighborhood.

When Foreman met Frazier, he was actually the one scared and not Frazier.

Yeah, Foreman said his legs were shaking during the staredown and he hoped Frazier wouldn't look down.

Although I do tend to take what Foreman says with a grain of salt.