Mike Tyson claims he would’ve beaten Usyk and AJ in his prime

[BangEM]

You know what irks me instead?

That Tyson went to jail just before meeting Holyfield in 1991.

Tyson was scary under Richie Giachetti. He annihilated Alex Stewart in two minutes. The same Alex Stewart who had given Holyfield hell just months before.

Mike would have probably knocked out Evander then, and all the tedious "Holy vs Mike" debating seen on threads for decades would have never existed.

Styles make fight.

AJ sparks Glowacki and even Briedis in 2rds. But both went the distance against Usyk.

Going to jail doesn't change anything. I don't even rate Fury (I think he's a fraud who has played the right cards and people around him understand matchmaking since he's from a fighting family unlike AJ who takes idiotic risks due to Teflon Hearn and lacks basic knowledge of how to manipulate things in boxing) but he went on a coke/alcohol binge for 3 yrs and came back swinging. The jail excuse is tired now. The man was in his mid-20s when he got out of jail.

[BangEM]

Tyson was the first to admit he was not invincible. Not his fault if casuals depicted him like Superman.

At the end of the day, one can only attempt to be the best in his time. That's why I hate the comparisons between fighters from different decades.

So why was he talking about "bad night" in one of the greatest display of boxing skills in HW boxing history whilst talking about his prime?

He's also caught up in the hype - he needs to stay humble and stop inserting himself into everything.

The man is an insecure old fella.

[Tatabanya]

Styles make fight.

AJ sparks Glowacki and even Briedis in 2rds. But both went the distance against Usyk.

Going to jail doesn't change anything. I don't even rate Fury (I think he's a fraud who has played the right cards and people around him understand matchmaking since he's from a fighting family unlike AJ who takes idiotic risks due to Teflon Hearn and lacks basic knowledge of how to manipulate things in boxing) but he went on a binge/alcohol binge for 3 yrs and came back swinging. The jail excuse is tired now. The man was in his mid-20s when he got out of jail.

Actually Tyson was almost 30 when he regained the WBC title vs Bruno, but that's not my point. I just meant to say that I would have loved watching Tyson vs Holyfield before and not after the jail stint.

I'd also have loved to see what Holyfield, Lewis or even Joshua would manage to do after three years in the slammer.

[Tatabanya]

So why was he talking about "bad night" in one of the greatest display of boxing skills in HW boxing history whilst talking about his prime?

He's also caught up in the hype - he needs to stay humble and stop inserting himself into everything.

The man is an insecure old fella.

It's strange indeed. Usually Tyson speaks of current fighters in admiration. I couldn't say what he smoked last Saturday

[BangEM]

Actually Tyson was almost 30 when he regained the WBC title vs Bruno, but that's not my point. I just meant to say that I would have loved watching Tyson vs Holyfield before and not after the jail stint.

I'd also have loved to see what Holyfield, Lewis or even Joshua would manage to do after three years in the slammer.

30 is pretty young for a HW - no excuses.

The slammer makes people tougher - only the weak get broken in the slammer. The tough would always survive and build character in there.

[Tatabanya]

30 is pretty young for a HW - no excuses.

The slammer makes people tougher - only the weak get broken in the slammer. The tough would always survive and build character in there.

Good points, both.

But - physically speaking - a HW body is a machine that should not be subjected to that kind of long stop.

[Clegg]

Literally the only advantage AJ has over Tyson is size. Footwork, hand speed, jab, hooks, body work, head movement, offensive arsenal, timing, skill, chin, killer instinct, every category is Tyson>AJ. I think AJ would be scared of Tyson like Bruno, Seldon, Spinks were and go out in a similar way. Prime Tyson wasn't unbeatable but you needed to be mentally strong to beat him.

Usyk has been very impressive but harder to judge. We've seen Tyson and AJ suffer defeats and their flaws are easier to see because of that. He has a good shot vs Tyson though especially once he gets out of the early rounds.

[BangEM]

It's strange indeed. Usually Tyson speaks of current fighters in admiration. I couldn't say what he smoked last Saturday

No, recently, he has doing that lately after every big HW fight.

[buddyr]

Literally the only advantage AJ has over Tyson is size. Footwork, hand speed, jab, hooks, body work, head movement, offensive arsenal, timing, skill, chin, killer instinct, every category is Tyson>AJ. I think AJ would be scared of Tyson like Bruno, Seldon, Spinks were and go out in a similar way. Prime Tyson wasn't unbeatable but you needed to be mentally strong to beat him.

Usyk has been very impressive but harder to judge. We've seen Tyson and AJ suffer defeats and their flaws are easier to see because of that. He has a good shot vs Tyson though especially once he gets out of the early rounds.

Tyson in his youth either struggled or lost to those that used the jab'n'grab technique. Usyk doesn't use this and Tyson's body work would slow down his movement. AJ had success when he went to the body and then stopped. As roy pointed out, when AJ feinted, Usyk had to change his plan and didn't use his own feints as much. Tyson would be be in his peekaboo style dipping and moving in at angles while jabbing. We're talking Cus/rooney tyson here, not Jay Bright/King tyson. And even that guy, the one who fought Ruddock, beats Usyk/Wilder/Joshua/Fury. His last fight before prison was a 12 round decision.

[buddyr]

30 is pretty young for a HW - no excuses.

The slammer makes people tougher - only the weak get broken in the slammer. The tough would always survive and build character in there.

it depends on a lot of factors. Ali was only 29 against Fraizer the first time, but nowhere near the fighter he was just a few years prior due to the inactivity. There are factors that decide a lot of things and not just age. Hagler by 32 had twice as many fights as Crawford does now at 33.