Was Mike Tyson a prodigy?

[Squabbles94806]

I really have no definitive answer for that, so i'll leave it up for discussion. I'd like to say no, he really wasn't a boxing prodigy because of his backgroud. However, his natural size, strength and speed might have been his natural gifts. But do physical attributes alone define a person to be a prodigy? Then again, he has mental/emotional distress and issues, which might be a side effect from his physical presence.

I'd like to believe that Mike Tyson was merely a product of his environment. Tyson grew up hard, because the "slums" are unforgiving. Boxing became an outlet for Mike Tyson to re-direct his rage and aggression. Only his days with Cus D'mato did he try to hone his craft or his art. Once his original team started dying off or being replaced, the passion for his art wasn't the same. But i'm no expert. I think being a prodigy emphasizes more on using the mind and the brain, rather than using muscles or brawns.

I think ALI, Sugar Ray Leonard, maybe Mayweather can be considered boxing prodigies.

[Verstyle]

Did you see the way he hit and the size of him and his movement and amateur achievements at such a young age? That should answer it.

[Bright-Eyes]

This is pretty much the definition of a prodigy -

An unusually gifted or intelligent (young) person; someone whose talents excite wonder and admiration

In that case I think Tyson is a great example of a boxing prodigy,especially considering his success at such a young age.

[Dynamite Kid]

All you need to ask yourself is, can i name any other 5ft 10 Heavyweights that could KO his opponents in brutal fashion (speed/power) one after another in less than 3 rounds?



Tyson was a phenom because of his physical gifts. Tyson had a blend of speed and brutal power that you see from a small group of fighters throughout history. There are big punchers, then there are guys like Tyson, Hamed, Jackson who can render you unconscious in one punch. These kinda punchers come along once in a blue moon.

Not saying Jackson, Hamed were phenoms, they did not have the physical disadvantages of fighting at HW and being so small, not to mention that amazing foot/hand speed to go with it.

[AKATheMack]

Not only was Tyson a beast physically, he understood the game. Most definitely a prodigy.

[DrewWoodside]

Not only was Tyson a beast physically, he understood the game. Most definitely a prodigy.

It really isn't a question, he's the definition of a prodigy. A young boy pummeling men twice his size and age. So physically gifted he constantly had to produce proof of age.