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I was just watching a highlight reel of Tyson and it occurs to me how little respect both this trainers get in relation to what they achieved with Tyson.
Sure Tyson was a 1 in a billion fighter but no other trainers nor mentors could have produced the same fighter with the man they were given and I truly believe that. Any other combination of fighters and Tyson would probably have ended a journeyman at best.
With D'amato & Rooney the stars were alligned so to speak and everything came together perfectly. Tyson was the man ready to learn with the physical skill. D'amato was the father figure who gave him guidance, strength, love and a stable home. Rooney was the trainer / co trainer who drove him to live, sleep and eat boxing while preparting training and a fighting style that was wholly unique and specific for Mike.
Together all three lived boxing and created the perfect regime for Tyson. You only need to look at what happened when he sacked Rooney and Cus died for proof.
When you remember prime Tyson I think it's also prudent to think of prime Tyson as more a collective of these three great men than a great fighter because without them I don't think he would have ever gotten toachieve what he did.
Sure Tyson was a 1 in a billion fighter but no other trainers nor mentors could have produced the same fighter with the man they were given and I truly believe that. Any other combination of fighters and Tyson would probably have ended a journeyman at best.
With D'amato & Rooney the stars were alligned so to speak and everything came together perfectly. Tyson was the man ready to learn with the physical skill. D'amato was the father figure who gave him guidance, strength, love and a stable home. Rooney was the trainer / co trainer who drove him to live, sleep and eat boxing while preparting training and a fighting style that was wholly unique and specific for Mike.
Together all three lived boxing and created the perfect regime for Tyson. You only need to look at what happened when he sacked Rooney and Cus died for proof.
When you remember prime Tyson I think it's also prudent to think of prime Tyson as more a collective of these three great men than a great fighter because without them I don't think he would have ever gotten toachieve what he did.
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