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Evander Holyfield did not fight prime Mike Tyson. A lot of boxing fans as well as writers always say as soon as someone stood up to Tyson look what happen. That's a bunch of BS. How many fighters lay off close to 4 years and their skills are the same? Ali. Nope...Ray Leonard Nope. Ray just didn't take on young fighters who would have exposed that long layoff and the conditioning issue Ray had in the Hagler fight. A younger fighter and now Ray can't pace himself because they would have jumped all over him. His speed is exactly the same in the Terry Norris fight and look what happen. Can't pace himself against a young fighter who can fight every second of the round. You can't layoff multiple years in boxing.
Even before the Evander fight you could see Tyson was not the same. To me he looked slow in Bruce Selson and Frank Bruno fights in 1996. A lot of ppl always talk about his power, but what made Mike so special was his speed. 1986-1988 Tyson had speed like a 160 pounder with the ability to punch in combination, counterpunch with speed, and his defensive reflexes were at the top of it's game because he was hungry and training on a regular basis.
Another thing is stamina was not a issue for 1986-1988 Tyson. He could actually fight at a fast pace and sustain in for 10 to 12 rounds unlike POST PRISON. No fighter can lay off 4 years and be the same.
Had Evander fought 80s Tyson this would be the difference. Mike would be harder to hit...Mike would have the ability to counterpunch off Evanders mistakes because Tyson was SHARP....Mike could punch in combination with speed....Mike did not tire as fast.....Back then you couldnt say well let Mike wear himself out after 4 rounds then go to work on him....Thats the Tyson after prison
Even before the Evander fight you could see Tyson was not the same. To me he looked slow in Bruce Selson and Frank Bruno fights in 1996. A lot of ppl always talk about his power, but what made Mike so special was his speed. 1986-1988 Tyson had speed like a 160 pounder with the ability to punch in combination, counterpunch with speed, and his defensive reflexes were at the top of it's game because he was hungry and training on a regular basis.
Another thing is stamina was not a issue for 1986-1988 Tyson. He could actually fight at a fast pace and sustain in for 10 to 12 rounds unlike POST PRISON. No fighter can lay off 4 years and be the same.
Had Evander fought 80s Tyson this would be the difference. Mike would be harder to hit...Mike would have the ability to counterpunch off Evanders mistakes because Tyson was SHARP....Mike could punch in combination with speed....Mike did not tire as fast.....Back then you couldnt say well let Mike wear himself out after 4 rounds then go to work on him....Thats the Tyson after prison
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