Mike Tyson had so much potential

[TheBoxingXpert]

Before he went to jail for 3 years, Tyson was an absolute monster. He was so obviously not the same fighter once he got out, yet he still managed to be effective, being able to beat maybe everyone of his time except Holyfield and Lewis. Before he went to jail, I regarded him as an A boxer (not A+) and when he got out of jail, an A- boxer, and, following his 1+ year layoff after beating Cletienne, a shot journeyman. If Tyson didn't go to jail and had stayed away from drugs and didn't have all those sad and horrible life experiences, I think he would have been one of the greatest ever, but what do you think?

[b d w]

Agreed. Interestingly I've seen interviews with both Steve Lott and Kevin Rooney where they swear black and blue that based on what Mike was doing in sparring that he was still only ever at about 50% of his potential. A scary thought. However when assessing a fighter's greatness you have to add in their mental game and Mike had major deficiencies in that area.

[Larry the boss]

His downfall came way before he went to jail, Cus dies and then King had him fire his entire team. He stopped doing everything that made him special and starting looking for one punch instead of going side to side and working his combo's..By the time he got out of prison he was done already..Only time he won was when he fought c class fighters or fixed fights(Seldon,Black Rhino)

[MisterPullman]

His downfall came way before he went to jail, Cus dies and then King had him fire his entire team. He stopped doing everything that made him special and starting looking for one punch instead of going side to side and working his combo's..By the time he got out of prison he was done already..Only time he won was when he fought c class fighters or fixed fights(Seldon,Black Rhino)

Yeah, Cus was everything to him. Mike says even to this day Cus is his father

[Larry the boss]

Yeah, Cus was everything to him. Mike says even to this day Cus is his father

After he died and lost the rest of cus's camp..it was over, his entire style changed,0 head movement and less combo's

[lopetego]

Worst thing is he got falsely convicted because of a gold digging whore who had
made several false **** allegations in the past.

[TheBoxingXpert]

Worst thing is he got falsely convicted because of a gold digging whore who had
made several false **** allegations in the past.

Yeah, that sad event took a lot out of Tyson's career.

[Redd Foxx]

After he died and lost the rest of cus's camp..it was over, his entire style changed,0 head movement and less combo's

This has always been my sentiment and, in speaking of potential, people forget that Tyson was very short for the division. For all his potential, he had a big obstacle in his way as well. The fact that he did as well as his did is pretty impressive, how much more can we expect?

[Weltschmerz]

This has always been my sentiment and, in speaking of potential, people forget that Tyson was very short for the division. For all his potential, he had a big obstacle in his way as well. The fact that he did as well as his did is pretty impressive, how much more can we expect?

Tyson had problems with big, skilled men. Probably would have had in mid 80s too and he faded over 12 rounds with his workrate and endurance.

[sparkz2112]

Honestly, I don't rank Tyson that high based on what he accomplished. However, I have always said that he had the greatest potential out of any fighter that I have ever seen. Rooney once said that he could've easily been 100-0, and I believe it.