Comments Thread For: Mike Tyson Reacts To Wilder's Prediction of Beating Him

[Angeljuice]

It's hard for alot of fans who weren't around and cognizant during Tyson's prime to understand the above statement and the absolute terror Mike put into opponents. People make a big deal about Curtis Harper's antics with Efe Ajagba but Mike was essentially doing the same to every opponent at every skill level during his terror reign. Wilder may be one of the hardest hitters but he doesn't inspire the fear
of violence that Tyson put into every opponent during that stretch.

Yes, you are right.

With hindsight you see his flaws and failings and realise he is actually human.

[davef]

I dont care what anyone says if someone like fury and ortiz can take him past 6 rounds then so could iron Mike

And wilder in there with a young Tyson for 6 rounds I see his bird legs getting snapped in half

[joseph5620]

Only an Idiot thinks an ATG is going to take a fight with Wilder lightly, Wilder sImply wouldn’t defeat a motivated straight head Mike Tyson ,he simply doesn’t have the style to defeat Tyson ,maybe if Mike was 55 ?

I destroyed you on the last thread I guess we’ll continue on here ? Ha

LOL! You are really Fuc..ng ****** if you think Tyson can beat Wilder right now. Tyson is 53. It's pretty clear from your lack of intelligence that you can't destroy anybody in a debate.

[markther]

Agreed. The younger Tyson was always in the gym with Kevin Rooney had no championships and was focused. He wasn't smoking weed or getting high before fights. This version of Tyson who was training with Rooney regularly, was not aligned with Don King and spent a considerable amount of time polishing his style would have decapitated Wilder. Once Rooney left after the Spinks fight Tyson was still a tough dude in the ring but he would still beat any top heavyweight.
At any age up to 35 years old if he had Kevin Rooney training him he would have beaten Wilder. People have to remember that Wilder started fighting at 19 years old as a way to take care of his daughter. Tyson started fighting at 13 years old under D Mato and Teddy Atlas. Wilder's style of fighting reflects the way he fights today because he never developed his skills at an early age like Tyson. Wilder knows deep down that he could not beat the version of Tyson training with Kevin Rooney.

Like other people said Ali, Lewis, Bowe (Eddie Futch trained), both Klitscho's and Larry Holmes would have easily beat Wilder.

Good post, I always wonder how Tyson’s career would have really turned out with Kevin Rooney in his corner the entire time and possibly Teddy Atlas as a 2nd before their blow up because of his sister. Even Mike has admitted in several interviews his regrets for parting ways with Rooney and he should have steered clear of Don King.

[_Jordan_]

Hmm

Tyson is one of the best HW ever, confidence is a good quality tho, overconfidence is not.

[PBR Streetgang]

Yes, you are right.

With hindsight you see his flaws and failings and realise he is actually human.

Very true.
I will risk getting a little deep with this comment but here goes: In some situations, psychology plays a much larger role than physiology in the outcome and results. During Tyson's reign of terror (and I think that's an appropriate way to call it), he mentally defeated opponents before the bell even rang. He would walk to the ring in plain black shorts, black shoes with no socks and no boxing robe. It was all part of the psychological war he imposed. He waged it successfully against alot of very good fighters.

If Wilder was transported to 1987 and fought Tyson I just don't see him not succumbing to that same fear.

[-Kev-]

I actually do think most fighters (all athletes really) have a fairly short window in which they perform at their peak level. I think many fans would agree that Tyson, given that his style relied so much on his speed and reflexes, did truly have a prime that lasted about 3 years. Tyson's style was never going to allow him to compete well with other greats into his mid-30s. Lewis relied on size and a long jab, so, of course, he was built for greater longevity.

I disagree with that.

3 years is just way too convenient. That’s actually rare, for a great athlete to perform at the highest level for 3 years.

Mike Trout (baseball) has been performing at an ATG level for 9 years now.

Lebron James has been performing at the top level for his entire career.

Brett Favre, Tom Brady performed like all stars into their 40s.

Once Pacquiao entered his prime, he performed at the top level for 15 years. Mayweather too. Jones jr was prime for over a decade. Hopkins performed at the top level for 20 years.

3 year prime for a great boxer is non existent. That’s not even considered great. Longevity is a criteria for greatness.

[KidDinamita]

Tyson would fold him like a jumper. He had too much defense for the windmilling Wilder.

I think even the out of jail Tyson would win against him, but if Tyson doesn't KO him early it will be a much different outcome.

[-Kev-]

I dont care what anyone says if someone like fury and ortiz can take him past 6 rounds then so could iron Mike

And wilder in there with a young Tyson for 6 rounds I see his bird legs getting snapped in half

Fury is 6’9” and around 260lbs, with an 85” reach. He’s a big guy. Wilder is 6’7” 215lbs, with an 83” reach. Wilder dropped Fury, the bigger, taller man, twice, pretty hard. Luis Ortiz is 6’4”, 240lbs, with a 78” reach, also the bigger man, KO’ed twice by the smaller, chicken legged Wilder.

Tyson in his prime, let’s say “1985-1990”, was 5’10”, 215lbs, with a 71” reach. For reference, Douglas was 6’4” with an 83” reach, and weighed 260lbs.

Tyson barely had the reach of a welterweight-middleweight. Mayweather 73”, Crawford 74”, Spence 72”, GGG 70”, SRL 74”, Canelo 70 and a half.

Tyson fought in the wrong era. He just missed the era of boxing where HW’s were closer to his physical size/height. Lots of respect for Tyson for having the record he ended up with, and achieving what he did, despite his physical limitations. What he did is really HARD to do. And the best highlight videos of boxing imo, are still Roy Jones Jr and Mike Tyson. If you want to show someone how exciting boxing is, you show them highlights of RJ and Tyson. Those two will win over any skeptic that thinks boxing is boring.

But this era is even worse than the one he fought in, in terms of size/height. Top HW’s are even bigger and taller than what Tyson was struggling with in the 90s, and they’re more athletic than the big, tall tomato cans he was fighting.

[Angeljuice]

I disagree with that.

3 years is just way too convenient. That’s actually rare, for a great athlete to perform at the highest level for 3 years.

Mike Trout (baseball) has been performing at an ATG level for 9 years now.

Lebron James has been performing at the top level for his entire career.

Brett Favre, Tom Brady performed like all stars into their 40s.

Once Pacquiao entered his prime, he performed at the top level for 15 years. Mayweather too. Jones jr was prime for over a decade. Hopkins performed at the top level for 20 years.

3 year prime for a great boxer is non existent. That’s not even considered great. Longevity is a criteria for greatness.

Mark Felix is still competative as an international strongman at 53 and didn't start competing until he was 40.
A bit of an inspiration really.