Thread: I Changed My Mind About Tysons Power After Watching Some Of His Fights Again

Man i can't believe i forgot how much power this man had i hadn't watched his fights for ages and now watching them again wow is all i can say i rate him alot higher in power department the power he knocked my boy Holmes down with was devasting and also the i would say top 3 of all time easy just watch this shot.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jK7AVHft4U

Yeah, that was a superb knockout blow.

I never get bored of watching the pre jail Tyson. He was a wrecking machine. Even as he was losing his skills post Douglas he still had that power. The Ruddock fights were quality entertainment.

Given the way his career ended, the mess his personal life became, and the general sense that he never reached his potential and/or went downhill too soon, Tyson is currently underrated.

If nothing else, his punching power should not be doubted. With his bob-and-weave style, defensive ability, and tremendous (for a heavyweight) hand speed, he was a much more complete fighter in his prime than some other great pure punchers: Foreman, Shavers, and Liston. Mike though, was mentally weak (despite a great intelligence--no dumb people read Mao for fun), and never possessed the determination to win once the going got tough. In this sense, he had the mentality of a classic bully: if he didn't get you right away, you had a real chance to get him.

Specifically, he never learned to fight backwards, and thus was unable to adapt as he aged (like Ali). Despite great boxing knowledge, he never won on guile or strategy, relying almost exclusively on power and intimidation. Holyfield and Foreman, though not as intelligent as Mike, were much more determined and mentally tough. Men of Faith, they really fooled themselves into believing they were destined to win. Tyson, remarkably self-aware, reflective, and mentally tortured, was in a way too sophisticated to be a true warrior. War is not the time for nuanced men of self-doubt.

But Foreman, IMO, was the hardest hitter in boxing history. His destruction of Frazier--5 knockdowns and the last resulting in Frazier being lifted off the canvas by Foreman's sheer punching power--is arguably the greatest knockout in history. Frazier was the champ, had defeated the greatest heavyweight ever, was undefeated himself and on his way to becoming a legend. Never before or since has a fighter so great been destroyed so thoroughly.

My favourite youtube boxing vid has some good Tyson ko's. After Louis and Marciano

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiI2rBggtpc

Excellent writing Manju, the only thing I would say is that Tyson could not really change his style of fight like the boxers you named. In my opinion he had the best boxing skills of all the great "sluggers" (Dempsey, Marciano, maybe Louis, Frazier and Foreman) and in my opinion beaten them. Great boxers like Ali, Lewis and Holyfield could have beaten him but this is up to debate (and boy it has been debated).

I do believe that Tyson was mentally tough and would have given the greats a good fight in his prime and not wilted as he did later in his career when he lost his discipline and desire for the game.

I agree Foreman is the hardest punching heavyweight champion but Shavers the hardest punching heavyweight, which is probably the reason why he never became a champion because he relied on his power too much.

No HW threw or throws their weight into their punches like Tyson imo.

Originally Posted by Manju

Given the way his career ended, the mess his personal life became, and the general sense that he never reached his potential and/or went downhill too soon, Tyson is currently underrated.

If nothing else, his punching power should not be doubted. With his bob-and-weave style, defensive ability, and tremendous (for a heavyweight) hand speed, he was a much more complete fighter in his prime than some other great pure punchers: Foreman, Shavers, and Liston. Mike though, was mentally weak (despite a great intelligence--no dumb people read Mao for fun), and never possessed the determination to win once the going got tough. In this sense, he had the mentality of a classic bully: if he didn't get you right away, you had a real chance to get him.

Specifically, he never learned to fight backwards, and thus was unable to adapt as he aged (like Ali). Despite great boxing knowledge, he never won on guile or strategy, relying almost exclusively on power and intimidation. Holyfield and Foreman, though not as intelligent as Mike, were much more determined and mentally tough. Men of Faith, they really fooled themselves into believing they were destined to win. Tyson, remarkably self-aware, reflective, and mentally tortured, was in a way too sophisticated to be a true warrior. War is not the time for nuanced men of self-doubt.

But Foreman, IMO, was the hardest hitter in boxing history. His destruction of Frazier--5 knockdowns and the last resulting in Frazier being lifted off the canvas by Foreman's sheer punching power--is arguably the greatest knockout in history. Frazier was the champ, had defeated the greatest heavyweight ever, was undefeated himself and on his way to becoming a legend. Never before or since has a fighter so great been destroyed so thoroughly.

great posting and welcome to the board. Call me crazy though but I always felt Joe Frazier was over theatrical in his knockdowns by Foreman. When he got lifted off the canvas I felt it was Joe doing some amatuer dramatics. He got a beatdown no doubt but I think he exaggerated it a bit as he was looking for a way out.............

Originally Posted by Manju

Given the way his career ended, the mess his personal life became, and the general sense that he never reached his potential and/or went downhill too soon, Tyson is currently underrated.

If nothing else, his punching power should not be doubted. With his bob-and-weave style, defensive ability, and tremendous (for a heavyweight) hand speed, he was a much more complete fighter in his prime than some other great pure punchers: Foreman, Shavers, and Liston. Mike though, was mentally weak (despite a great intelligence--no dumb people read Mao for fun), and never possessed the determination to win once the going got tough. In this sense, he had the mentality of a classic bully: if he didn't get you right away, you had a real chance to get him.

Specifically, he never learned to fight backwards, and thus was unable to adapt as he aged (like Ali). Despite great boxing knowledge, he never won on guile or strategy, relying almost exclusively on power and intimidation. Holyfield and Foreman, though not as intelligent as Mike, were much more determined and mentally tough. Men of Faith, they really fooled themselves into believing they were destined to win. Tyson, remarkably self-aware, reflective, and mentally tortured, was in a way too sophisticated to be a true warrior. War is not the time for nuanced men of self-doubt.

But Foreman, IMO, was the hardest hitter in boxing history. His destruction of Frazier--5 knockdowns and the last resulting in Frazier being lifted off the canvas by Foreman's sheer punching power--is arguably the greatest knockout in history. Frazier was the champ, had defeated the greatest heavyweight ever, was undefeated himself and on his way to becoming a legend. Never before or since has a fighter so great been destroyed so thoroughly.

That's some very eloquent writing, and welcome to the forum, a CC from me for such a well written piece. However I would argue that your assumptions about Tyson's intelligence, self awareness and ability to reflect upon himself as you allude to ("Tyson, remarkably self-aware, reflective") may be somewhat misguided. My view is that someone that aware and reflective would not have ended up in the situation Mike has. Also you state "Specifically, he never learned to fight backwards, and thus was unable to adapt as he aged (like Ali)". I think you miss the point on both guys here. Ali had other health issues later in his career as a boxer and Mike did too, his psychological issues and the time he'd done. With regard to "no dumb people read Mao for fun", most people in prison read this kind of stuff. Lots of dumb people read lots of stuff and interpret it incorrectly. Just reading something doesn't make one intelligent, 5 yr olds can read. But finally Tyson's power can't be denied. His ability as a boxer early on can't be denied. The amalgamation of his private life with his sporting life has been a shame and has tainted IMO the career of one of the great boxers of our time.

Tyson's post-jail career caused many of us to forget how devastating he was. Foreman may have hit harder but no one could use their power as effectively as Tyson could. Tyson's career as the most feared man in the world was over when he stopped moving his head but for the golden years when he did bob and weave he was unbelievable. I never bought into Tyson being frail minded and a weak character. He was articulate, no doubt, but he never seemed to have full control of himself. I also think that Tyson's 'get them quick or be beaten' style didn't come from him being a bully. When you knock as many guys out as Tyson did you belive thats the best way for you to win. Tyson proved in some of his early bouts that If he didn't get you early he could box for the decision whilst still probing the opponent in case the K.O opportunity arose.

I still believe Shavers is the hardest hitter in Heavweight history. I think Foreman's power was overrated, i'm not saying he couldn't hit but at times he floored guys with sheer, constant pressin forward and pressure. Then he wouldland the big blow. But Shavers could k.o anyone clean out at anytime in a fight no matter what.Tyson and Foreman could bang like hell but for mr Shavers is head and shoulders above the rest. Yet out of the 3, Tyson was the better fighter, IMO, even though Foreman is undeniably more succsesfull and greater. There's a big difference between the best and the greatest

Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

Man i can't believe i forgot how much power this man had i hadn't watched his fights for ages and now watching them again wow is all i can say i rate him alot higher in power department the power he knocked my boy Holmes down with was devasting and also the i would say top 3 of all time easy just watch this shot.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jK7AVHft4U

what made you change you mind?.

Originally Posted by gemini

Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

Man i can't believe i forgot how much power this man had i hadn't watched his fights for ages and now watching them again wow is all i can say i rate him alot higher in power department the power he knocked my boy Holmes down with was devasting and also the i would say top 3 of all time easy just watch this shot.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jK7AVHft4U

what made you change you mind?.

Because i always remembered Tyson being good puncher with great technique but i underrated his power because i hadn't watched his fights for ages except the Tillis fight so watching some Tyson fights again reminded me what a powerhouse he was.

thre reason why people question tysons power is because a lot of tysons opponents in the eighties said that he didnt hit that hard.

Originally Posted by gemini

thre reason why people question tysons power is because a lot of tysons opponents in the eighties said that he didnt hit that hard.

Most of those guys had to have somebody wake them up to tell them the fight was over.

I Changed My Mind About Tysons Power After Watching Some Of His Fights Again

May I ask? What gave you the impression he wasn't a dangerous puncher? Admittedly if you watched the McBride and Danny Williams fights only you might wonder. But I have watched him since the begining and that thought never crossed my mind. He did KO his first 19 opponents(16 of which in the first 3 rounds).

Originally Posted by ghoster

I Changed My Mind About Tysons Power After Watching Some Of His Fights Again

May I ask? What gave you the impression he wasn't a dangerous puncher? Admittedly if you watched the McBride and Danny Williams fights only you might wonder. But I have watched him since the begining and that thought never crossed my mind. He did KO his first 19 opponents(16 of which in the first 3 rounds).

Where did i say i thought he wasn't a dangerous puncher ?? i had watched all his fights well most of them but i hadn't watched them since i was young and my memory went a bit cloudy but refreshing my memory again i now think he is top 3 p4p for punching power the fight that got me into boxing was Holyfield and Tyson i remember watching that wow.