Thread: How did Tyson even survive...

Let alone dominate the heavyweight division? I mean, if you look at him size wise on paper, he should've gotten murdered. 5'11", 71" reach isn't exactly optimal heavyweight measurables, and while it's a known fact that he was quick and had good punching power, you'd think he would've just been peppered with jabs and never got inside of anyone.

Does anyone have a solid explaination for this? Because it really leaves me scratching my head.

Iron Mike has incredible POWER to WEIGHT ratio, speed, and his overall boxing skills is one of the best IMO.

Just watch him fight..... He was incredibly stocky and thick, yet had extremely good reflexes, body control, head movement and hand speed. His height and reach were only a disadvantage when he was sitting on the outside, which in his prime was not often. He relied on steadily moving forward, weaving and using his own jab to close the distance, and once he got inside his build was completely to his advantage.

Originally Posted by p4pking

Just watch him fight..... He was incredibly stocky and thick, yet had extremely good reflexes, body control, head movement and hand speed. His height and reach were only a disadvantage when he was sitting on the outside, which in his prime was not often. He relied on steadily moving forward, weaving and using his own jab to close the distance, and once he got inside his build was completely to his advantage.

he was really fast and had extremely good head movement.

Wrong Topic nvm.

Because in his prime he never doubted himself. Boxing IS aound 90% mental and if you break a man mentally, physically he will break down too. He imposed his will on his opponents and made them fold by his ruthlessness. Dempsey had a similar attitude in the ring. Whats sad is most heavyweights today only fight as good as the guy in front him and do just enough to get by but dont have the Tyson mentality.

If you ever watch his early days the answer is right on the screen.

His neck was so thick he absorbed punches well, he was fast and had great head movement, his combination punching was superb and the guy could hit like a tank.

He had a longer reach then Marciano and was stockier so you might as well ask how did Rocky go undefeated?

The era of the super heavyweights did not begin until the late 90's

Primal instincts and top notch reflexes and speed.Also the influences of Cus,Teddy.That era of Heavys was clutter waiting for a bad ass with a broom.His stubby legs were like coiled steel,springing under most guys early on and leaving them detached from there senses.

Originally Posted by lance Uppercut

The era of the super heavyweights did not begin until the late 90's

That is correct , and Tyson's oposition was poor , ageing former champs / light heavies( Spinks ) and poor fighters like Tyrell Biggs.

Originally Posted by lance Uppercut

The era of the super heavyweights did not begin until the late 90's

Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe were both pretty big.

To me the 'super' era really started there (e.g. the early 90'es), although subsequent boxers were even bigger. Of course Tyson didnt fight either of them in his prime, and he did not really 'dominate' the divsion anymore when they came around either.

Also, it is worth noting that before 2000 Tyson only fought three fighters weighing in at 235 or more. And Sammy Scaff, Mike Jameson and Bruno II weren't exactly the biggest threats (pun intended) to him to begin with.

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Let alone dominate the heavyweight division? I mean, if you look at him size wise on paper, he should've gotten murdered. 5'11", 71" reach isn't exactly optimal heavyweight measurables, and while it's a known fact that he was quick and had good punching power, you'd think he would've just been peppered with jabs and never got inside of anyone.

Does anyone have a solid explaination for this? Because it really leaves me scratching my head.

Well being shorter he could get underneath the punches and come up and land those devastating hooks, his head movement was excellent i mean just watch one of his early fights when he makes this one guy miss about 8 punches in a row then he counters and KO's the other guy. Tyson also had very quick hands so he could rattle off quick combo's and then get back to his bob and weave defense. Also just look at his body shape he is stocky and naturally very big man, when he was about 15 he was close to 200 pounds, plus it was his perfect punching technique along with his amazing speed that contributed to his power. And it also has to be said that the division at that time was one of the weakest in history.

Originally Posted by aburwell89

Let alone dominate the heavyweight division? I mean, if you look at him size wise on paper, he should've gotten murdered. 5'11", 71" reach isn't exactly optimal heavyweight measurables, and while it's a known fact that he was quick and had good punching power, you'd think he would've just been peppered with jabs and never got inside of anyone.

Does anyone have a solid explaination for this? Because it really leaves me scratching my head.

He had an ability to close that was unreal,when his leg speed went,so did he

I remember an article around here a while back Tyson where somebody claimed that Tyson wanted no part of Foreman, even the old version of Foreman. That fight probably could have been made if Tyson wanted it. According to the article, Tyson understood that stylistically, Foreman was the worse possible matchup for swarmers. Look how easily he dispatched Frazier both times.

Originally Posted by RozzySean

I remember an article around here a while back Tyson where somebody claimed that Tyson wanted no part of Foreman, even the old version of Foreman. That fight probably could have been made if Tyson wanted it. According to the article, Tyson understood that stylistically, Foreman was the worse possible matchup for swarmers. Look how easily he dispatched Frazier both times.

True I couldn't believe what he did to Smokin Joe!