Why was Mike Tyson so popular?

We never really ever knew why, huh?

We knew why Ali was popular- he was mouthy, political, Muslim and he stood for something. He also backed up his talks in the ring.

We knew why Joe Louis was popular- war veteran, string of undefeated title defences, defeated Nazi Germany via Schmeling, etc, etc...

But, there were a lot of guys that were champions before and after Tyson who we, quite frankly, could give a fuck about in the grand scheme of things- and we mean Lewis, the Klits, Holyfield, and Bowe.

So, what in the world made Tyson such a mega star and still revered and talked about to this day, despite all of what he has done and gone through?

Sex appeal and knock out power.

Mike Tyson is the most popular boxer of all time and will be for probably a very long time to come.

IT was his Spartan approach to the sport, unlike the prissy heroes of the sport before him, he entered the ring like a panther hungry with the smell of his next kill.

And the viciousness with which he launched himself in for the kill from the opening bell was something never before seen in boxing.

And the level of skill, speed, power and reflexes, accuracy, timing coupled with that aggression was also never before witnessed. Nearly impossible to hit clean, nearly impossible to evade, nearly impossible to withstand.

For a time, he was considered unlike any fighter before or after.. Invincible!

If it was not for watching Tyson when I was a lad, I probably would never have become interested in boxing at all. I was VERY impressed!

First, Muhammed Ali was hated by more people in his day than Broner.

As for Tyson, he was what people wanted in a heavyweight champion. He seemed like a caged animal that was only let loose on fight night. And he went in there to destroy. Then when he was allowed to be in the media he was a train wreck. Train wrecks are both horrifying and compelling. A wreck doesn't have to obstruct a road to cause a traffic jam because everyone wants to get a good look.

There will always be a bit of intrigue with Mike, how we can never know what might happen at the next moment.

KOs, Sir! He was young, seemed to live for boxing, didn't talk about much of anything except boxing. Did I mention KOs.
We knew he came from a single parent household, had gotten into some trouble, but seemed to being doing great with boxing as his main focus.
Had a close relationship with Cus, trained hard, spoke with hi pitched voice that didn't seem to fit in with what he did on the ring.
He kept KOing bigger, more experienced fighters with ease. He seemed to gain confidence with every KO. His life turned into a KO highlight reel.
That's why I liked him. I'm interested in what everyone else has to say.

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Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

First, Muhammed Ali was hated by more people in his day than Broner.

As for Tyson, he was what people wanted in a heavyweight champion. He seemed like a caged animal that was only let loose on fight night. And he went in there to destroy. Then when he was allowed to be in the media he was a train wreck. Train wrecks are both horrifying and compelling. A wreck doesn't have to obstruct a road to cause a traffic jam because everyone wants to get a good look.

There will always be a bit of intrigue with Mike, how we can never know what might happen at the next moment.

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That's not entirely true @Ron Swanson,

When Mike was champ first reign, for the most part, he was a beloved character by everyone outside of the ring. He was the epitome of the good guy.

And even AFTER he viciously assaulted his fellow boxer, he always went over to help them up to their feet and into their corner.

There had been FEW more gentlemanly men in the sport than Tyson UNTIL the Given's saga unfolded and he went off the rails.

And today, after boxing, Mike is once again a good guy.

Why have the threads you make not gotten any less stupid? That's a much better question.

He was a no nonsense, get in the ring and get the job done fighter. He did it with great efficiency until Cus went. He was also very respectful until then. I was impressed by his deep knowledge of the sports history and analysis. The leeches around him after Cus ressurected his old demons and brought him down. Never forget the awesome spectacle of a Tyson fight. Very few fighters have even come close to that. It was sad to see such a great fighter go down so quickly.

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Originally Posted by beenKOed

KOs, Sir! He was young, seemed to live for boxing, didn't talk about much of anything except boxing. Did I mention KOs.
We knew he came from a single parent household, had gotten into some trouble, but seemed to being doing great with boxing as his main focus.
Had a close relationship with Cus, trained hard, spoke with hi pitched voice that didn't seem to fit in with what he did on the ring.
He kept KOing bigger, more experienced fighters with ease. He seemed to gain confidence with every KO. His life turned into a KO highlight reel.
That's why I liked him. I'm interested in what everyone else has to say.

---

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Originally Posted by ykdadamaja

We never really ever knew why, huh?

We knew why Ali was popular- he was mouthy, political, Muslim and he stood for something. He also backed up his talks in the ring.

We knew why Joe Louis was popular- war veteran, string of undefeated title defences, defeated Nazi Germany via Schmeling, etc, etc...

But, there were a lot of guys that were champions before and after Tyson who we, quite frankly, could give a fuck about in the grand scheme of things- and we mean Lewis, the Klits, Holyfield, and Bowe.

So, what in the world made Tyson such a mega star and still revered and talked about to this day, despite all of what he has done and gone through?

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Do not confuse popularity and general fame.

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Originally Posted by ykdadamaja

We knew why Ali was popular- he was mouthy, political, Muslim and he stood for something. He also backed up his talks in the ring.

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in 70, Ali was like Mayweather now: 50% people loved him, 50% people hated him. But he was very famous.

Going back to your question...

Mike is like Jonny Tapia, HUGE talent, way beyoed Lennox, Klits, and Holyfeild, he brings drama and such.

Lennox, Klits, Holyfield are kinda predictable. With Mike you never know what to expect
Also, at a certain time, everybody hoped the 86-88 era MIke would come back and KICK ASS.

I would still go watch him fight for this feeling of "Maybe, this time he returns ..."

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Originally Posted by Max Power

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Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

First, Muhammed Ali was hated by more people in his day than Broner.

As for Tyson, he was what people wanted in a heavyweight champion. He seemed like a caged animal that was only let loose on fight night. And he went in there to destroy. Then when he was allowed to be in the media he was a train wreck. Train wrecks are both horrifying and compelling. A wreck doesn't have to obstruct a road to cause a traffic jam because everyone wants to get a good look.

There will always be a bit of intrigue with Mike, how we can never know what might happen at the next moment.

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That's not entirely true @Ron Swanson,

When Mike was champ first reign, for the most part, he was a beloved character by everyone outside of the ring. He was the epitome of the good guy.

And even AFTER he viciously assaulted his fellow boxer, he always went over to help them up to their feet and into their corner.

There had been FEW more gentlemanly men in the sport than Tyson UNTIL the Given's saga unfolded and he went off the rails.

And today, after boxing, Mike is once again a good guy.

---

That's 100% true, watch old documentaries. He was popular among young people, but hated by old generation.

It's simple, Tyson Entertained and was dynamite from the opening bell and 90% of the time you knew you were gonna see a KO.

Pair him up with Don King and you had pure Showbiz, he was a throw back fighter and went against the grain of the fighters who were around at that time (mainly boxer types).

I remember as a 10-11 year old first seeing/hearing of Tyson (i was already a boxing fan and aware of other fighters due to having a boxing fan of an older brother) and i was like WOW who the fuck is this guy bashing everyone up and speaking like a girl.

Basically Tyson stood out like a sore thumb and made EVERYONE in the world take notice.

For those members not old enough to remember a Prime Tyson he was HUGE, a Phenomenon and probably the most recognizable person on the Planet for a few years.

EVERYONE knew who Mike Tyson was.

Can't add any more than Smash said

Young, vicious and invincible (for a time) - someone who dominates and is apparently invincible brings the casual fan on board

Will never forget the shock I got got up early to check teletext in 1990 - 'Tyson Knockout Sensation'

Good times in boxing

This is a joke thread right?

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Originally Posted by Mark TKO

Can't add any more than Smash said

Young, vicious and invincible (for a time) - someone who dominates and is apparently invincible brings the casual fan on board

Will never forget the shock I got got up early to check telext in 1990 - 'Tyson Knockout Sensation'

Good times in boxing

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Teletext ;D;D;D;D

hahaha i remember my mum letting me stay awake till 3/4/5am to listen to Tyson v Bruno on the radio ;D

I'd put him up there with Michael Jackson in terms of fame for a good few years.

He was everywhere in the late 80's

It must have been his haircut and the way he dressed, he was a very dapper man.

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Originally Posted by east end bob

He was a no nonsense, get in the ring and get the job done fighter. He did it with great efficiency until Cus went. He was also very respectful until then. I was impressed by his deep knowledge of the sports history and analysis. The leeches around him after Cus ressurected his old demons and brought him down. Never forget the awesome spectacle of a Tyson fight. Very few fighters have even come close to that. It was sad to see such a great fighter go down so quickly.

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Originally Posted by beenKOed

KOs, Sir! He was young, seemed to live for boxing, didn't talk about much of anything except boxing. Did I mention KOs.
We knew he came from a single parent household, had gotten into some trouble, but seemed to being doing great with boxing as his main focus.
Had a close relationship with Cus, trained hard, spoke with hi pitched voice that didn't seem to fit in with what he did on the ring.
He kept KOing bigger, more experienced fighters with ease. He seemed to gain confidence with every KO. His life turned into a KO highlight reel.
That's why I liked him. I'm interested in what everyone else has to say.

---

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Tyson was also, is also far more intelligent than given credit for too. He is actually quite emotional I believe as well. He is human after all :)

People forget that.

Very few fighters could have withstood Tyson at his best. That is a fact!

I think it was a perfect storm of events and happenstances.

Firstly, boxing was ready for a saviour. The 1980s heavyweight titles had been split and they were being passed around to various fat and uninteresting boxers ..... All of whom were never allowed to become interesting or make any money as they all worked for Don King. Fights were boring, lengthy and pretty low skill to be honest

Along comes this young force of nature (ridiculously Young) who was just blowing people away like in a new video game. Tyson was the first fighter whose management produced a highlights reel and sent it to all the press and that was a master stroke.

With a Hollywood type back story, and regal links to the past in Cus D'Amato, Tyson has all the credentials. His media image paid homage to the greats of the past, and it was if he had been created for the sole purpose of knocking people out .... Which, in a sense, he had.

He rescued heavyweight boxing, let's not forget that, and ushered in the PPV era. Later on, his train wreck of a life and mental problems playing out on the public stage was just media gold. The prison terms and press reporting later playing nicely into the establishments's fear of the 'feral black man' (controversial, I know!)

However, and most importantly, Tyson was an electrifying a performer as had ever stepped into a boxing ring.

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Originally Posted by smashup

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Originally Posted by Mark TKO

Can't add any more than Smash said

Young, vicious and invincible (for a time) - someone who dominates and is apparently invincible brings the casual fan on board

Will never forget the shock I got got up early to check telext in 1990 - 'Tyson Knockout Sensation'

Good times in boxing

---

Teletext ;D;D;D;D

hahaha i remember my mum letting me stay awake till 3/4/5am to listen to Tyson v Bruno on the radio ;D

I'd put him up there with Michael Jackson in terms of fame for a good few years.

He was everywhere in the late 80's

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Ceefax to be precise - page 301 if my memory serves me right !

I did the same for Tyson Bruno - I actually thought Bruno had decked Tyson with the radio commentary in first round !

get in there Frank !!

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Originally Posted by Mark TKO

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Originally Posted by smashup

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mark TKO

Can't add any more than Smash said

Young, vicious and invincible (for a time) - someone who dominates and is apparently invincible brings the casual fan on board

Will never forget the shock I got got up early to check telext in 1990 - 'Tyson Knockout Sensation'

Good times in boxing

---

Teletext ;D;D;D;D

hahaha i remember my mum letting me stay awake till 3/4/5am to listen to Tyson v Bruno on the radio ;D

I'd put him up there with Michael Jackson in terms of fame for a good few years.

He was everywhere in the late 80's

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Ceefax to be precise - page 301 if my memory serves me right !

I did the same for Tyson Bruno - I actually thought Bruno had decked Tyson with the radio commentary in first round !

get in there Frank !!

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I wanted Tyson to win but when he knocked Bruno down in 10 seconds I felt sorry for Bruno.

Then Tyson got hurt in the first round and my true senses said Tyson should be champ.

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Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

First, Muhammed Ali was hated by more people in his day than Broner.

As for Tyson, he was what people wanted in a heavyweight champion. He seemed like a caged animal that was only let loose on fight night. And he went in there to destroy. Then when he was allowed to be in the media he was a train wreck. Train wrecks are both horrifying and compelling. A wreck doesn't have to obstruct a road to cause a traffic jam because everyone wants to get a good look.

There will always be a bit of intrigue with Mike, how we can never know what might happen at the next moment.

---

Ali withstood the test of time. Ali was hated only by the establishment, but deep down they were closet Ali fans- and looked for him, and to this day he is still the "man".

We all know Don King was the snake that destroyed him. We all know that.

Don King never had any fighter worth a tinkers damn since he destroyed Tyson's life and shortened the impact of his career.

They simply couldn't trust him... name one fight of note post-Tyson that Don King had and that we can say was worth their salt? No one!

Mayweather= NO
Oscar DLH= NO
GGG= NO
Shane Mosely= NO
Manny = NO

etc, etc, etc...

One word to describe Tyson...Ruthless

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Originally Posted by Tam Seddon

One word to describe Tyson...Ruthless

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His downfall came when he was no longer ruthless. ;D











Robin Givens' mother was Ruth, geddit
Badum-tish

Tysons downfall was himself. His original management team hid the issues and did not deal with them early. King and the rest used him for all the money he was worth.

However Tyson was the one that got into the rape situation, blew his money and had the endless relationship failures and substance misuse issues.

Simple!! Because he punched with incredible force, he went out there to finish pretty much every fight as soon as he possibly could and he was a little bit crazy so you never knew what was coming next from him. Those little factors there put bums on seats and breed excitement.

Awww he was misunderstood, a quiet spoken lad just looking for love in the gutter of life wading aimlessly through blood sweat and pain after serving out a few well deserved beatings on sum fuckers. :mad: :cool:
Very human qualities.

He was never popular.

He just had a very good publicity machine.

And, when he made some big money, the leeches latched on to him.

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Originally Posted by Andre

Awww he was misunderstood, a quiet spoken lad just looking for love in the gutter of life wading aimlessly through blood sweat and pain after serving out a few well deserved beatings on sum fuckers. :mad: :cool:
Very human qualities.

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LOL Well....

Since you put it that way....

;D

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Originally Posted by Bill Paxtom

He was never popular.

He just had a very good publicity machine.

And, when he made some big money, the leeches latched on to him.

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Was never popular? Just had a good publicity team?

I would say Tyson made his own publicity...

Give it up Paxtom! LOL

He was the complete package. He enamoured the casual boxing fans and was able to interest even those who had no clue of boxing. For the true boxing fan his power, ring IQ and that Damon peekaboo style was just something to behold. Also his hard luck story from the streets to youngest HW champ was inspiring. His antics at press conferences used to give him evening news exposure. I'm so glad to see he got his shot together and is enjoying life. I hope we see good things from iron Mike productions

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Originally Posted by ykdadamaja

Don King never had any fighter worth a tinkers damn since he destroyed Tyson's life and shortened the impact of his career.

They simply couldn't trust him... name one fight of note post-Tyson that Don King had and that we can say was worth their salt? No one!

Mayweather= NO
Oscar DLH= NO
GGG= NO
Shane Mosely= NO
Manny = NO

etc, etc, etc...

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He had Tito though.

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Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

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Originally Posted by ykdadamaja

Don King never had any fighter worth a tinkers damn since he destroyed Tyson's life and shortened the impact of his career.

They simply couldn't trust him... name one fight of note post-Tyson that Don King had and that we can say was worth their salt? No one!

Mayweather= NO
Oscar DLH= NO
GGG= NO
Shane Mosely= NO
Manny = NO

etc, etc, etc...

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He had Tito though.

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We sure had Tito...
Tito Trinidad reportedly broke after aide squandered $63 million - Ring TV

Tyson's early fights were featured on (free) network TV. He built a following there, as these fights were really something to behold.

He knocked everyone out. Fast. And unlike a lot of other KO artists, like say George Foreman or Earnie Shavers, he wasn't slow, prodding, or awkward. He was fast and furious, and graceful like a boxer. I mean he had form, movement, and defense. He was like Roberto Duran with 1-punch KO power. One opponent (Mike Jameson?) literally went airborne. Marvis Frazier became a ragdoll in like 2 seconds. Another guy went flying across the ring on a jab.

And this lasted well into his Heavyweight reign, with only occasional blips. One of the 3 reigning champions he defeated, Berbick or Pinklon...I forget, just totally lost his ability to stand, though he seemed ok in every other way. These were spectacular KO's. Michael Spinks.

All this came tumbling down with Buster Douglas. But Tyson was able to regain much of his form until he met Evander Holyfield. And that was it. But until then what we saw was something awesome. Something unique. Something both boxing connoisseur and peripheral fan could enjoy.

Mike Tyson gave you action and excitement, which the HW had lacked for some time, lets face
it HW boxing can be SHIT to watch.!
I've seen that many bad HW fights, past and present Tyson was a different a fast hard punching
action HW, they don't come round that off-ton and he was GOOD, yep I like watching Iron Mike
he made the HW division at that time, when you got a good HW champ boxing is on the up.
One Tyson fight is worth 20 Wald fights,! the brothers grime were grime to watch, but
Iron Mike Tyson well that a different mater.!;)

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Originally Posted by Max Power

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Originally Posted by Bill Paxtom

He was never popular.

He just had a very good publicity machine.

And, when he made some big money, the leeches latched on to him.

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Was never popular? Just had a good publicity team?

I would say Tyson made his own publicity...

Give it up Paxtom! LOL

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If Mike was so popular, and well liked.

Would you leave him alone with your teenage daughter.

Case Closed > Der Max Hitler.

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Originally Posted by Bill Paxtom

If Mike was so popular, and well liked.

Would you leave him alone with your teenage daughter.

Case Closed > Der Max Hitler.

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Dude

Just because a man does good, that does not mean he is good.

To use your Hitler example. I'm sure Adolf did good in his life, helped people out etc, that does not meant he was good.

As for trusting Tyson with your teenage daughter ? (Well if I had a teenage daughter) I would not trust any man with her.

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Originally Posted by Andre

Awww he was misunderstood, a quiet spoken lad just looking for love in the gutter of life wading aimlessly through blood sweat and pain after serving out a few well deserved beatings on sum fuckers. :mad: :cool:
Very human qualities.

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Yes yes, of course, we all agree the rascal was just misunderstood!

The thread is about what made him popular. Please sir, address the question, we all await your comments.😐

Humphrey Bogart

"It's easy to become popular. All you have to do is become a 'Fucking Asshole'."

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Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

First, Muhammed Ali was hated by more people in his day than Broner.

As for Tyson, he was what people wanted in a heavyweight champion. He seemed like a caged animal that was only let loose on fight night. And he went in there to destroy. Then when he was allowed to be in the media he was a train wreck. Train wrecks are both horrifying and compelling. A wreck doesn't have to obstruct a road to cause a traffic jam because everyone wants to get a good look.

There will always be a bit of intrigue with Mike, how we can never know what might happen at the next moment.

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Agreed.

Also @ Manju whot stated: Tyson's early fights were featured on (free) network TV. He built a following there, as these fights were really something to behold.

It's hard for kids today to know fighters who fight on cable or PPV if their parents can't afford it.

Back to Ron- Yeah caged animal defined him- black trunks -black shoes, no socks. No glitter trunks. He paced the ring. Shit was surreal to watch in reel time.
But for those who didn't grow up in that time- Tyson was a known fuckup of a kid to whom was moved from school to school by D'amato ..They made him fight often to keep him outta trouble.
Tyson quotes were a trip, too To Ruddock "I'm gonna make sure you kiss me good with thos big lips"

I forget who Tyson beat--post fight he said everytime he hit the guy he'd make little girl noises- and this high voiced Tyson doing the impression was hillarious...

I think I knew he was going to have a hard career when he had that street fight with Mitch Green and blackend & bruised that eye bad...

Watch a Tyson fight & it becomes easy to know why he was popular ...to me at least.