Quote Originally Posted by Taeth
Quote Originally Posted by OumaFan
Quote Originally Posted by Taeth
Did you watch him during his prime... the only thing that held him back from taking away Ali's crown was his mind. He more phyiscal gifts than any other fighter barring RJJ. Tyson had a good style not the best for him IMO, but he used it more efficiently than any other fighter ever has... Had he not broken down mentally so much he might still be champion defending his zillionth title because he definitely still has the physical assets.
the mental aspect is of primary importance to boxing, just look at Bernard Hopkins who didn't have the physical gifts of an elite fighter but because he always stayed in shape, and always had a single minded devotion to the game became a great. Tyson's career is based on unfulfilled potential
I agree the mental aspect is important, and thats why Tyson isn't an all time great, he just had the most potential we've ever seen, and we got a glimpse of it during the begining of his career and that was enough to know he would have been better than Ali. Bernard Hopkins didn't have great physical gifts, but he had good ones. He had power before it eroded, and he had a good chin with good speed and he was a very large and strong middleweight. If he had gone even to SMW especially in the 90's he wouldn't even be mentioned nowadays.
I agree that he had absolutely frightening potential...but we never saw him in those early days against the quality of fighters that Ali faced. Personally I think Ali would have broke down Tyson mentally and embarrassed him but I know people disagree with me on that. Ali had the physical tools, the toughness, and most importantly the mental strength. Bernard was talented, no doubt, but guys like Donald Curry had much more talent and couldn't keep it together, Bernard's mental toughness and discipline were his best attributes IMO