Tyson at welterweight.

[ross]

Tyson was successful because he fought, at HW, like a lighter weight fighter. Slipping punches, countering, changing angles, etc...are rarely seen at HW and the big guys tend to be dumb as well as slow. At WW, those skills are pretty common among the top guys. In addition they always fight at a faster pace and are much smarter than HWs. There have been numerous short, hard hitting welters; some did well, others did not. None are among the top guys at that weight, except Armstrong and his style was nothing like that of Tyson.
Tyson did not fight well inside, he did his damage on the way in. More often than not, he tied up in close, or accepted being tied up. That would hurt him at welter, where he'd be far more likely to get hit coming in.
The number punching system, and being around people that 'understood' it is pretty irrelevant in and of itself. Unless you think there is an important difference between saying "1-2-3" and saying "jab, right hand, hook." What hurt Tyson was when his reflexes slowed a bit and then he started standing straight up and walking in. At welter, that would make him Larry Barnes.

It wasn't just a numbered punching system

Buddy McGirt being interviewed about training Tyson.

"Yep. We've been working together all this week. Mike is going to take Saturday and Sunday off and we go back to the gym again on Monday. Let me tell ya, working with Mike has been really exciting for me AND it's a great learning experience. It's made me realize that every coach has their masterpiece... and Mike Tyson is Cus D'Amato's masterpiece. What Cus taught him... what Cus did with him... is truly amazing. I don't think Cus could have gotten the same results with of any other fighter. I always thought Cus' system was all about the peek-a-boo style. But it's not. It's about positioning yourself to throw punches... and Mike does it VERY well. Mike is extremely gifted and it's incredible to watch him. The other day Mike and I were walking down the street and I told him 'Man, you know... you're Cus D'Amato's masterpiece!' Mike agreed with me, and told me that Cus told him that he's one fighter that he never would have to protect."

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Exactly what you say when you're on the payroll of a man you know to be mentally fragile.

He had great talent but the dude didn't have it between the ears.

I'm shocked that some don't realize how much better the lighter fighters are. It's not even close.

Only Mayweather can compare to Tyson's shear dominance.

Mike also didn't have the luxuries of catch weights. He had to fight people 30lbs heavier than him. His skill set was that amazing that he dealt with these much bigger stronger men easily.

Ask Pacquiao to face froch or Kovalev. Thats the size difference Mike was dealing with.