Is mike Tyson that great ?

[SugarBoxing]

Tyson was pretty tough, because, unlike many HWs, his offense was based off his defense.
But here's where it all gets funky. Losing Rooney was not what made him slip, because Rooney was just a drunken stumble bum to begin with. Tyson was done in by the peek-a-boo style.
In that manner of fighting, reflexes are key. Patterson ditched it, but Tyson never did. What he needed, once his reflexes slipped, was not somebody seeking to return him to his "old" style, especially not Rooney (who was never otherwise involved with anyone of any success).
What he needed was a trainer that would point him in a direction that would enable him to succeed.
And no HW will ever be "great" because HWs are typically so abysmally skilled.

I agree, Roooney was good as flesh behind Cus's mind, executing his training commands.
Alone, he was not that good + drinking problems.

After watching Tyson's fights, Cus died around fight no 11 if I am not mistaken, Tyson's style started to changce already since then, but he kept going for a while till he won the title.

I also think, Cus was apparently too old to train Mike in the ring himself, hold mitts and stuff

But the real more important reason is this:

Cus used "good and bad cop" method with Mike. It was important to keep an image of a father in Mike's eye, so Mike would be his doggy all the time,
obeying his commands. Cus rarely said any crap to Mike, always only encourage him. The crap came from Rooney or Altas , who was intructed by Cus actually. This is why
when Mike reached the top, he had no regrets dumping Rooney (and Atlas earlier). Who would like to keep a pain-in-the-ass around yourself all the time?