Why was Mike Tyson so popular?

[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.

[Max Power]

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.

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.

[p4pking]

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

[SugarBoxing]

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.

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.

[smashup]

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.

[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 teletext in 1990 - 'Tyson Knockout Sensation'

Good times in boxing

[smashup]

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

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

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

[Beanflicker]

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

[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

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

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

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 !!

[ykdadamaja]

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".

[ykdadamaja]

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

[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...

[Ron Swanson]

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...

He had Tito though.

[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...

He had Tito though.

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

[Manju]

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.