Was there any boxer in history more athletic than Mike Tyson?

[Truth]

Who got the stats that Vick benches 560 I call BS on that plus he never ran in the 4.2s his best official time (since coaches hand times are terribly innacurate) was a 4.36

[danieladamsmith]

Who got the stats that Vick benches 560 I call BS on that plus he never ran in the 4.2s his best official time (since coaches hand times are terribly innacurate) was a 4.36

I guess I'll join in the digression from boxing. I never trust timed sprints like they have in the combine. They're not wearing pads, etc and nobody is chasing them. It's like comparing what someone does on a bag to what they do in a fight.

Having said all of that, and despite Michael Vick's penchant for canine troubles, he is easily the the most athletic and fastest cat I have ever seen in football besides "Primetime". I'll never forget that Sugar Bowl when he basically ran through the entire Florida State defense.

As far as athleticism in boxing goes. I still feel like Sugar Ray Robinson is the archetype for the dancing/fluid fighter. I do agree. Tyson doesn't get nearly the credit for his athletic skills or his boxing skills by the general public that just sees K.O.s. He had a Frazier like slipping ability....and obviously the neck of a bull. I'm still new to boxing (Even at my old age of 42) so I am still learning. I still feel like we watch the evolution of fighters and can't compare them from different eras because of nutrition, training. Sugar Ray Robinson might have been the greatest of them all.

[El Kabong]

he is easily the the most athletic and fastest cat I have ever seen in football besides "Primetime". I'll never forget that Sugar Bowl when he basically ran through the entire Florida State defense.

Michael Vick while a good "athlete" for whatever that means is a shit QB and when compared to other current and former NFL players his "athletic ability" is somewhat average. Look at Orlando Pace, sure he's not quick or fast or anything flashy but given his size he was extremely athletic, look at Julius Peppers, Javon Kearse, Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, BO JACKSON! There are a number of guys I hold in much higher regard than Vick and that's not only because he's a piece of shit.


As far as boxers go I think athletic ability is only a piece of the puzzle because there have been incredible athletes who have been shit boxers: Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Mark Gastineau, etc etc. The mental/psychological ability to absorb punishment, to inflict punishment, and to be 1 on 1 in dangerous situations and not lose your head is a HUGE part of boxing. That ability to react/act without hesitation under pressure/danger is what seperates the All Time Greats from bums and journeymen....that's a thin line to walk and fighters like Ray Robinson and Ali pushed the envelope to the extreme with their styles of fighting.

[X]

I think some people are confusing natural athleticism with boxing ability?

Tyson was a true monster, but he wasn't a natural athlete ..... he was a fat kid, short arms and legs and not too much natural rythmn. Great hand/eye cordination and very well trained at the start of his career.

I think Ali was a better athlete - he had poor technique, no big punch but he was blessed with an abundance of natural gifts. Lennox Lewis' athleticism allowed him to overcome many of his faults ..... same with Roy Jones, once he deteriorated physically, he didnt have much left.

We've got really short memories ...... Jack Johnson and Jim Jeffries were fabulous athletes. To get into their physical condition, to get to their size strength and also to read about their statistics (Jeffries was a 60 yard dash champion) shows how naturally gifted they were in an era when training/diet/conditionaing were almost unheard of.

Dont forget that natural athleticism wont always make you a good fighter, there are some wonderful physical specimens who end up being rubbish fighters as well.