Tyson-Spinks: Memories of Tyson's prime

[El Kabong]

......Tyson's "prime" ends at Buster Douglas but where does it begin?

I'll float the idea that it was 1986 vs Mitch "Blood" Green because he was truly tested and stood up to the challenge.

But you Tyson fanatics must understand that for every good fighter Tyson fought there are 3 bad ones on his record

[Gandalf]

to be honest vitali is not a fighter known for fighting a full 12 rounds himself, tyson can fight 12 handily...and it doesnt mean you've beaten him. it means you have survived. tyson beats vitali by easy decision...

foreman himself shows a lot of respect for mike tyson, quite possibly because he knows prime tyson is too much for him...

marciano would have faced nothing like tyson ever before....build, size and weight....tyson was exceptional...

i will stop there because im getting bored....tyson is a great lyle, no matter how much you protest that "the greats" could all beat him....

[Gandalf]

......Tyson's "prime" ends at Buster Douglas but where does it begin?

I'll float the idea that it was 1986 vs Mitch "Blood" Green because he was truly tested and stood up to the challenge.

But you Tyson fanatics must understand that for every good fighter Tyson fought there are 3 bad ones on his record

many early fights are against avarage foe....and post jail is not prime tyson...

[JT Rock]

OK so you doubt me and my choices?

First off I will say Mike Tyson is not the best heavyweight ever, Prime Mike Tyson is not the best heavyweight ever either. Tyson is not infallable, a JAB?!?! hahahahaha Tyson had no jab he had a little flcik of a left hand but it was just a distraction for his hooks and uppercuts and overhand rights.

To beat Mike Tyson here is what you need
1. A chin
2. heart
3. good work rate
4. power (right upper cut/ 1-2)
5. it also helps to have a good jab and appropriate defense

Based on those factors here are my explinations

Wlad wouldn't last a round with Prime Tyson and if he did last A round he wouldn't last 2-3 more.

Vitali could concievably take Tyson's best shots as he has NEVER been knocked down amateur or pro (the Maskaev KO was a ref stoppage in the amateurs, don't bring up Pele Reid, that was kickboxing and a kick to the leg) no one can 100% say Tyson would beat Vitali ...now hang on. Even in his prime if you get Tyson past 5 rounds you have a better and better shot at beating him as the fight goes on and with Vitali's power I think he frustrates even a prime Tyson either losing a UD or maybe Vitali stops him or wins a UD himself.

As for Joe Louis...he was a GREAT boxer, as Tyson was a brawler. Yeah his competition wasn't great but he (especially after the Schmelling fight) was always ready to fight. As a good boxer he could stick Tyson and move out of the way, he had a great right hand and never threw punches to where he would end up out of position (which is where Tyson KO'd most of the scared guys he got in the ring with)

Dempsey or Marciano, yeah maybe it's a stretch but those guys had heart and they fought 15 round fights! They had the will, the stamina, and carried the power to beat Tyson. Those are guys no matter how hard Mike tried he wouldn't be able to get them out in the first 3 rounds.

George Foreman in my honest opinion would beat the ugly off of Mike Tyson! In Foreman you have a guy who is the strongest puncher ever, who instead of clobbering a light heavyweight to win the title he beat Joe Frazier in 2 rounds!!! Frazier had previously never been floored, and never lost much less been KO'd. And Menacing WOW...6'3 220 more than enough size to handle Tyson's bully tactics...Mike would wet his pants and hide in his corner.

Joe Frazier...he had a left hook, heart, determination, and the up and down head movement needed to be missed by Tyson's hooks. Plus an added benefit EDDIE FUTCH who was a lot better at giving advice than Kevin Rooney.

Riddick Bowe not beat Tyson?!?!? Are you F****** kidding me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI83P...bowe-holyfield there is my case for Bowe AND Holyfield beating Tyson. Bowe would make Tyson look horrible he was a good boxer with great power and he had every punch in the arsenal

Lennox Lewis was like Bowe but he didn't brawl or mix it up as much so yeah he was boring but he was more in control of the pace of the fight and he also had power.

Good rebuttable!!!! Early Tyson worked off Jab and Combos...

Already discussed Frazier Foreman vs Tyson Fights with you a few weeks back

from 6/06/06(imagine that)

I agree on how fearful people were of George he was a beast!!!!But I have watched alot Foreman fights and I was a big fan of his comeback as well as his history. The truth is George had no defense and lacked in the speed department...Early Tyson who jabbed and set up his combo's would be way to fast for George he would be overwhelmed,Tyson would land devasteing shots through Georges leaky defense..

Tyson Ko's George in 6..Only cause George is holding Tyson more than punching him or if it was a slugfest Tyson in 2, SC all you want its the truth..

Tyson was just as feared if not more than George...Everyone focuses on Tysons power which was some of the best ever,early Tyson had middleweight hand speed with devestating Power and 5-6 punch combos...THAT IS THE INTIMIDATIG PART...Nuclear missles coming at you like they were shot out of an UZI!!!!

from 6/04/06

Joe would have a signifigant disadvantage in the speed department..To me the amazing thing about Tyson wasnt just his feroscious punching power but his ability to throw 4-5 punch combo's with blazing speed...Early Tyson wasnt always looking for the big bomb..He would set his combo's off the Jab and then BOOM, BOOM, BANG, SPLAT... GOODNITE!!!

I see Joe Getting overwhelmed By Tysons Handspeed and eventually wilt from Tysons power....Joe would be game of course, constantly moving forward and standing in front of Mike he would take 2-3 to give 1 and you cant do that with Mike. He Would destroy him...Just as Bad as Foreman did if not worse...Remember Tyson always did well with people who came forward and stood in front of him..

Tyson by TKO or KO round 3

Thats my story and I am sticking to it

[The Promoter]

Mike Tyson was certainly a force and I think his media exposure certainly added a great deal as to where most posters on this board want to put a prime Tyson...but before we make him an "all-time great" or say he could have beaten anyone in history some questions must be asked;

1) What All-Time great was beaten by a C level fighter in what should have been their prime?...Tyson at 24 was clobbered by Buster Douglas. Tyson fans are quick for excuses; Tyson's head wasn't in it, he didn't train, Don King, Robin Givens, etc... Fact is he was spanked for 10 rounds by a C level fighter not a lucky punch but a complete beat down...great fighters adapt, Tyson did not. Mike Tyson was 24 years old. Ali, Foreman, etc., all face adversity but found a way to win in their prime, that's what made them special.

2) Great Fighters fight the best of their era...Tyson did not, instead he faced carefully picked opponents...Why didn't Tyson face Mercer, Holyfield(prime), Foreman and what would have been the biggest payday in history Tommy Morrison?...because Tyson's style didn't work with guys who would push him back. This is a long known Cus D'Amato fighter trait they don't fight going backward, Lou Duva knew this that's why he and Evander were calling Mike out day one. I'm not saying that Tyson would have lost these fights but exposed....maybe.

3) Guts, great champs have great heart, did Tyson ever have great heart? ask the poeple that knew him best he always had trouble psychologically when fighting opponents who fought back even back to the amatuers...did anyone see he yelping and crying in his corner about pain against Holyfield and LL?...was Mike ever able to get up from a knockdown to win a fight? Did he ever avenge a loss? Did he ever suck it up to come from behind to pull out a fight?...The only fight that I've seen Tyson be able to come from behind was Botha and some would argue that that was a lucky punch and Mike was ready to fold...

Tyson was not all that unique he just had better coverage...Look at Liston, Dempsey(And I too would take Dempsey) and most recently Ernie Shavers to see the same sorts of quickness and devstation...As I've said many times and I was a Tyson fan...Mike Tyson was a fighter with great potential and had some great fights...but an all-time great is certainly debatable...

[Gandalf]

OK so you doubt me and my choices?

First off I will say Mike Tyson is not the best heavyweight ever, Prime Mike Tyson is not the best heavyweight ever either. Tyson is not infallable, a JAB?!?! hahahahaha Tyson had no jab he had a little flcik of a left hand but it was just a distraction for his hooks and uppercuts and overhand rights.

To beat Mike Tyson here is what you need
1. A chin
2. heart
3. good work rate
4. power (right upper cut/ 1-2)
5. it also helps to have a good jab and appropriate defense

Based on those factors here are my explinations

Wlad wouldn't last a round with Prime Tyson and if he did last A round he wouldn't last 2-3 more.

Vitali could concievably take Tyson's best shots as he has NEVER been knocked down amateur or pro (the Maskaev KO was a ref stoppage in the amateurs, don't bring up Pele Reid, that was kickboxing and a kick to the leg) no one can 100% say Tyson would beat Vitali ...now hang on. Even in his prime if you get Tyson past 5 rounds you have a better and better shot at beating him as the fight goes on and with Vitali's power I think he frustrates even a prime Tyson either losing a UD or maybe Vitali stops him or wins a UD himself.

As for Joe Louis...he was a GREAT boxer, as Tyson was a brawler. Yeah his competition wasn't great but he (especially after the Schmelling fight) was always ready to fight. As a good boxer he could stick Tyson and move out of the way, he had a great right hand and never threw punches to where he would end up out of position (which is where Tyson KO'd most of the scared guys he got in the ring with)

Dempsey or Marciano, yeah maybe it's a stretch but those guys had heart and they fought 15 round fights! They had the will, the stamina, and carried the power to beat Tyson. Those are guys no matter how hard Mike tried he wouldn't be able to get them out in the first 3 rounds.

George Foreman in my honest opinion would beat the ugly off of Mike Tyson! In Foreman you have a guy who is the strongest puncher ever, who instead of clobbering a light heavyweight to win the title he beat Joe Frazier in 2 rounds!!! Frazier had previously never been floored, and never lost much less been KO'd. And Menacing WOW...6'3 220 more than enough size to handle Tyson's bully tactics...Mike would wet his pants and hide in his corner.

Joe Frazier...he had a left hook, heart, determination, and the up and down head movement needed to be missed by Tyson's hooks. Plus an added benefit EDDIE FUTCH who was a lot better at giving advice than Kevin Rooney.

Riddick Bowe not beat Tyson?!?!? Are you F****** kidding me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI83P...bowe-holyfield there is my case for Bowe AND Holyfield beating Tyson. Bowe would make Tyson look horrible he was a good boxer with great power and he had every punch in the arsenal

Lennox Lewis was like Bowe but he didn't brawl or mix it up as much so yeah he was boring but he was more in control of the pace of the fight and he also had power.

Good rebuttable!!!! Early Tyson worked off Jab and Combos...

Already discussed Frazier Foreman vs Tyson Fights with you a few weeks back

from 6/06/06(imagine that)

I agree on how fearful people were of George he was a beast!!!!But I have watched alot Foreman fights and I was a big fan of his comeback as well as his history. The truth is George had no defense and lacked in the speed department...Early Tyson who jabbed and set up his combo's would be way to fast for George he would be overwhelmed,Tyson would land devasteing shots through Georges leaky defense..

Tyson Ko's George in 6..Only cause George is holding Tyson more than punching him or if it was a slugfest Tyson in 2, SC all you want its the truth..

Tyson was just as feared if not more than George...Everyone focuses on Tysons power which was some of the best ever,early Tyson had middleweight hand speed with devestating Power and 5-6 punch combos...THAT IS THE INTIMIDATIG PART...Nuclear missles coming at you like they were shot out of an UZI!!!!

from 6/04/06

Joe would have a signifigant disadvantage in the speed department..To me the amazing thing about Tyson wasnt just his feroscious punching power but his ability to throw 4-5 punch combo's with blazing speed...Early Tyson wasnt always looking for the big bomb..He would set his combo's off the Jab and then BOOM, BOOM, BANG, SPLAT... GOODNITE!!!

I see Joe Getting overwhelmed By Tysons Handspeed and eventually wilt from Tysons power....Joe would be game of course, constantly moving forward and standing in front of Mike he would take 2-3 to give 1 and you cant do that with Mike. He Would destroy him...Just as Bad as Foreman did if not worse...Remember Tyson always did well with people who came forward and stood in front of him..

Tyson by TKO or KO round 3

Thats my story and I am sticking to it

And im inclined to agree

[JT Rock]

......Tyson's "prime" ends at Buster Douglas but where does it begin?

I'll float the idea that it was 1986 vs Mitch "Blood" Green because he was truly tested and stood up to the challenge.

But you Tyson fanatics must understand that for every good fighter Tyson fought there are 3 bad ones on his record

If I am a Tyson Fanatic...You are a Foreman Fanatic!!!!! and you are being way to shallow minded about anything that relates to Foreman ,Frazier,Lyle etc...

Its your opinion and I RESPECT your opinion!!!! You are a good poster and acknowledge that frequently but again dont call the kettle When you do the same with your fanatic zeal for your boys

whats fair is fair brotha and have one of these I always enjoy these debates over alot of the garbage we see on here with severely biased junk by frequently flushed ones

[JT Rock]

Mike Tyson was certainly a force and I think his media exposure certainly added a great deal as to where most posters on this board want to put a prime Tyson...but before we make him an "all-time great" or say he could have beaten anyone in history some questions must be asked;

1) What All-Time great was beaten by a C level fighter in what should have been their prime?...Tyson at 24 was clobbered by Buster Douglas. Tyson fans are quick for excuses; Tyson's head wasn't in it, he didn't train, Don King, Robin Givens, etc... Fact is he was spanked for 10 rounds by a C level fighter not a lucky punch but a complete beat down...great fighters adapt, Tyson did not. Mike Tyson was 24 years old. Ali, Foreman, etc., all face adversity but found a way to win in their prime, that's what made them special.

2) Great Fighters fight the best of their era...Tyson did not, instead he faced carefully picked opponents...Why didn't Tyson face Mercer, Holyfield(prime), Foreman and what would have been the biggest payday in history Tommy Morrison?...because Tyson's style didn't work with guys who would push him back. This is a long known Cus D'Amato fighter trait they don't fight going backward, Lou Duva knew this that's why he and Evander were calling Mike out day one. I'm not saying that Tyson would have lost these fights but exposed....maybe.

3) Guts, great champs have great heart, did Tyson ever have great heart? ask the poeple that knew him best he always had trouble psychologically when fighting opponents who fought back even back to the amatuers...did anyone see he yelping and crying in his corner about pain against Holyfield and LL?...was Mike ever able to get up from a knockdown to win a fight? Did he ever avenge a loss? Did he ever suck it up to come from behind to pull out a fight?...The only fight that I've seen Tyson be able to come from behind was Botha and some would argue that that was a lucky punch and Mike was ready to fold...

Tyson was not all that unique he just had better coverage...Look at Liston, Dempsey(And I too would take Dempsey) and most recently Ernie Shavers to see the same sorts of quickness and devstation...As I've said many times and I was a Tyson fan...Mike Tyson was a fighter with great potential and had some great fights...but an all-time great is certainly debatable...

That Buster fight was bitter sweet to me for a few reasons

1) That was one of the times Tyson did display heart and kept coming forward regardless he took a great deal of punishment but never gave up

2) That LONG COUNT PISSES ME OFF TO THIS DAY!!!!!!  I was watching thay fight as a youngster screaming at the FUKING TV Buster was counted out period!!!!! but if it wasnt that fight would of Mike Collapsed and derailed in the next fight?Who knows??

3) amazing nite and one of the most memorable fights I have ever seen from a historical standpoint BIGGEST UPSET IMO EVER IN BOXING..

Mike pressed on like a warrior against Buster and didnt give up AND KEPT FIGHTING.. I think the Lewis,Holyfield,McBride fights would have been different if he displayed that kind of fighting spirit,He just gave up against those guys

[El Kabong]

to be honest vitali is not a fighter known for fighting a full 12 rounds himself, tyson can fight 12 handily...and it doesnt mean you've beaten him. it means you have survived. tyson beats vitali by easy decision...

foreman himself shows a lot of respect for mike tyson, quite possibly because he knows prime tyson is too much for him...

marciano would have faced nothing like tyson ever before....build, size and weight....tyson was exceptional...

i will stop there because im getting bored....tyson is a great lyle, no matter how much you protest that "the greats" could all beat him....

Yeah well when you KO all but 3 of the guys you fight and you only lose 2 times you don't get the oppertunity to "go the distance".

What I am saying about Mike I don't do with malice, but I am trying to be real. Mike is closer to a Frank Bruno or Donovan Rudduck (not saying those guys are great, just Tyson is closer to them than Holyfield and Lewis) level than a Holyfield or Lewis level. And I will admit Vitali Klitschko is not a great becauise he didn't fight long enough, had he had maybe 5-8 more fights cleaning out the division (winning the way he usually does, by KO) yeah he'd be a great but not a Top 10.

No matter how much the Tyson fans talk about it, Mike will NEVER be a Top 10 All-Time Great Heavyweight...that is an elite list which Tyson sadly couldn't work his way on to....had he beat a Holyfield, Bowe, Lewis, Moorer, or even a Mercer, McCall, Morrison type fighter he'd be better in my opinion. But I know he spent some good years in jail (which may have actually prolonged his career) but after he got out he was a shell of what he was...and the Douglas fight....that was HORRID I haven't seen an ass kickin like that for a long time.


jtrock
1) He never got up to win
2) Buster took Tyson's power but apparently Holyfield punches harder than everyone thought
3) Mike might have "pressed on like a warrior" but where was his head movement? where was his work on the inside? where was his talent? All he showed in that fight were bully tactics and a hard head....and the dumbest corner in the history of the sport!

[Gandalf]

to be honest vitali is not a fighter known for fighting a full 12 rounds himself, tyson can fight 12 handily...and it doesnt mean you've beaten him. it means you have survived. tyson beats vitali by easy decision...

foreman himself shows a lot of respect for mike tyson, quite possibly because he knows prime tyson is too much for him...

marciano would have faced nothing like tyson ever before....build, size and weight....tyson was exceptional...

i will stop there because im getting bored....tyson is a great lyle, no matter how much you protest that "the greats" could all beat him....

Yeah well when you KO all but 3 of the guys you fight and you only lose 2 times you don't get the oppertunity to "go the distance".

What I am saying about Mike I don't do with malice, but I am trying to be real. Mike is closer to a Frank Bruno or Donovan Rudduck (not saying those guys are great, just Tyson is closer to them than Holyfield and Lewis) level than a Holyfield or Lewis level. And I will admit Vitali Klitschko is not a great becauise he didn't fight long enough, had he had maybe 5-8 more fights cleaning out the division (winning the way he usually does, by KO) yeah he'd be a great but not a Top 10.

No matter how much the Tyson fans talk about it, Mike will NEVER be a Top 10 All-Time Great Heavyweight...that is an elite list which Tyson sadly couldn't work his way on to....had he beat a Holyfield, Bowe, Lewis, Moorer, or even a Mercer, McCall, Morrison type fighter he'd be better in my opinion. But I know he spent some good years in jail (which may have actually prolonged his career) but after he got out he was a shell of what he was...and the Douglas fight....that was HORRID I haven't seen an a** kickin like that for a long time.


jtrock
1) He never got up to win
2) Buster took Tyson's power but apparently Holyfield punches harder than everyone thought
3) Mike might have "pressed on like a warrior" but where was his head movement? where was his work on the inside? where was his talent? All he showed in that fight were bully tactics and a hard head....and the dumbest corner in the history of the sport!

I disagree completely, lyle...

and to be honest you offer nothing new....

prime tyson was beautiful....do you really think lewis, douglas or williams would have beaten that?



You even think Morrison had a chance...you show ignorance with that choice sublimely

[Gandalf]

to be honest vitali is not a fighter known for fighting a full 12 rounds himself, tyson can fight 12 handily...and it doesnt mean you've beaten him. it means you have survived. tyson beats vitali by easy decision...

foreman himself shows a lot of respect for mike tyson, quite possibly because he knows prime tyson is too much for him...

marciano would have faced nothing like tyson ever before....build, size and weight....tyson was exceptional...

i will stop there because im getting bored....tyson is a great lyle, no matter how much you protest that "the greats" could all beat him....

Yeah well when you KO all but 3 of the guys you fight and you only lose 2 times you don't get the oppertunity to "go the distance".

What I am saying about Mike I don't do with malice, but I am trying to be real. Mike is closer to a Frank Bruno or Donovan Rudduck (not saying those guys are great, just Tyson is closer to them than Holyfield and Lewis) level than a Holyfield or Lewis level. And I will admit Vitali Klitschko is not a great becauise he didn't fight long enough, had he had maybe 5-8 more fights cleaning out the division (winning the way he usually does, by KO) yeah he'd be a great but not a Top 10.

No matter how much the Tyson fans talk about it, Mike will NEVER be a Top 10 All-Time Great Heavyweight...that is an elite list which Tyson sadly couldn't work his way on to....had he beat a Holyfield, Bowe, Lewis, Moorer, or even a Mercer, McCall, Morrison type fighter he'd be better in my opinion. But I know he spent some good years in jail (which may have actually prolonged his career) but after he got out he was a shell of what he was...and the Douglas fight....that was HORRID I haven't seen an a** kickin like that for a long time.


jtrock
1) He never got up to win
2) Buster took Tyson's power but apparently Holyfield punches harder than everyone thought
3) Mike might have "pressed on like a warrior" but where was his head movement? where was his work on the inside? where was his talent? All he showed in that fight were bully tactics and a hard head....and the dumbest corner in the history of the sport!

I disagree completely, lyle...

and to be honest you offer nothing new....

prime tyson was beautiful....do you really think lewis, douglas or williams would have beaten that?



You even think Morrison had a chance...you show ignorance with that choice sublimely

beware folks, lyle is replying

[The Promoter]

Mike Tyson was certainly a force and I think his media exposure certainly added a great deal as to where most posters on this board want to put a prime Tyson...but before we make him an "all-time great" or say he could have beaten anyone in history some questions must be asked;

1) What All-Time great was beaten by a C level fighter in what should have been their prime?...Tyson at 24 was clobbered by Buster Douglas. Tyson fans are quick for excuses; Tyson's head wasn't in it, he didn't train, Don King, Robin Givens, etc... Fact is he was spanked for 10 rounds by a C level fighter not a lucky punch but a complete beat down...great fighters adapt, Tyson did not. Mike Tyson was 24 years old. Ali, Foreman, etc., all face adversity but found a way to win in their prime, that's what made them special.

2) Great Fighters fight the best of their era...Tyson did not, instead he faced carefully picked opponents...Why didn't Tyson face Mercer, Holyfield(prime), Foreman and what would have been the biggest payday in history Tommy Morrison?...because Tyson's style didn't work with guys who would push him back. This is a long known Cus D'Amato fighter trait they don't fight going backward, Lou Duva knew this that's why he and Evander were calling Mike out day one. I'm not saying that Tyson would have lost these fights but exposed....maybe.

3) Guts, great champs have great heart, did Tyson ever have great heart? ask the poeple that knew him best he always had trouble psychologically when fighting opponents who fought back even back to the amatuers...did anyone see he yelping and crying in his corner about pain against Holyfield and LL?...was Mike ever able to get up from a knockdown to win a fight? Did he ever avenge a loss? Did he ever suck it up to come from behind to pull out a fight?...The only fight that I've seen Tyson be able to come from behind was Botha and some would argue that that was a lucky punch and Mike was ready to fold...

Tyson was not all that unique he just had better coverage...Look at Liston, Dempsey(And I too would take Dempsey) and most recently Ernie Shavers to see the same sorts of quickness and devstation...As I've said many times and I was a Tyson fan...Mike Tyson was a fighter with great potential and had some great fights...but an all-time great is certainly debatable...

That Buster fight was bitter sweet to me for a few reasons

1) That was one of the times Tyson did display heart and kept coming forward regardless he took a great deal of punishment but never gave up

2) That LONG COUNT PISSES ME OFF TO THIS DAY!!!!!! I was watching thay fight as a youngster screaming at the FUKING TV Buster was counted out period!!!!! but if it wasnt that fight would of Mike Collapsed and derailed in the next fight?Who knows??

3) amazing nite and one of the most memorable fights I have ever seen from a historical standpoint BIGGEST UPSET IMO EVER IN BOXING..

Mike pressed on like a warrior against Buster and didnt give up AND KEPT FIGHTING.. I think the Lewis,Holyfield,McBride fights would have been different if he displayed that kind of fighting spirit,He just gave up against those guys

I won't argue with your opinion but I did see it differently...I saw Mike resigned to the fact that he was taking a beating and had no clue as to how to respond or adapt, he didn't press he just took his beating much like the LL fight....The count meant nothing long and short counts take place all the time, the fact that Douglas was able to follow the ref's count is all that matters and he got up easily...If in fact he was really hurt why did Buster come out the next round and just whip tyson?...I do want to point out that regardless of the fact that Douglas fought the best fight of his life there is no way barring injury or lucky punch that a C level fighter like Buster Douglas would have beaten any of the above mentioned greats...

[El Kabong]

Morrison had a chance at the time...considering Holyfield KO'd Mike, I think Tommy would have a good shot at fighting Mike closer than everyone thinks. I also think Ray Mercer would have given Tyson a VERY tough fight.

Yeah Lennox had a good shot a beating him when he was ready to fight for titles...everyone talks about when they were both in their primes but their primes were at LEAST 5 years apart

Well miles I hate to bring it up but Floyd Patterson had the same style and he got bothered by the same type of fighters that Tyson got bothered with. The STYLE had flaws, Tyson used it in an awesome manner but it was not without flaws.
1) it shortened punches (good only if you fight in close)
2) it only works while moving forward

So by that rational a good jab and tying up on the inside for 12 rounds wins fights vs the D'mato style.

[The Promoter]

to be honest vitali is not a fighter known for fighting a full 12 rounds himself, tyson can fight 12 handily...and it doesnt mean you've beaten him. it means you have survived. tyson beats vitali by easy decision...

foreman himself shows a lot of respect for mike tyson, quite possibly because he knows prime tyson is too much for him...

marciano would have faced nothing like tyson ever before....build, size and weight....tyson was exceptional...

i will stop there because im getting bored....tyson is a great lyle, no matter how much you protest that "the greats" could all beat him....

Yeah well when you KO all but 3 of the guys you fight and you only lose 2 times you don't get the oppertunity to "go the distance".

What I am saying about Mike I don't do with malice, but I am trying to be real. Mike is closer to a Frank Bruno or Donovan Rudduck (not saying those guys are great, just Tyson is closer to them than Holyfield and Lewis) level than a Holyfield or Lewis level. And I will admit Vitali Klitschko is not a great becauise he didn't fight long enough, had he had maybe 5-8 more fights cleaning out the division (winning the way he usually does, by KO) yeah he'd be a great but not a Top 10.

No matter how much the Tyson fans talk about it, Mike will NEVER be a Top 10 All-Time Great Heavyweight...that is an elite list which Tyson sadly couldn't work his way on to....had he beat a Holyfield, Bowe, Lewis, Moorer, or even a Mercer, McCall, Morrison type fighter he'd be better in my opinion. But I know he spent some good years in jail (which may have actually prolonged his career) but after he got out he was a shell of what he was...and the Douglas fight....that was HORRID I haven't seen an a** kickin like that for a long time.


jtrock
1) He never got up to win
2) Buster took Tyson's power but apparently Holyfield punches harder than everyone thought
3) Mike might have "pressed on like a warrior" but where was his head movement? where was his work on the inside? where was his talent? All he showed in that fight were bully tactics and a hard head....and the dumbest corner in the history of the sport!

I disagree completely, lyle...

and to be honest you offer nothing new....

prime tyson was beautiful....do you really think lewis, douglas or williams would have beaten that?



You even think Morrison had a chance...you show ignorance with that choice sublimely

Ignorance lies in that fact that you think Morrison had "no chance"...did Douglas have a chance...Obviously Tyson's camp felt differntly than you did... Because if in fact Tommy had "no chance" they would have been all over it, a Tyson/Morrison fight would have been the biggest fight in history from a $$$ perspective and according to you an easy payday....mmmm makes you wonder no?

[Gandalf]

Morrison had a chance at the time...considering Holyfield KO'd Mike, I think Tommy would have a good shot at fighting Mike closer than everyone thinks. I also think Ray Mercer would have given Tyson a VERY tough fight.

Yeah Lennox had a good shot a beating him when he was ready to fight for titles...everyone talks about when they were both in their primes but their primes were at LEAST 5 years apart

Well miles I hate to bring it up but Floyd Patterson had the same style and he got bothered by the same type of fighters that Tyson got bothered with. The STYLE had flaws, Tyson used it in an awesome manner but it was not without flaws.
1) it shortened punches (good only if you fight in close)
2) it only works while moving forward

So by that rational a good jab and tying up on the inside for 12 rounds wins fights vs the D'mato style.

Bollocks. Tyson throws first he lands first then gets tied up....he wins rounds and takes the decsion....

tyson was a technician believe it or not!!!! hilarious!!!