Why was Mike Tyson so popular?

[ykdadamaja]

We never really ever knew why, huh?

We knew why Ali was popular- he was mouthy, political, Muslim and he stood for something. He also backed up his talks in the ring.

We knew why Joe Louis was popular- war veteran, string of undefeated title defences, defeated Nazi Germany via Schmeling, etc, etc...

But, there were a lot of guys that were champions before and after Tyson who we, quite frankly, could give a fuck about in the grand scheme of things- and we mean Lewis, the Klits, Holyfield, and Bowe.

So, what in the world made Tyson such a mega star and still revered and talked about to this day, despite all of what he has done and gone through?

[Gandalf]

Sex appeal and knock out power.

[Max Power]

Mike Tyson is the most popular boxer of all time and will be for probably a very long time to come.

IT was his Spartan approach to the sport, unlike the prissy heroes of the sport before him, he entered the ring like a panther hungry with the smell of his next kill.

And the viciousness with which he launched himself in for the kill from the opening bell was something never before seen in boxing.

And the level of skill, speed, power and reflexes, accuracy, timing coupled with that aggression was also never before witnessed. Nearly impossible to hit clean, nearly impossible to evade, nearly impossible to withstand.

For a time, he was considered unlike any fighter before or after.. Invincible!

If it was not for watching Tyson when I was a lad, I probably would never have become interested in boxing at all. I was VERY impressed!

[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

[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.

[SlimTrae]

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.

Agreed.

Also @ Manju whot stated: Tyson's early fights were featured on (free) network TV. He built a following there, as these fights were really something to behold.

It's hard for kids today to know fighters who fight on cable or PPV if their parents can't afford it.

Back to Ron- Yeah caged animal defined him- black trunks -black shoes, no socks. No glitter trunks. He paced the ring. Shit was surreal to watch in reel time.
But for those who didn't grow up in that time- Tyson was a known fuckup of a kid to whom was moved from school to school by D'amato ..They made him fight often to keep him outta trouble.
Tyson quotes were a trip, too To Ruddock "I'm gonna make sure you kiss me good with thos big lips"

I forget who Tyson beat--post fight he said everytime he hit the guy he'd make little girl noises- and this high voiced Tyson doing the impression was hillarious...

I think I knew he was going to have a hard career when he had that street fight with Mitch Green and blackend & bruised that eye bad...

Watch a Tyson fight & it becomes easy to know why he was popular ...to me at least.

[beenKOed]

KOs, Sir! He was young, seemed to live for boxing, didn't talk about much of anything except boxing. Did I mention KOs.
We knew he came from a single parent household, had gotten into some trouble, but seemed to being doing great with boxing as his main focus.
Had a close relationship with Cus, trained hard, spoke with hi pitched voice that didn't seem to fit in with what he did on the ring.
He kept KOing bigger, more experienced fighters with ease. He seemed to gain confidence with every KO. His life turned into a KO highlight reel.
That's why I liked him. I'm interested in what everyone else has to say.