So how good a boxer was Mike Tyson? [View all]

Last edited Sat Aug 7, 2021, 07:02 PM - Edit history (1)

IMHO he was probably over rated even in his prime. He had obvious skills and a knock out punch but he was too small, he didn't have the arm reach to be a really dominant heavy weight.
I didn't see too many of his early fights but some of those he seemed to win before he ever stepped in the ring. His opponents were afraid to fight him (Hello Michael Spinks!).
As I recall the beginning of the end came when he faced the British heavy weight Frank Bruno. Tyson famously said: Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. Well, Bruno's plan was to not get punched in the face. He stayed away, picked his spots, and lasted six rounds before a TKO I think (I'm doing this from memory).
Then came the fight in Japan with the guy whose name I can't remember. I never saw that one but I assume it was the same story. Avoid the ferocious rush where Tyson tries to end the fight early, let him punch himself out.
Finally there was Evander Holyfield, a skilled boxer who had no fear of Tyson, and had figured out his flaws. After a few rounds Tyson was reconsidering his choice of careers.
I think Tyson and was a good boxer who lucked out for a long time in the lack of quality opponents. Tyson wouldn't have stood a chance against the great boxers of an earlier era. Someone like George Forman would have laughed at him.
Just my opinion on a lazy Saturday night.