The Magic of Mike Tyson with Emanuel Steward

He is right, but I think he overrates that a bit .....


I see Ali´s size as an advantage, no doubt, one of the advantages.....I simply think others factors would be more important for Ali against Tyson....

in my humble opinion.....

 

I agree. Tyson is actually bigger than Frazier and I would bet the house that he was much stronger.

 

Yeah, I agree. Ali was no bigger than Trevor Berbick. Granted, Ali was on a different planet skill wise compared to Berbick, but physically, Ali and Berbick were equal. So, Ali's size would not bother Mike.

 

i think a large part of the Tyson mystique is and always was grounded in the fact that tyson was short and squat for a heavyweight. maybe thats been forgotten or supressed in the discusions of boxing connoisers but it was a large part of his mainstream appeal.
tyson was always the pitpull terrier savaging the Great danes of the heavyweight division. he was admired for handing out one-sided beatings or winning fights in less than 2 minutes in a way that he wouldnt have been admired had he been 6'4 with an 82 reach and doin the same

 

It's pretty simplistic analysis, Ettiene went toe-toe with him, look how that turned out and Ettiene was good enough to beat Brewster btw Do we seriously think Holmes and Rudduck were intimidated either? Tucker did what Lennox did pretty much too in the early going but Tyson broke him down to the body

He's right about backing Mike up and getting his respect, but that's basic boxing to do against any puncher or boxer for that matter, it's boxing 101. It's not just something you do against Tyson and doing it is allot easier than saying it

As for Tyson not doing well against the bigger guys. Well Tucker was 6'5, Smith 6'4, Bruno 6'3, Holmes 6'3

 

Agree.

Always thought the intimidation thing is a bit overblown.

 

in his autobiography larry holmes says he didnt want to come out of his dressing room and was thinking about calling the fight off at the last second.
i would call that intimidated

 

Steward isn't talking about any half decent big hoohaa. He's talking about super skillful big guys who weren't afraid. He's talking peak Holmes, Holyfield, Lewis and Ali.

Holmes shouldn't be in the discussion, he was that far past peak. Didn't matter how confident or agressive he was. Steward has said Holmes could no longer keep Tyson at a range where he could see his punches and this was the difference.

Steward is spot on imo.

 

Wouldn't call Holyfield a big heavyweight.

 

Holyfield is pretty much on par with Holmes and Ali. Possibly weighed a little more in peak fights and only 1/2" or so shorter.

His point is they ALL tower over Tyson. Tyson is a similar weight or bugger all heavier. Holyfield correctly predicted that if you start fighting and pushing him back he'll fold. Very few could do it, but Holyfield sure did. He would have done it at anytime.

These four all had the skills, heart, determination and intangibles to take Mike into deep water and eventually drown him. It's extremely rarified air, and plenty of greats thru history would not have been able to do it. Mike would have ran plenty of them over.

 

I have serious doubts Holyfield could have done that to Rooney-Tyson contrary to significantly technically declined week-minded post-prison Tyson.

 

Steward would 100% disagree. I also believe Holyfield would have rolled him.

Holyfield still entered the ring a massive underdog. His was a fantastic blueprint, and he predicted it as such. He was masterful at not letting Tyson get off in his favoured midrange and doing his own damage. Tyson hung in a long time.

Tyson was better pre Douglas for sure, but i still like Holyfield. I favour him, Holmes, Ali, Lewis, all of them over any version of Tyson at their finest. Foreman too. I think Tyson would beat Marciano and Dempsey, be a good fight with Louis and wipe out Charles, Walcott and such style and arsenal wise. Not sure about Liston. I'm undecided whether Liston had the snap needed to beat such a fast punching opponent.

 

Can Mike at least be a favourite against Klitschkos, John?