If Rooney had stayed with Tyson his whole career

I'll second that!

 

Holyfield made it his life mission to beat Tyson. He was obsessed with the guy. I read he watched all the tapes of Mikes previous fights and noted down all goods weaknesses in order to come up with the perfect strategy against him in their fight. Plus he called Tua for sparring sessions before the fight. Now that is professionalism and determination for you which I wish Tyson had in his career.

Tyson came into the fight with a slight paunch, he read too much into the belief that holyfield was shot and thought it would be a walkover.

 

Well he was not going to get a 7ft beanpole for a sparring partner now was he? Nothing unusual there then.

I don't think beating Tyson was more important to him than winning the heavyweight title, it just so happened that Tyson was the man at that particular point until Buster Douglas came along to spoil the party.

If you really want to believe that Tyson took Holyfield lightly then so believe it, Tyson knew how much of a great fighter was and he was as well prepared IMO, I don't care what he said afterwards as an excuse.

 

not according to his interview in sports illustrated

and in the James Toback film
'Holyfield was a good fighter, but i knew he wasn't in my league'

at the pre fight press conference 'You've got nothing left old man, im going to enjoy this'

yes. Tyson was definitely taking Holyfield seriously.

FFS, the whole world thought Holyfield had no chance

 

He came in with a paunch in the first fight when he looked ripped in his previous fights. This is mentioned in all the documentaries on him and that bout and is clear to a neutral and unbiased observer. Obviously he knew holyfield was no bum but he didn't expect him to seriously pose the challenge that he did eventually in that fight.

 

I'm not buying it sorry, the second fight was going exactly like the first fight aswell. Don't fall for the headbutt excuses, Tyson knew he was in for another drubbing and he found a way out.

 

Not really Tyson had a good third round. George Foreman once mentioned that holyfield was the dirtiest fighter he ever fought. Tyson just had a bipolar episode that night.

 

It was probably the first time, since the Spinks fight, that we saw flashes of the 'old Tyson'. Its just a shame he didnt have the mental discipline and he has admitted this himself.

Holyfield definitely is a dirty fighter, im not agreeing with what Tyson did, but in Tysons mind, he was getting frustrated and he thought fine, ill level the playing field.

Tyson: 'This man (Holyfield) is taller than me, what the hell his his head doing under my chin?

 

I like how you always say stuff like "Tyson admitted this himself!" Of course he's going to give excuses of why he got beat, doesn't mean it's true though!

Bull****! Tyson knew he was in for another hiding and like a coward he chose to foul!

It's funny you say that but it was Tyson who was lunging in with the head in the first fight but he came off second best, the man couldn't take what he dished out!

 

They both came in charging with their heads down and Tyson just happened to get the worst of it. Now how is that Holyfield's fault?

 

Holyfield will never admit to the headbutts and steroid usage. Why would he not foul against Lewis, Williams, McBride or Douglas if he was that ashamed of losing? Why was he just ashamed to lose against holyfield? Those guys beat him more brutally compared to the real deal

 

Why would he admit to something he hasn't done? Holyfield has never been caught taking PED's, FACT!!!

Like I said Tyson's cuts were accidental and just as much Tyson's fault for lunging in!

Because the guys a ticking time bomb that's why, he should have been disqualified against Botha aswell!

 

Tyson calling Holyfield a dirty fighter, is like Al Capone calling John Dillenger a criminal, hypocrisy at it's finest, and the **** don't fly..

Tyson was a dirty fighter throughout his whole career, punching after the bell, Douglas, smashing a forearm to the face of Spinks, trying to break Bothas arm, biting Kevin Mcbride, he consistently smashed Ruddock in the balls, he was as dirty as the day is long...

He had this wannabe tough guy image, but when the bully met a physically and mentally superior bully in Holyfield, Mikey decided to call it a day and found a way out of the 2nd fight, took his ball and went home to mommy:|:|

 

:happy

 

The difference was whenever Tyson got dirty he got warned or penalized for it. In his bout with holyfield the referees did nothing and completely sided with Holyfield and ruled the headbutts accidental which causes serious damage to Tysons eyes. In such a tense charged match when things like that happen people will snap.