In many ways yes. Physically similar, powerful, lots of head movement. Tyson was heavier and had more punches, better hand speed too. But Frazier had a better motor. Not the same, but similar.
Vitali gave Williams an almighty pasting, the fact that Danny managed to stay upright until the 8th is testament to his chin, and Vitali's kindness. Remind me how many times Williams had visited the canvas ? Bruno never gave anybody fits, he was big, strong, and had heavy hands, ability wise he was pretty awful.
He was beating Smith, Witherspoon and Lewis before being stopped. I mean doesnt Vitali get the same pass for his losses? That he was winning, before he lost? The only guy who ran through him was Tyson. And most importantly, Brunos performance, vs a younger Lewis was much better than Vitalis, vs an old Lewis. But because of the aftermath Vitalis fight with Lewis gets all the accolades.
Fraziers motor is what got him sparked vs Foreman. Tyson fought nothing like Frazier. Frazier style was full speed ahead and bulldoze everything in his way. Tyson (at least at his peak) was an aggressive counter puncher who made his opponents miss and then make them pay.
Tyson watched the Foreman - Frazier fights so many times because it inspired him how often Frazier got up. So when King offered him a fight with Foreman he literally told Don King to **** off and that he would never fight that animal
There is a handful that could... Mike would have a chance against them too though... A fully motivated Tyson was something spectacular, insane speed and head movement, and the way he would put his whole body into punches was something else, frightening power. Not sure he would have ever had it mentally to take on someone like Ali though, who may have beat Tyson before the fight started.
This convo came up and the general consensus seems to be, he is hands down the greatest human specimen we have seen in the ring. I mean, those of us who actually know what kind of person Tyson is, he is very unfiltered and brutally honest. All these new gen boxers taking all kinds of substances... Tyson just ate clean and trained in old school ways to have one of the (ONE OF, not claiming the best, because other boxers had some ridiculous chins) best chins ever, the QUICKEST hw ever (dont even try to argue) power with speed in both hands.... just.... unreal. One big thing that gets overlooked in any sport, or in life for that matter, is the mental aspect. A motivated, go all in on boxing tyson (which was mid to late 80s in the pros) was just unfukwidable. Only fighter that beat Tyson was himself. A lot of you mention foreman. He is a straight bulldozer with an iron chin. But you guys honestly think he can even get a clean shot on Tyson? He couldnt tag Ali at all in his prime. The right hook to the liver followed by a blinding right uppercut that is set up while swaying in unorthodox movement... i dont think anyone can take those punches.
Good post. :good Welcome to ESB, btw. One minor nitpick: it would be the left hook on the liver (which is located on your opponent's right side) - landing a solid right on the liver would be some feat.
If Bruno could land that left hook and hurt him, what would have happened if it was Foreman who landed it ? Prime Tyson faced good, but not great opposition, and thus never really had to dig deep. We will never know if Tyson was able to overcome shaky moments vs great fighters. Hamed too looked sensational for a while against good opposition, just as impressive as Tyson. What would have happened had he met Barrera at that time ?....
Thanks, been lurking quite a bit, finally decided to register. These forums are similar to insidehoops, hardcore fans with all out trolling. I feel at home. I always felt that two athletes that were ridiculously dominant are th3 ones who underachieved the most, which leaves so many 'what if' scenarios. Shaq, 00-02, peak for peak was the greatest basketball player to step foot on the court. People list him one of the top centers of all time and most have him in theur top 20 list. However, with proper work ethic and a will to win, he could have been the absolute hands down undisputed #1 baller ever. Tyson is similar, just what if that gold digging ***** didnt take away his prime years, and if he had a camp and management that wanted to motivate and bring the best out of him...
Or maybe, Tyson simply OVERACHIEVED ? Prime Tyson had a level of energy impossible to sustain over the long haul. It's not so much the ladies who did him in, but the substance abuse he certainly took, and whose evidence is just surfacing now.
Im referring to the false **** charge that landed him in prison. You absolutely smoking that crazy shiit if you think going to prison during the absolute prime years somehow helped him