Not much difference. I still do not think being smarter would have been any sort of benefit of bothering to listen to the multitude of trainers he had in his corner. Sure don't see him listening much and wants yes men anyway.
Because he was called semi-******ed at high school and I was trying to draw odd people out who agreed with that, Tyson`s boxing IQ was brilliant.
Stop worrying about IQ dude. It's severely overrated. Things like determination and focus will take you further.
Not sure why the consensus seems to be that a higher IQ automatically means he'd start overthinking and overanalyzing everything and that would restrict and impact his fighting ... most of the high-IQ people I know (I pay them to let me hang out with them) are rather quick thinkers in a variety of situations. I know boxing is it's own animal, but still - if he had the other instincts and desires to be a fighter, I don't think being intellectually brilliant would be a handicap ... except, maybe, in allowing the thought that there are better ways to make a living than getting punched in the head. And I can't believe I'm engaging in this, but it's going to be hotter than balls here and I'm staying inside - spt
It wouldn't have made any difference because he weakness were stamina and heart and those things have nothing to with how intelligent you are.
Initially I'd say a higher IQ wouldn't matter as others here stated. Is having a better memory a part of having a higher IQ? If his IQ or memory were significantly higher, he could use it to its fullest potential. I often wondered if it mattered that a boxer could retain how many punches are thrown their way, what type. When RJJ got dropped by Duvalle he asked his corner what did he get dropped with, then asked if it was over or under. If he had a superior memory? Or higher IQ would he have needed to ask? I dunno. Just imagine if Tyson retained: 47 punches were thrown that round, 18 jabs. every4th he steps back. Every overhand he drops his left. He constantly moves 3 steps to the right when I feint. IMO that is a lot to retain. Not sure it would matter, but hey I'm playing along with this thread!
If you guys haven't, read the book 'Iron Ambition: Lessons from the man who made me champ' by Mike Tyson. You'll get some interesting insights about Mike, like how Cus made him read Nietzsche and research Alexander the Great.
