Just rewatched Tyson v Berbick and could actually see Tyson biting down while putting everything in his shots, he didn`t seem to do that v Holy but a lot of posters here take the Holy fights into account when disussing Mike`s power, are they wrong?
I wish Tyson would hit you with the right hand he dropped Holmes with. Maybe you'd wake up with more boxing knowledge.
I believe he did. Boxing is mostly mental and Mike Tyson was a motivated man on a mission against Berbick. He was going to win the belt or die trying. He had a game plan, committed fully and let his hands fly. Tyson wasn’t the same when he faced Holyfield even stating in his autobiography that he heard Holyfield had heartbeat and stamina issues in training camp and therefore didn’t train as hard nor was he the same machine after prison.
Mark, I think that Mike Tyson landed more punches on Trevor Berbick, on Nov 22 1986, than he did against Holyfield, in both fights.
Holyfield got tagged a few times. Immediately after the opening bell Tyson lands a straight right and Holyfield got stunned big time. But that woke him up. Then in the 5th we saw some vintage Tyson, and agains at the beginning of the 6th but then something happened. The headbutts started connecting and Tyson bled for the first time in his career. Then a few low blows that Mitch Halpern couldn't quite see hit their target. One more step and blam! Holyfield caught Tyson in the huevo vices!
Tyson's balance and footwork was never the same after prison. It had a lot to do with why Holy was able to push him back so easily. A prime Tyson would have been able to pivot off of Holy's clinch/push attempts.
Yes, he got stunned big time. Geezus bro! It woke him up immediately, his feet almost fell out from under him and he flew back to the ropes. Watch it again pud. He got S T U N N E D.
The right that put old man Larry down? Meh. Shavers hit him harder. Now, the punch that made Trevor Berbick turn into a cross eyed caterpillar? WOW, unbelievable shot!!!
I think Mike was really psyched by all the people being sure he'd knock the yee-haw out of Holy in the first fight. When Holy proved his championship heart early on Mike lost the ferocity he showed in spades in the 80s. He didn't seem like the same fighter. That said, Holy and Mike were both past their primes, Mike probably a bit more so (though let's face it, Mike couldn't have been TOO much past his prime, he was the champ).
