Was Mike Tyson right to bite Holyfield?

Is it a rarity in any fighters case? My point is the theory that Tyson lost to anyone that hit him back or stood up to him has been proved to be wrong. I'm sure you didnt mean it in that way though its just the way it looked on the post.

 

Well, Larry Holmes DID hit Tyson, snapped a couple of nice jabs and even (according to Tyson himself) caught him with a hard right early on. Tillis certainly smashed him more than a couple of times, Ruddock landed HARD on him quite a bit in both fights. Mike won all of those bouts. So that "loses when hit back" just doesn't wash for me.

I think the idea that Mike had loads of trouble with people he couldn't intimidate is closer to the truth...but that is far from gospel as well.

 

^
I think Holyfield spooked Tyson because of his confidence. I don’t think not being scared bothered Tyson as much as someone having a blatant belief they could beat him, almost like a lack of respect.

 

I'd say that's accurate. Holyfield bitched out Tyson in that staredown the way no one else ever came close. I think Mike had problems from that point on...Holy lost the obvious regard he had for Mike in that first fight, and made it more than plain to Mike.

I never saw Mike look more punked out than in that stare down. Holy might have basically won the fight right there, he looked as mean (or meaner) than Mike ever did imo.

 

A sensible, insightful and measured Tyson fan? Who'd a thunk it?

The funny thing is Tyson today admits to shortcomings in his character and game that puts him behind legends like Ali for one. It could be false modesty but he seems genuine in his regard for other greats. A lot of his fans can't bring themselves to do the same (clearly you're an exception rski) which is silly if the man himself can.

 

Right.

Just admit you're not a fan of Iron Mike. Unforgiven won't admit it, despite it being blatantly obvious. Be better than Unforgiven. Be a man.

 

Exactly. Great point and it's something I do believe as well with at least post prison Tyson who was expected to walk through Holyfield. Remember the rematch had been postponed from early May 1997 to June 28, 1997. Postponing a fight was Tyson's way of interrupting training camp, and he did this a ton after King took over. The first Bruno fight was to take place in England a couple months after Spinks. That got pushed back to February 1989. Then the cancelled Ruddock bout in Canada in late '89. Then the rematch against Ruddock was put together at the last second after the original postponement. Tyson also did this with Seldon in '96.

Just my 2 cents...

 

Good points and I agree with everything said here. He always went out on his shield, at least until he tore his knee against Danny Williams. And to this day I don't think he was trying to find a way out by biting Holyfield. I believe he snapped and just didn't care anymore and didn't know how to deal with getting butted. It was his way of retaliating and if some people were put in his shoes they might've done something similar. Who knows, but I can relate.

I actually think Douglas beat him up the most. A 10 round shellacking that swelled his eye so bad you could see the damage done 4 months later in the Tillman fight. Holyfield was the first to lump him up and make him bleed and Lewis was able to swell him up and cut him on both eyes.

 

You don't half talk shite, it was an accidental clash of heads you moron. Out of the two bouts it was Tyson who clearly headbutted Holyfield on purpose yet cried when he came off second best.

He knew he was on to another hiding and he flipped, he took the cowards way out and you know it!

 

Admit ? Be a man ? Sangria you are odd. Perhaps borderline paranoid. Tyson was a very good Heavyweight. No more, no less.

 

So he went out on his shield against Kevin McBride did he you complete fantasist?

He couldn't stop McBride so he tried to break his arm, then deliberately head butted him (cutting his eye) got points deducted then quit between rounds in a fight he was ahead in. That's not going out on your shield, thats f*cking the embodiment of turning it up you tosser.

 

Not arguing any of your points other than comparing George's pushing to the serious amount of damage Evander did with headbutts and low blows. While important positionally, in no world is that the same as Evander's elaborate and dirty arsenal.

 

Mike Tyson is an ATG. Hater.

 

Who's saying otherwise you idiot.....

 

Depends how you define All Time Great doesn't it ?