Would Mike Tyson Be Simply Too Small, To Be Successful Now?

If using PEDs is cheating, then they're all cheats. Lighter weight classes included.

We need to be realistic. PEDs exist in damn near every sport these days, barring obvious niche sports like darts or pool where it's not required at all.
And by existing, I mean it's rife.

If kids in High school and college are juicing for rugby, American Football etc. does it really seem surprising that when money and livelihoods are on the line, fighters and other sportsmen/women are on gear too?
Go to any commercial gym near you. Within days, you'll find a guy peddling gear. It's not even hush-hush anymore. I've been to about a dozen gyms over the years, and never have I NOT encountered a thriving steroid culture. It's everywhere. And it's everywhere in sports too. Top to bottom.

We can talk about morals, ethics, fairness and health risks, but honestly from a boxing perspective, we're talking about guys that beat the crap out of each other.
Health risks are least on their minds.

If you stand to lose hundreds of thousands, or millions of dollars because one guy is juicing and you're not... well guess what. It's their livelihood. They'll take whatever edge they can get. They'll win at any cost.

 

A very good not great flyweight

 

Bowe could have beaten way more ATGs than those you mentioned.

 

The connection between Alzado's death and steroids has been discredited.

 

Only in the minds of fans born after 1990.

 

Tyson beat big heavyweights. 6-4 +. Tyson had the ability to both slip on the way in and c!ose distance. The body always an inviting target. A great one like The Big Dog? He's gonna give Mike a tough evening. He size along with a good balance of other ingredients.

 

Tyson would be troubled by Joshua's size, it'd make it more difficult to step over AJ after Mike sends him to never ,never land.

 

Great honest post, it is just too many cheaters around, I feel as though I am watching some sort of cartoon when I see those Goliaths, I know that some of them got their size from a syringe, and these youngsters fall for it, amazing.

 

LOL!

 

If he had been 3 and 1/2 inches taller and he hadnt encountered Desiree Washington he would have been the GOAT imo.

 

He handled Tucker ok! all 6.5 of him . Bowe and Lewis would be tough but that's the case for any HW. AJ ? Do me a favour !!!

 

The problem with those "stats" are that many of Wlad's opponents (through no fault of his own) feasted on bums for 15-20 fights then they beat a few "name" journeymen, maybe 1 contender, then fight in an "eliminator" before getting a shot at the title. In other words, brought along very carefully by their managers/promoters.

In many era's you had to fight other contenders to get a title shot, not getting around it. It's easy to look at the numbers and be impressed with how many opponents were "undefeated' or had only 1-2 losses while glossing over the fact so many guys only fight 1-2x a year and rarely fight each other unless they have no choice. The irony bring the champions are often more active than contenders and rookies who should be putting in the work.

Also I don't recall ever seeing you gush over Louis or Holmes long reigns. They didn't have the most glamorous opponents but they were at least active and fighting each other to see who was actually the best.

 

Thanks man.
It is just that some of these giants did 8not* get their size from a syringe, & absent good evidence, you cannot know.
There is sometimes overwhelming circumstantial evidence, such as too rapid growth after a guy is already fairly bulky, or getting bigger than is likely natural for their frame...

But know that it is not rare for a well trained large athlete, using science & good nutrition...
To get to be the size of a Lewis or Klitchko.

So while some of them may have used anyway, being say ~ 6 & a 1/2' tall & still being lean while weighing in the 240's does not tell you anything.