If there ever was a modern day "Tyson" it would have been Juan Diaz. "Baby bull" fought at times with his hands up, moving forward, bobbing his head, ducking and weaving while throwing explosive counters. He too was a master of conditioning to do that for 12 rounds. In the fight with Billy the kid Irwin, he stopped him with a tko and a busted eardrum. Baby bull was a lot of leather throwing volume puncher who would "swim" to help his athleticism. I know it sounds cliche but it was once said Juan Diaz was one of the most conditioned athletes in the world. Once he got cut he went for blood. Just like vs jmm. Foty candidate back in the day. He sure was a swarmer! And then now days you get Alan Babic. A crude Mike Tyson wannabe lol. Entertaining but a poor man's version of the iron man.
What is important is that Peek-a-Boo starts as a great DEFENSIVE tool. In other words, a way to get close WITHOUT getting hit. The thing I love about it is that it gets fighters all the way in to their opponent - with their opponent off balance - and then BAM!! I wish there were more fighters using it today. And no - Tyson types are not the only ones who could benefit from it. Suits all shorter or av-height fighters in any era.
Think tysons a bad example of needing to be tip top in his fitness for it to be effective. It is definetely a high energy style but you could coast with it in fights as well. Tyson certainly did. The example used in tyson tho is of a guy who started not training properly and lived his life worse than most amatuers. Drink and drug problems. Stopped training for the style etc. I still say if it was a case of slowing down the training he,d still have been effective with it. Just not when your living like an addict...and taking weeks off training at a time. Not training for the style tho. That was the big problem more than just slacking off cus,s overwhelming schedule.
Floyd Patterson is the prototype Tyson. Both peek -a- boo Cus trained heavyweight champs. Tyson was more physically gifted than Patterson. Though Patterson had pretty quick hands himself. He uses the same shifts and slips while coming forward.
its a style ideal for hookers. you can roll in and out of leveraged positions. so the momentum of your rolling and dipping actually propels your hooks with more force and leverage.
Patterson was very succesful in ams too: Olympic Gold medalist. approx 190 lber. Tyson yeah, was more stocky and with better legs, while Patterson's hands were a bit faster for sure. Tyson faded not because style, he had faded with any style. Tyson was very diligent and hardworking, then when he get rich and was famous, he get a lot friends and " friends ". Like simple things usually happens when someone does have a lot $$$. Partying, drinking etc. Tyson changed his team ( split with Rooney ) and he paid them pretty well. Of course people better prefer to be YES man and get nice paychecks. He didn't had anyone anymore who might tell him harsh words, to afford motivate him.
