Could Tyson box off the backfoot/standing up?

Tyson could fight with his back to the ropes, but his style isn't very effective moving backwards. That's not really an issue for him though, considering there's probably no one out there who could back a peak Mike Tyson up, except maybe a young George Foreman.

Your right though, that Tyson's style works best against traditional boxers like Lewis, Holmes, etc.

As for Tyson v Holyfield ... Holyfield is a bad style matchup for Mike, period. Which isn't to say Tyson couldn't beat him. Tyson was pretty far gone in 96' .. but a peak Tyson v Holyfield fight would be pretty interesting.

 

Could he box on the backfoot? Probably, he had a good jab and good head movement but the man is also 5'11. He'd be giving up his reach most of the time and why box on the backfoot when he has that combination arsenal that made him famous. Not to mention that Holyfield showed more boxing(on the back foot) ability in just the second Bowe fight alone then in all of Tyson's career. Prime for prime I'd still take Tyson but he'd have to fight using the style that made him the baddest man on the planet.

 

Why ask the question if he could dance or move on the backfoot?

Tyson never ever did.

So it is proven that he could not.

The only time he danced in a fight is when he was rocked then got KO'd.

 

Tyson was absolutely shot to **** against Lewis.

 

after 1990 he couldnt. He had an amazing jab in the late 80's, and used it well against fighters much taller than him. Could he box backing up, not really, but then again that was never his style. He showed a little boxing savvy in the Holmes fight, because he was forced to move around and jab with Holmes.

 

No, he was never any kind of boxer. Was always strictly one-dimensional, and as said, that was why he was so thoroughly dominated in his losses to Douglas, Holyfield, etc.

Would he have done better against them if he could box? I suppose so, but then he'd be a totally different fighter.

 

What a ****in idiot.

 

you obviously know nothing about Tyson. He was a fantastic boxer. He outboxed tony tucker, and numerous other tall, lanky opponents. Learn before you speak.

 

**** off shitbag. If you don't have anything to contribute to a thread, then stay the **** out.

 

No he didn't, he fought and beat them in his usual come-forward pressing style.

 

I think people are getting away from the question. Tyson did show good boxing ability however it was always going forward. He's a skilful attacking fighter so no he never showed any ability to fight on the backfoot.

 

No, Tyson's build is too short for that. He could box off the back foot, but against those giant 80's heavyweights, he'd have to take 3 steps back just to get back out of range after landing a jab.

 

tyson outjabbed tony tucker, and yes outboxed him. You have no idea what your talking about.

Just because he comes forward, doesn't mean he can't box. I can show you numerous examples of Tyson outboxing opponents.