Would Tyson have become world champ so quickly in another era ?

How many classic champions would absolutely obliterate everyone before Berbick, like Tyson did, to get the shot so young?

 

Prime Tyson would just maim everyone like he did at the time. Too quick, Too strong ,too many combo's, a lot of head movement and ferociousness. I fancied him on that day to beat anyone ever.

 

Maybe nowadays but thats it. Tyson was somewhat of a media darling when he first came about, and rightly so. He was exciting talented and great to watch, he also came across as a nice kid in interviews.

In days previous to the 80s i dont think he would have gotten the chance after 20 months as a pro, ok, Leon did (radamacher too)but maybe that was also due to his gold medal too (i dont know,im guessing)? But thats not to say he could not have beaten some of the older champs, i just dont think he woulda got the chance and that the media saturation of the sport in the mid 80s,along with being the breath of fresh air that he was at the time, all came together perfectly for him.

 

It obviously depends on how soon he got the title shot and who he matched up against ... against all but a very few the answer is yes.

 

No one really considers Trevor Berbick one of the real world heavyweight champions in history.

Tyson wasn't really the world champion until he beat Michael Spinks in 1988.

 

Im sure they took into consideration who the champ was. If Spinks was the champ it wouldnt have made a difference. Holmes probably.

 

What do you mean ?
Who are "they" ?

 

Jacobs and Cayton. They brought Tyson along pretty well.

 

Joe Louis had already beaten Carnera, Levinsky, Baer and Uzcudun 17 month into his career. Quite better than what Mike did.

 

Yeah, they sure did.
They were negotiating a Holmes-Tyson fight in 1986 but chose the Berbick/title/unification route instead.
I always figured they valued the title more and figured Tyson could beat Witherspoon and Spinks too at the time. I do wonder if they respected Holmes' ability to maybe upset Tyson at that time too, in hindsight.

 

After seeing Mitch Green slap at him and survive for 10 rounds and Tillis pretty much do the same, Im sure they did think long and hard about Holmes. Tyson improved quite a bit from the Berbick to Tucker fight in my opinion.

 

It depends.
Fighters like Jack Johnson and Jack Dempsey were still toiling in obscurity 20 months into their professional careers, but they didn't have the preparation, grooming, training and management Tyson had enjoyed BEFORE he even turned pro.
You can throw in a lot of "classic champions" who would be in the same category, still learning their craft, and liable to lose to a Berbick while they learn.

A 1962 Ali probably beats Berbick. But would it be easy ?
A 1935 Louis definitely beats Berbick, probably in a manner as devastating as Tyson did.
The young Foreman who beat Chuvalo and Peralta probably beats Berbick.
A 1966/'67 Frazier would beat Berbick.
Holyfield of 1987 was probably ready to beat heavyweights like Berbick, even at 188 pounds, but it wouldn't be easy.

Holmes, 20 months into his career ? I don't know.
Lewis, of early-mid-'91, who beat Gary Mason and ancient Weaver ?

Berbick was a strong, experienced fighter, reasonably durable. You don't just throw a guy in with him on talent or potential alone. Berbick's something of a test. Great fighters become great by passing a lot of tests, but sometimes they lose on the way up too.

 

yes no doubt about it:yep:think

 

For a start Berbick had just turned 32, so adding another two years to his age was a rather odd move.
Secondly, he'd came off an impressive 12 round UD with Pinklon Thomas that same year, & I think he would have given quite a few young, green champions quite some trouble, with his decent boxing/brawling skills & durability.