Imn not sure on this. i know when he was an amateur he showed a lack of confidence but When did he ever show any self doubt from 1985-1991? All those sensational wins as an amateur and pro must of helped his confidence big time Buster douglas was smashing up an out of shape tyson like a punch bag but he still kept on coming? It just wasnt his night though it nearly was in the 8th The defeat never affected his performaces against Tillman, Steward and Ruddock. He still had that aura of invincibility about him (though he was a lot more technically flawed) Chavez and Roberto Duran showed a lack of belief in there post prime fights but no one ever holds it against them like they do with Tyson When you get old old and start losing interest and ability, you must lose a lot of belief. Mikes lack of stamina from not preparing properly for a fight must of affected his confidence in a crisis is well We will never know
He didn't lack self belief. You don't become the top fighter in the world so quickly if you don't believe in yourself. He was prone to frustration though. He was a bit sensitive, a bit temperamental.
AGREED - Xpert post. :deal Tinfoil Tyson was v.prone to frustration IMO - i made a BIG list of fights he got Frustrated in - Fergusson Tillis Smith Thomas Tucker Bruno 1 Douglas McNeeley Manthis JR Holyfeild 1 Holyfield 2 Botha Nielsen Lenny Danny MCbide
Xpert point m8. thumbsup This happened in EVERY one of his 6 losses AND in lots of teh fights i listed were he had v.bad FRUSTRATION. :deal Foreman Hoooooooooook!:hat
You again?:rasta Anyways, I think it has to do more with fear. Everyone has a certain amount of fear when competing at any level of any sport. And everyone has a bit of craziness about them, some are just better at hiding it than others. Tyson wore his heart on his sleeve. The camera was on him 24/7 and he performed on the biggest stage several times and passed with flying colors. Unforgiven mentioned in an earlier post above that Tyson was frustration prone and indeed he was. This has nothing to do with lack of self belief.
He didn't lack self belief, he was very confident, as he should have been. But he wasn't bloody minded, there was flexability with his mindset,where as certain fighters (rarely) are completely rigid with their outlook. Ali and Marciano being two that spring to mind. He wasn't a stubborn in the trenches type of person, he had a similar personality to Foreman.