When did Tyson's prime end?

My point wasn' that Tyson was out of his prime when he fought douglass just that he wasn' top of his game for it. His prime ended after fighting ruddock

 

It's consistency that tells us when a fighter has it all together....but as you say fighters sometimes run hot and cold and in this case the period of his most consistent top performance....hot and cold is the mind portion of a prime....some fighters can only define their prime with 1 performance...myself it was a stretch in which it all clicked I never got their again.

 

Tyson was at his peak with Rooney

His prime ended when he went to prison

For Douglas he wasn't at his peak, wasn't training, wasn't focused or prepared mentally or physically

That's how I see it

 

1992 when he was imprisoned.

 

It IS a shame, he was a force of nature. He still left a major mark on the division and it's history.

I think if he stayed on track Holyfield and Lewis would've always been bad for him. Also reckon fit versions of Witherspoon and Mercer could have been bad nights for him too.

 

Tyson was not past his prime for Douglas. You could say he past his prime some time after he was released from Prison. Maybe the Neilsen fight when was 35 in 2001.

 

Tyson himself said he knew he was done as far as he peaked ...

" The second I stepped out of the ring after Spinks I knew it was downhill from there "

This statement is very telling where he was going mentally.

Anyone who actually studies Tyson would detect the subtle things he stopped doing which made him that much better.

 

Would that be considered his peak, or his prime?

I agree with the status quo - Tyson was still physically prime age wise when he entered prison. But skills wise he hadn't been the same since destroying Spinks in 91 seconds.

It's glaring. As clear as day. Anyone who argues otherwise are either misinformed or hating. Or blind. Or ignorant. Or trolling.

 

Mercer? I see where you're coming from. But I'm sure Mike would work his body overtime if Ray's chin didn't go. Ray is standing right in front of Mike.

Witherspoon would be tough as hell too, but I think he's going out in the same fashion as Pinklon Thomas did. Somewhere around the 5th-7th rounds.

I agree Holyfield and Lewis would be difficult as well.

 

Ones peak is ones prime. Prime has nothing to do with age , that's a misconception BC the definition of prime is when one is at peak performance. FACTS...and a hard one for the Tyson detractors.

 

I'm not picking these guys over him but wouldn't pick Tyson over them with any confidence either. Although I'd favour him.

Mercer's chin ain't going nowhere. As for Mercer standing infront of him...agreed. But I don't see that as a weakness for Ray I see it as a strength in this matchup.

As for Spoon, I don't see Mike stopping him at all. Especially in 6. I can see Witherspoon frustrating Tyson if he gets his a jab going and ties him up in close similar to Tucker and Smith. Not in fear like those guys but with calm. Always felt Tim was a potential banana skin for Mike.

 

Physical Prime has nothing to do with age?

 

Nope.

 

I know your name on here but can't remember your craic. Bit personal but how old are you.

 

43.