I think prime Mike Tyson could have dominated the early 1970's heavyweight scene

Tyson never got off the deck to beat anyone. Every fighter ends up there at some point, some have that little extra bit of desire to get up and win. Mike wasn't one of them.

 

I think people are forgetting that this isnt a simple case of h2h and who'd beat who 1v1.

Tyson has to remain on top for the entire era and he wasnt able to do that in his own era (which was an ok or good era but not great).

Sure 1 vs 1 at his best, he'd he a handful for Foreman, Frazier, Ali, etc. Might even win some of those fights. But Tyson lacked the style and mental fortitude to stay disciplined in an era full of badasses who were all hard working gym rats looking to tear his head off if given the chance. There was no ducking or multiple belts to hide behind and you fought often in this era.

Tyson wins some big fights and makes a name for himself but at some point somebody would catch him slipping or just straight up beat him and he fizzles out like he did on his own era.

Again, I must stress the point that Tyson certainly has a chance of being competitive with any fighter at his best but we're talking about the real world.

 

It would be interesting to see prime Iron Mike Tyson vs prime 1960's fighters, if someone would post it.

 

Message Mark Ant, he'll do it for you if you want.

 

If the 3 kd rules in place yes, It's probably over for Joe early. I wouldn't put it past Joe though to keep on getting up, he had an insane fighting heart. But I agree, against Tyson he'd really have to a little luck on his side if he gets tagged early on.

 

Maybe Tyson gets caught first as he did with Bruno

 

I think Mike is at least one of the most explosively powerful fighters in boxing. Not the same as Foreman (falling refrigerator) and not quite as explosive as Earnie (the atom bomb). Mike was more like a heavy whiplash. Amazingly effective, and a heck of a lot of fun to watch.

George and Joe (and Larry, if we throw him in though he's not part of the topic) very well might get put down, but they would get up and fight back as hard as he can. Mike...he goes down, it's over. Big difference.

Ali wouldn't have gone down. The 60s Ali would have laughingly outpointed Mike (he just moved way too fast), the 70s would be a MUCH better fight. Mike would probably get stopped ala Lyle 11th round (and yeah, I know Mike was a MUCH better fighter, but I personally thought Ron had at least as good a heart as Mike).

 

I've been saying this for yrs regarding Joe. Some people are just to stupid to put it together about Joe.

 

Every fighter with the exception of Foreman who knocked Frazier down went on to lose. On the other hand, Tyson NEVER got up to win a fight (most of the time he never got up period). You really can't compare their chins or heart.

 

TBH I think Lyle would've beaten Tyson. By no means is he a better fighter but the styles favor him. He would've turned it into a situation similar to Foreman-Lyle in which both hit the canvas. Unfortunately for him, Tyson hasn't Foreman's chin, power, nor heart.

 

Ruddock flooring Foreman is laughable.

 

Since Rooney wasn't a trainer then Mike would do well to break into the top 10.