What was the deal with Holyfield and head butting?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MixedMartialLaw, Jul 14, 2022.



  1. young griffo

    young griffo Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tyson never fouled. He also was robbed of a legit KO in Tokyo, was coerced into ear biting, was manipulated by Givens, King et al and was railroaded on the **** charge.

    He's never at fault. Always the aggrieved.
     
  2. populistpugilist

    populistpugilist New Member Full Member

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    Yes. Add to this Tyson's puzzling lack of an inside game for a fighter of his style, and you get instances of when Tyson was stifled. This is visible even at his very best, and we got a forecast of it in the Bonecrusher Smith fight. Of course, Smith had no ability to fight at that range, either, and was just looking to survive -- the very opposite of Holyfield.

    I thought Tyson in the second Holyfield fight looked better than he had in years, and better than he ever would subsequently, i.e., even best-vs-best Holyfield is dangerous to Tyson.

    Once the bravado and finger-pointing wore off, Tyson admitted to Oprah that he bit Holyfield's ear "because I was losing."
     
  3. Glass City Cobra

    Glass City Cobra H2H Burger King Full Member

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    Not just the Smith fight, the Mathis Jr. Fight was very damning. If a rather ordinary, zero punching power Mathis could frustrate Tyson with his inside game, imagine what skilled durable guy like Bowe could do. The peak a boo style wasn't even the problem because we've see Patterson fight on the inside. I think the issue was Cus and Rooney made their entire fight strategy: "hit the guy as hard as you can, fast and early to knock him out". If someone has good defense and/or is very durable, this simply won't work. Especially if they have the size and strength to push Tyson onto the back foot and impose their will.
     
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  4. sauhund II

    sauhund II Boxing Addict Full Member

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    LOL@you

    Tyson fought exactly 1 minute and 29 seconds in F O U R years including being incarcerated before he faced Mathis jr. in his second fight out of the Pen.............

    You are the definition of a armchair pistolero with absolute zero experience. Fact.
     
  5. Pugguy

    Pugguy Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    But (excuse pun), Holyfield did butt other fighters besides Tyson.

    If they weren’t deliberate butts then ‘Vander was certainly , at the least, the common denominator to a number of such head collisions against other fighters of varying styles/accents.

    That Mike committed fouls himself seems to be called in as overweighted defence for, and negation of, the infractions that Evander can be reasonably be accused of having also committed against other opponents.

    Am I wrong?
     
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  6. populistpugilist

    populistpugilist New Member Full Member

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    Not wrong. It does seem as obvious as the two-wrongs-don't-make-a-right rule my grandmother taught me.

    It is hard not to focus on Holy headbutting Tyson, since Tyson used it as an excuse to bite off his freaking ear.
     
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  7. Pugguy

    Pugguy Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Sure, the specific characteristics/dynamic of Holy vs Tyson will always be “part” of the conversation.

    Holyfield lost some of his ear to Mike’s mastication but conversely, Hasim Rahman gained some serious “extra” head by way of Holy’s own ATG chrome dome.

    Dead set made Hasim look like an alien Star Trek character….The Wrath of Rahman…..


    https://www.gettyimages.com.au/deta...is-forehead-due-to-a-broken-news-photo/645291
     
  8. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I have to check out that Flick, but Holyfield created a delectable delicasy other wise known as fried ear with Red Sauce for the romantic at heart. Yummy ! Lol.
     
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  9. Pugguy

    Pugguy Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yes! KFE - Col. Mikey’s favourite dish, prepared with the 11 secret herbs and spices. (read: other assorted body parts) Finger licking good….

    Served with fava beans on the side, drizzled with Holyandaise sauce (the blood of ‘Vander) with a bottle of Chianti to wash it all down with.

    De-Lecter-ble!
     
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  10. Glass City Cobra

    Glass City Cobra H2H Burger King Full Member

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    Show me the fight where Tyson displayed amazing inside fighting skills. I'll wait.

    While you're at it, I'd also like for you to tell me your boxing credentials since you insist on coming after me so many times. Did you ever train with and spar a former light heavyweight champion?
     
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  11. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    What a Dish. Ha, Ha.
     
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  12. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Not to mention Vander's Secret Sauce. Ha Ha !
     
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  13. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic For the honorable cross and the golden freedom Full Member

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    Holyfield has hit heads too often (Rahman, Tyson, Dokes...) for me to think it was all a coincidence.
     
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