Bruno v Tyson 2. Frank crossed himself 50 times on his way to the ring and was visibly rattled before he’d even got in there. And he was the champion.
Quite a few of Louis challengers I would have thought, in particular Johnny Paycheck, remarked one scribe at ringside " have you ever seen a ghost walking " sort of sums up. stay safe guys.
Michael Spinks. He was so scared to fight Tyson to where his corner had to physically drag him out of the locker room. Not only that but as I understand it, after he got knocked out he actually quit boxing. He was just that affected by Tysons intimidating aura. Tyson really was a monster back then. The man terrified practically everyone who stepped into the ring with him and those who weren't often got thoroughly destroyed anyways.
On a side note about my pick of the Tyson - Bruno rematch, I watched that live on TV in the UK. Listening to the Sky commentary team beforehand, they managed to embarrass themselves in their echo chamber (with the notable exception of Barry McGuigan) that it would be a one-sided win for Bruno because he’d gained 14lbs since the last fight. If you didn’t follow boxing, you’d have no idea that Tyson was a big favorite going in. They didn’t have much to say afterwards.
Another Tyson one….Bruce Seldon. So terrified that he hit the deck from a right cross that flew over his head.
Holyfield intimidated Tyson so badly with the beating he dished out in their first fight that for the rematch, Mike went on a hunger strike in training that left him so malnourished that he entered the ring in the same state as a starving man in one of those they-ended-up-having-to-eat-each-other canabalistic plane crash movies. Proof: He tried to eat Holyfield’s ears. I’ll take my emoji when you please, @cross_trainer.
I’m sure I read a Q&A IV with Michael Spinks leading into the Tyson fight in which he expressed clear fears re injury and permanent damage in boxing. More or less stating the risk wasn’t worth it. I can’t recall if he related it exactly to the upcoming fight with Tyson but I think it was obvious as to who and what was bringing these thoughts into acute focus.
There was a ref that did a lot of fights in my area when I was growing up, Henry Brown, who was wise to the ways men sometimes quit. If he sensed a man was taking the easy way out, he’d count 1-9 and then do the hand motion for 10 without saying it out loud and if the guy bounced right up (like they sometimes do and then argue the stoppage knowing they waited so it would be called), he’d just grab their gloves and wipe them off and wave the fight to continue. Saw him do that one a few times. You could see the look in the face of the guy who thought he was in for an easier night. Sometimes they’d knuckle down and end up going the distance, haha.
Alas, but your post brought back the memory of Henry Brown from my younger days and a smile to my face, so thanks for that!