Buster Douglas interview on Mike tyson

Great clip.

 

I think Tyson showed heart in Holy I as well.

 

Mike certainly took his whooping like a man in that fight

 

I think it was more the rematch. I think that was the first time he was well prepared but in the ring with a guy that just had the better of him.

 

Yeah, those headbutts discouraged him. Tyson had never been cut before (sans the Holyfield 1 fight) and never as early as the 2nd round.

 

My guess is that felt he'd lose the fight, no excuses, and found a way out. Only a guess, but I've seen him say that in at least one interview. Of course, he has said before that it was head butts, so it's what you find most believable.

 

I actually believe it's both. Tyson was afraid Mills Lane wasn't paying attention, thus getting discouraged and saying "**** it".

 

Holyfield brought the dog out in Tyson, once it arose it never hid it's face........

 

I think Mike had a false sense of confidence going into Holyfield 1. He had won all of his fights since his release from prison with ease. With the headbutts and losing the fight in Holyfield 2 he panicked and tried to get out the easiest way out possible. After that boxing was just a job for Mike.

 

I wonder what would have happened if he never gone to jail and received the same treatment from Holy in 91-92 instead.

 

If that had happened, Holyfield would rightfully be declared the better heavyweight prime vs prime. As it stands now, it is really just speculation. Not all great fighters have longevity. The difference between 1988 Tyson and 1997 Tyson is far more vast than the difference between 1991 Holyfield and 1997 Holyfield. In fact, some aspects of Holyfield's heavyweight game had actually improved by 1997. (Ring IQ, size, punching power were all better.) Absolutely every facet of Tyson's game (with the possible exception of power) had dramatically plummeted by the time these two excellent fighters finally met.

 

I don't agree with this and it certainly wasn't the view at the time.

 

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I was at that fight (as well as all of the post prison Tyson fights), and, Mike was having trouble from fighters like Buster Mathis Jr. This would have never happened to the Tyson from 1988/. With the exception of Bruno, his timing was awful. And he was clearly not mentally/physically ready for a full 12 rounds of battle. Hell, Mike was breathing heavy after only two rounds against Holyfield. There was nothing prime about Tyson at that point.