Do you consider Mike Tyson as a high IQ fighter?

Pugguy · Jan 20, 2025

JohnThomas1 said: ↑

I don't have a problem with any of your points DP.

As i hinted and you underlined a guy like Tyson is very limited in what he has available. The question i ask you, after our point filled posts, is this - do you consider him a high IQ fighter?

I know, it's a loaded question. I'm partial to just how deplorable his condition was in Tokyo, while at the same time acknowledging a great performance by Douglas.

It's extremely hard for him to show high IQ, and he probably didn't.

Again tho, within his own physical constraints he showed high IQ in some fights, but that was invariably initiated by sage corner advice by Kevin Rooney. He helped him emerge from a mini rut vs Thomas, and he helped him stay patient and pace himself perfectly against Holmes among other decent efforts. I guess Tyson was a reasonably high IQ fighter, but with Rooney in his corner. Of course that's not comparable IQ to Ali completely ignoring Dundee's plea's to get off the ropes vs Foreman and instead going with his own instinctual genius. It's pretty impressive when you can not only disregard Dundee, but do exactly what he is screaming for you not to do.......and be better off LOL

I must say i am not one that says Tyson was invincible with Rooney and all that, but the most underrated benefit Rooney gave him is the tactical focus and between rounds advice. He was finely tuned to Tyson's style and psyche.

Tyson didn't overly overdo the headhunting with Rooney whilst he often did without him which is an obvious minus to Tyson's IQ IMO.
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Just on Ali, he also had to contend with Dundee cornering stable mate Jimmy Ellis instead of his own good self when he he and Jimmy fought. Ali was probably THE most autonomous fighter/ATG in the history of boxing - perhaps Jack Johnson could be considered on par.

JohnThomas1 · Jan 20, 2025

Pugguy said: ↑

Just on Ali, he also had to contend with Dundee cornering stable mate Jimmy Ellis instead of his own good self when he he and Jimmy fought. Ali was probably THE most autonomous fighter/ATG in the history of boxing - perhaps Jack Johnson could be considered on par.
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Yeah Ali hardly needed Dundee once he got cracking. He rarely listened to him anyway. He'd be right around the top for sure Pugs.

Edit- RJJ would be very similar. The pair had so much god given talent and they fought their own very individual way as well. When you got a bloke like James Toney struggling to win a round you know his opponent's got it going on.

GRIFFIN · Feb 7, 2025

He had great skill and knew how to use it but he showed trouble adapting during fights especially when he was in trouble.

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Do you consider Mike Tyson as a high IQ fighter?

Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

JohnThomas1 VIP Member

GRIFFIN "Speak softly and carry a big punch" Full Member

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Do you consider Mike Tyson as a high IQ fighter?

Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

JohnThomas1 VIP Member

GRIFFIN "Speak softly and carry a big punch" Full Member