Do you think tysons style could be used in late-career?

we all know that defensive fighters have long careers.
james toney, ali, hopkins etc.

but do you think mike tyson could of fought on in his 40's had he kept rooney, had he not messed up, and had he not bulked up?

tyson was a defensive master! it was hard for 6'5 fighters to hit him with a jab! i watched some of tysons fights when he was older against the likes of that dane fighter n lennox lewis. and i noticed he did occassionally slip the punches effortlessly.

which made me question, if tyson could keep up that headmovement (which he could) and not get caught on the outside, get inside and where his younger opponents down with his power? similar to what big foreman used to do.

i think tyson could have had he not got so mentally weak.

 

Tyson was more one dimensional than your examples, he knew one way to fight. I don't think he could have had a REALLY long career at the top regardless of your scenario sorry.

 

No.

He'd need the razor sharp reflexes and explosiveness that he had as a young man, and older guys just don't have that.

Maybe he could have modified his style somewhat, but his lack of height and reach would have proved hard to overcome as he got older.

 

Foreman's advantage over Tyson as an older fighter is that he was taller, with a broader heavier frame (and lower centre of gravity), and had really worked hard on both maintaining a good guard and utilizing a long thudding jab.

Tyson as an older fighter really didn't use his jab enough, and was still trying to bob 'n' weave instead of working on properly parrying and blocking. He simply didn't have the same youthful stamina needed for both that movement and for his trademark flurries, at least not in the same consistancy.

He could still do some of the same things, but not for long...and he never properly evolved his fighting style as he got older to compensate. It would've always been a difficult task anyway in comparison, with his shorter arms and height, but he could've done better for longer.

Mike was still trying to fight in his early 30s as if he was in his early 20s.

 

Ever tried copying the style yourself in the gym. No problem whemn your young with a supple back. When I tried again in early to mid 30s it was almost impossible.

 

Actually, it's the other way around.

Foreman in his prime was 6'4 (sometimes listed as 6'3, but he's clearly taller than Ali and Norton who are 6'3) and little below 220lbs.

Mike Tyson is 5'11 and around 216lbs. He weighs nearly the same but is a lot shorter; he has the wider frame.


But yeah, Tyson's defence depends a lot on reflexes, conditioning and speed. None of which he'd have at age 40 and there's a damn thing Rooney could do about that.

 

why couldnt tyson keep his reflexes at 40 when hopkins could or moore could or other older fighters like qawi

 

He could've been effective, but not nearly as much so.

For him to keep his excellent defense tight as he got older he would have to abandon alot of his combination punching and rely more on his guard. He could do it, but he wouldn't be quite the offensive machine he was in his younger days.

 

well hopkins isnt talented he is flat footed(clinicaly), has a very untidy guard little headmovment is very herky jerky...but he trains so well and is so expereinced that talent and abililty was thrown out the window becuase his advantage in expereince, willeyness and abillity to bring and execute a fight plan consitantly.

tyson on the other hand based his whole fighting prowess on being small but quick and agile with dinamite in his hands with super fast combo's. later on he depended on being an aggresive whirlwind fighter throwing pucnhes non stop form different angles

this is very diferrent from hopkins. hopkins has adapted his style to fit his hieght and reach expereince and right hand power.

 

Also don't forget that Hopkins turned pro later and has lived a very clean life since he started. I've heard a story where he was out for dinner with a promotor or somebody and refused his steak because it had red wine sauce on it. Thats dedication.

 

Mike Tyson had a lot, and may still have, fast twitch muscle fibers. They burn out quicker than the other fibers. He uses a lot in the early rounds. That is why it looks like he was willing to coast after the first several rounds even when he was younger.

He still had the reflexes, he was just shot after a few rounds. The only way he could do it would be to back off the effort on some of his punches, and pace himself in that regard. That is hard to do, because he knows that is what makes him intimidating.

 

In addition to what the others said, Tyson lived a ****ed up lifestyle. Drugs, partying, ****ed up mentality. It takes its toll on the body quickly.

 

Well, I was meaning the older Foreman...the big 250-odd pound dreadnaught, not the prime version. Though point taken.

 

lol:rofl

the reason why he refused the steak WITH RED WINE sauce on it is cos he is a muslim, absolutely nuttin to do with his training!yep

 

Hopkins is muslim? Show me the source that said that