This fight to me is the epitome of how important psychology is in boxing, and is the blueprint for what Evander, and most other top level, mentally tough guys would have done against Tyson in prime-for-prime matches. Mike's prime was paved by opponents scared shitless of him. Granted, he was better than all of them too, but almost none of those guys actually believed they could win. Larry Holmes was an exception but he was old and hadn't fought in nearly two years. A few other guys tried but they didn't have the talent to really do anything Tyson fanatics like to say Mike wasn't in his prime when this happened, but like to leave out that Evander had been completely written off after his losses to Bowe and his lackluster performance against Bobby Czyz '90-91 Holyfield does the same thing to Tyson if that fight had actually taken place. Prime Lewis, prime Ali, prime Foreman, they would all break Tyson mentally. Unlike the opponents that Tyson beat on his way up, these men would absolutely not be afraid of him. Out people listed as ATG's, I can't think of one who was weaker mentally than Tyson. I don't mean to rip on Mike but the fact of the matter is that he wasn't as mentally tough as most of the great heavyweights
I think Leonard-Hagler, Ali-Foreman and Clay-Liston are all better examples of psychology in boxing, with Leonard-Hagler being the Queen Bee of boxing mind****s out there...
All good examples, I was just using this one because it pertained to Tyson, who was the subject of a recent (and very long) debate about fantasy matchups in the heavyweight division
I think Tyson is given far less credit because he had a mental break down in the Holyfield fight. By the time that fight happen he had already been beaten which does a lot to your overall mentality. Just saying that to point out the his air of invencibility had been removed. Prime to prime he would have been a much tougher customer for Holyfield I don't believe he would have beat Holyfield but his chance would be better. I don't think there is one fighter out there that is the same after they have been beat. Some are better most are worse, when the self dout creeps in it changes a fighter. To end this rant I don't think you can rate Tyson on his performances after Douglas. He was defintely a changed fighter.
And in turn, I'd nominate Tyson-Biggs, Tyson-Spinks, Tyson-Bruno II and Tyson-Seldon as being great examples of psychology in favour of Tyson. Some people seem to almost want to write off a psychological edge. Like if you point out Tyson had Spinks terrified it's "cheating" or something, they get very defensive about suggestions it was Tyson's aura that did most of the work some times. Ridiculous! You use whatever you have to get whatever advantage you can get, and building up that aura with physical appearence and displays is all part of that. It's every bit as important as the punches thrown and not to be undervalued and 'excused' like that.
Tyson was already broken mentally outside of the ring at that point. He simply wasn't 'Iron Mike' anymore.
