Thomas's last really good performance imo but people only remember the spectacular finish. Thomas CLEARLY wonrounds 3,4,5 after being battered in the beginning. Tyson never experienced a world class fighter taking his best shots and then coming back and taking control of the fight, tyson started excessively clinching to avoid Thomas jab from round 3 onwards and he just looked demoralized and "uncombative" until he finally managed to catch Thomas inround 6 Had Thomas been able to keep it up for 3 more rounds I don't think Tyson would have been mentally able to cope and the mental issues that finally reared their head post prison would have been revealed much sooner. I don't think Tyson would have pulled it off with a different trainer who he trusted and knew as well as rooney. Key moment in Mike's career and the increase in mikes confidence and combativeness was obvious in his next fight vs Tucker where an uppercut lifted him off his feet but he kept coming immediately.
I don't remember Tyson "CLEARLY" winning 3,4,5 but it's been a while. Tyson was cruising on the official cards even if the fight did stagnate somewhat. Definitely a good learning experience as Thomas used his experience well and was extremely durable. Tyson had to maintain patience and really work to land his big shots. People that whine about Tyson being butted against Holyfield need to watch this one again as from memory Tyson's utilized his head quite frequently as the bout slowed.
I agree that Thomas took control and won at least 3 rds, but also believe that Tyson was pacing himself somewhat. Before the last round he said to his corner that Thomas was tiring and went in for the kill in the next round, so I believe Tyson showed maturity in this fight and I don't believe he would have started to fall in part if the fight had continued like that a bit further. In fact, apart from Holy II, I don't think any of his losses when there still was some semblance of life in him was due to mental issues. Douglas, Holy and Lewis just beat him down into the ground. Yes, he could have gotten up against Lewis, but what as the point? He was utterly defeated by then. With that said, Thomas did show that Tyson wasn't some 220 lbs version of peak Duran, that would keep coming with perpetual head movement for every second of very round more or less. A good, long jab could pacify him somewhat for stretches even without a very effective right hand behind it (I think Thomas said his right was injured, and while excuses like that are a dime a dozen his right did seem flat) and not much foot movement.
Great post. I have to agree with you. People like to discuss how easily Tyson beat Thomas but in reality Tyson didn't look wery good in rounds 3-5. He was frustated and somehow it reminded how he looked later in the Douglas fight. I think Thomas clearly won 1 of these rounds, and 2 more were even. This was the 2nd time when Mike overcame adversity in the fight (1st was Tillis fight). Mike has improved after the Tillis fight, and he got better after the Thomas fight too.
I meant Thomas won thosetrounds imo. Especially if you watch them in isolation, seperate from thetbeatings in round 1 and the 6th. Mike doesn't do much at all in those rounds. I gotta agree with the part about the fouls. Mike fouled alot himself and should have been able to deal with Holyfields headbutts. Mike after prison was "just" a good fighter. No longer a great pro.
It was a Good fight for Tyson I reckon. A good learning fight against a excellent fighter. Just a shame it couldn't have been the Thomas of a few short years back. It would have being a lot lot closer and maybe pushed Tyson in to a Douglas type fight with Mike losing confidence. But yep, as I see it ,a good education type fight for Mike at that point.
I´m not so sure about that. Remember Tyson and Thomas doing alot of wrestling and hanging in in those rounds, both not beeing very busy. I see the younger Tyson even before the Berbick fight beeing more busy doing more damage in those "loose" rounds as well.
I do remember Thomas found something after the 1st round. He caught a bit of a groove boxing nicely. Tyson's finishing combo was pretty sick.