How Was Holyfield Viewed As a Contender From 1988-1990?

This fool set his face like flint against the whole damn neighborhood and -proclaimed- that Holyfield would beat Tyson since 1989. And proceeded to collect a hearty amount of money from many ex-friends when it finally happened.

 

That's ****in terrible.

 

Pacheco was alright in the early 80s on some the broadcasts I saw heard him on. On Showtime, he sucked. Stuttering ***** who rarely made any good points.

He wrote an autobiography. The Ring said he actually claimed boxing became more humane as a result of his participation in the sport.

Then The Thrilla in Manila doc...what a ****ing *******.

He was better on the 30 for 30 episode on Muhammad & Larry, for whatever that's worthy. Still a grumpy **** but at least he wasn't a condescending dick like he was on the Manila doc.

 

Funny they were calling him Mighty Mike Tyson at that time then quickly changed it to Iron Mike Tyson...You think they did not want a comparison to Mighty Mouse or Mighty Joe Young

 

Haha, my hearing's ****, i thought they said Mikey Mike Tyson!

 

Funny I remember that. At that time I remember thinking what a dick. My dad knew Pacheco, and said he was always an arrogant ***** in fact we were talking about it last week, because he was down here promoting some book and his shitty artwork.

 

I'm glad they went back to Iron Mike as a nickname. Mighty Mike sucked.

 

It's pretty **** behaviour like isn't it.

Haha at everyone slating Pacheco here!

 

I just watched Holyfield-De Leon (1988 ) on ESPN classic a couple of nights ago, and it brought up this very topic.

Tyson was in the crowd, and the commentators talked about Tyson-Holyfield at length. They discussed how much weight Holy should gain, his chin, and so on. You got the sense that Holyfield would definitely be the top contender for Tyson, but that he certainly wasn't favored.

 

I've always wondered why they did that. He was only Mighty Mike for a couple of fights.

I've always figured it was an attempt at an "image change" after losing to Douglas.

 

Tyson at the time was running out of contenders. Holyfield was viewed as his best possible opponent. Holyfield was rather skinny in 1989, and loved to fight wars. The thinking at the time is Holyfield, can not beat Tyson the way he prefers to fight.

Holy peaked in 1991-1993. And of course he easily out boxed a post prison Tyson and scored a TKO. Going into that fight, the media felt Holyfield was a dead man.

 

He was Iron Mike as early as the Smith fight in March 1987.
i think "Mighty" Mike was something Don King tried to put on him post-Douglas, a psychological thing and a break from the days of Jacobs & Cayton.

 

During the years in question I think Evander was considered a legitimate threat to Tyson but was not favored to beat him...by most boxing experts and fans.

 

You mean Pacquiao-De La Hoya.