If there was no film

I think that Tyson benefits more than most from the availability of high quality footage.

Without it you might conclude that he was a David Tua type fighter.

 

Ignorant fools would compare him to a young Boston Tom McMustache :verysad

 

I think there are definitely stylistic similarities.

 

Would you agree that RJJ is in the same boat? His resume doesn't do justice to how incredible he looked in the ring.

 

Aside from the head movement that I imagine BTM had, and the bone-crushing power I KNOW he had, I just don't see it. By all accounts "The Boston Blacksmith With Steel In His Hands" was a more effective inside fighter. Lest we forget his notorious exhibition vs. Cleveland "Steamer" Tate that took place inside an actual phonebooth.

 

I think it is an interesting question. If he came along in the early 1900s, his career is pretty much in the same time frame as Jack Johnson/tommy Burns. With the fractured title, Tyson gets his chance to clean the division by beating the best fighters out their. With the likes of Berbick, Tucker and Smith, I think he gets to beat the three alphabet title holders. In this day, this probably translates to Bill Squires Aussie Champ (Berbick) early KO, Sam McVey Coloured Champ (You can replace Sam with Jack Johnson, but i have assumed that Johnson and Tyson have swapped times) points decision, Tommy Burns world Champion (Tucker) Points. decision. You will also have in there the win over peoples champion OBrien, who had the lineal championship sort of, and was the light heavyweight champion (Spinks) by KO1 and the out of retirement former all time great Jeffries (Holmes). Mixed in there you have some good solid stoppage wins over the likes of Kaufman, Morris, Flynn, Ross, Lang etc in the same manner that guys like Biggs, Williams, Tubbs, Thomsa, Green etc. For whatever reason (including the Gunboat Smith Licence) Tyson would not fight Joe Jeanette (Witherspoon) at any stage of his career.

The first speedbump would occur after 4 dominant years at the top. I would say it is a loss to Jim Johnson (buster Douglas), by devastating KO. They are similar fighters in that they had a pretty good run, but were not considered the best fighters of their time or expected to win, and met up with an undertrained champion and fought the fight of their life. After losing the title, Tyson would get to fight one of the top contenders say, Frank Moran, twice in close bot dominant fassion (like Ruddock). Although i must say, ideally, Frank would have had a much cooler name. Meanwhile, Jim Johnson would lose the fight to Sam Langford the former undisputed king of the lighter heavyweights (Sam Langford). After beating Sam, Tyson would go to jail for 3 years (violation of the mann act). At around about this time there was some talk of matching Tyson with the big hitting legendary Bob Fitzsimmons who had come out of retirement and KOd all comers despite being slow as moluscs. It was rumoured that Tyson was scared to fight him because his mentor told him he had the wrong style.

When he gets out, he would beat Flynn again (Bruno), as well as lower level guys like Cowler (seldon), Crozier and Craven (Mathis and Neeley). all with quick KOs. This leads into the super showdown with Langford, who had exchanged titles with Fulton. Tyson would be KOd by Langford and Dqd in the second fight. Astonishingly, at this time, the former great Bob Fitzsimmons with nothing but a huge punch had come out of retirment and won the lineal title. Tyson had steered clear of Foreman with rumours still persisting that he was scared of Fitzsimmons and refused to fight him.

Tyson would not end up fighting Fulton. But he would later go on an impressive KO run average lower ranked contenders of his time before finally meeting with the Giant Jess Willard (Lennox Lewis). Jess would keep him on the end of his Jab and knock Tyson out. In fairness to tyson, there would be no stories about a dive. Following this fight, tyson would try to come back against say Captain Bob Roper(Danny Williams) and Al Norton (Kevin McBride). But both would end in crushing losses and Tyson would end up retiring.

Like it or not, that is pretty much what Tyson's career in the early 1900s looked like. Certainly in relation to the best fighters of his time, this is what he actually did. (if you can get past looking at the weights of fighters). It is still pretty good, but i dont think it really compares to what Jack Johnson did.

 

I am calling you out on the phonebooth myth, they werent even invented in Tom's day. And there was only ever one blacksmith who could fight. And that is Fitzy. Weighing in at 167 Fitz KOs Tom in 1 round. In fact, 1881 when Fitz KOd Herbert Slade, and offered to do the same to Jem Mace, i heard that Tom was in the crowd and not to keen on stepping in the ring with the young NZ lightweight champion.

 

Well, I hope you're happy. You've just ignited a shitstorm of controversy. However, consider yourself fortunate to be off the hook for now. I don't have the time to correct you at this moment, as I'm off to give a lecture. Then I'm going to gnosh on light hors d'oeuvres & white wine. Then I'm going to smartly bang my wife. Then I'm going to consult my personal library, and then, yes, then I will put you in your place.



...No phone booths my ass! :twisted:

 

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That's just a mathematical axiom, though. At 166 3/4 lbs, it's a very different fight.