What if Tyson was declared the winner in the Trials finals against Tillman? How far would he have gone in the Olympics?
I think he could have medaled. Seeing what Bert Cooper did to Dewitt later, I imagine Tyson could have beaten Dewitt. lI actually think it was good for Tyson's pro career that he didn't fight in the Olympics. He turned pro mostly under the radar, and he had the motivation and hunger to get to the top in the pros. If he goes to the Olympics, the hype around him starts earlier, the money starts coming in earlier; the chances of derailment increase. I know Cus would have been alive during the Olympics to keep him in line, but the hunger and motivation might have gone down.
I wonder if winning the gold in the Olympics changes Tyson's mindset in a positive way and how it would effect his career?
He was groomed for the gold. There was big money behind him. Jacobs and Cayton had been involved for quite awhile with him in those amatuer days. They did a magnificent job of dismissing the olympics and the loss and moved on. They did the best thing they could--immediate pro fights that got the ko results. It was not a case of him losing as amatuer and then going out and trying to find a trainer and manager, like other guys do. That was all intact.
