I rank him as the 8th best HW of all time. I think that's about what his potential promised, in retrospect.
I may be biased but I don't think George would have had his way with prime-Tyson. Prime Tyson is only superficially similar to Frazier. Tyson had much better head and upperbody movement, footwork, speed and understanding of boxing. Frazier was a one dimensional slugger who came in very predictably. Tyson would box his way in behind the jab, come in at angles and finish with combos. Tyson had a very good right hand, better than Frazier. 25 year old George would be trying to land one punch haymakers on Tyson, which is near impossible to land, given prime Tysons underrated defensive skills. Tyson would be landing big shots which would occasionally stagger George and then clinch with George, which leaves George unable to counter. It would look like a more competitve Bonecrusher-Tyson match, IMO.
Rooney said he lived up to 50% of his potential and I believe him. That being said Mike was mentally fragile and someone would have beat him. For example I don't think any version of Tyson beats Holyfield he had too good of a Chin and stamina for one and pushed Tyson around like a little kid. I am also inclined to think Mike would never beat a peak Lewis some might disagree with that but it is not out of the question.
The bar for Tyson was set very high. Short of becoming the best heavyweight of all time and he would not have lived up to his potential.
legacy-wise, it's hard to tell if he did or didn't live up to his potential. maybe he could've finished off holyfield and lewis in the late 80s/early90s because they hadn't experienced too many scares at that point. e.g. if tyson had knocked holy into the ropes instead of cooper, then maybe holyfield would've gotten finished. but i think tyson did fulfill his physical potential. i don't think he could've gotten in a better physical state than he did around 87.
Before he met Cus his potential was felon after he is a HOF he not only lived up to it but surpassed most all expectations of him !! Will there ever be another Tyson ?? The HW is still looking for him !
U r very right, he didn't! Skill wise at least! He got married and that is where it turned downhill for him! Robin was ****in with his head like no other!
Yea if Mike had Holyfield's mental strength he probaly would have been better, it didn't help either that the dumbass, pissed away 3 long years for that **** conviction, regardless if he was guilty or innocent he put himself in a bad position... Tyson was sometimes his own worst enemy if he wouldn't have ****ed with the law so much he would have had a better career.. Funny now he seems happier now fat and broke, then he did back in the 80's when he was on top of the world...
I think his Documentary "Tyson" perfectly tells the story of his shortcoming's in the ring from his own admission's.
Douglas exposed Tyson as the bully he was. His luster was gone after that. Bowe and Lewis would have taken him apart in the mid 90s.
JUst watch the documentary and he'll admit all his shortcomings for all those who love and hate him. He also knows he can't beat the greats such as Ali. He set the goal to be HW champ (the youngest) and set on to unify the belts. You can't expect him to do everything fans want him to do, like reign forever and not get married and just keep on boxing 24/7. He is what he is.