For a 21 year old, 5'10, 215 lb boxer, how would you rate his technique? At that stage, he was outjabbing taller boxers, his bob and weave defense made him practically invisible, his footwork was amazing and his combinations were beautiful to watch. Highlight video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6zlaIl0yh0
That's all good gym work but it is against good calibre live opponents where you can actually see that schooling used effectively. Of course there is more to boxing than technique, but Tyson learned and used what he was taught damn well.
Between 20 and 21 I think that no-one would have lived with him. Damn shame D'Amato didn't live to see it and also to stop it all going to waste....which it did.
Just watched the video. His hand speed (with power) was truly unbelievable for a man of his proportion. His movement was incredible. D'Amato was a truly great trainer but Tyson was a truly gifted athlete.
i think for his dimensions he was very near perfect theres no other way he could of fought and been more effective than he was in his prime
The man uses planes of movement just unused by heavyweights. His techniques is incredible. One thing - a lot of people want to talk about Mike's "impeccable" head movement. I do think that - whilst lightning and unnerving for sure - this is an area of his game that was slightly overated. Mike's head movement was designed to ditch a specific punch - the jab - and given his dimensions, this is probably how it needed to be. But Mike didn't ditch specific shots. His head movement was rythym based, and as such I think it wold be technically possible to time him. You need ice cold blood in your viens and perfect techniqe yourself to get that done though.
Tyson was drilled like a soldier from a young age and because he developed a keen desire for boxing he simply lapped it up. Apart from Ali his style is the closest if seen to boxing perfection. The head movement the power in both hands, his footwork, his ring generalship, the killer instinct, the chin he truly had it all. undeniably the most talented fighter of all time.
awesome fighter. probably the most freakish physical specimen to step in the ring, more freakish than rjj. text book crisp punches, awesome hand speed, awesome head movement, awesome foot work, awesome chin, awesome combinations. just an awesome overall package.
Yes I miss Tyson on the ring, especially his ear biting.... hehehe no offense guys. I'm a Tyson fan too.
