Ray Arcel on Tyson - Spinks.

It's crazy how this was supposed to be this Titanic clash of styles. Two undefeated world champions going at it. That 91 second blowout seemingly came from nowhere.

 

Interesting that Razor Ruddick seemed to keep it all together in his 2 fights with Tyson, although losses.

 

He really did not have a chance. He couldn't get away from the body punches, which put him down. He was just too small and the only chance I would think is maybe landing a Spinks Jinx, but Mike's chin was good enough to take those and come on and knock him out.

 

I wouldn´t say so. I think it was Angelo Dundee making a fight prediction on TV (can´t find it on youtube right now), telling: "Don´t get yourself a coke or a beer when the fight starts, because you might miss the fight. This on is gonna be over quickly. And it will happen by knockout!"

Somethink like that. There were others seeing a Spinks demolition.

 

I think it's less that Spinks was afraid and more that Tyson was just a bad style match-up for him.

 

Yeah but I think that was said as a joke. Many, including Muhammad Ali, were picking Spinks to win. One sports writer picked Spinks to win via late round TKO. Sugar Ray Leonard was unsure. I know Jack Sharkey and Billy Conn picked Tyson to win.

 

One whole sports writer huh? Boy, that sure is impressive and validating of your point.

You happen to know that sports writers name?

 

Tyson once said that “an intimidated fighter can’t perform”. Perhaps intimidated is too strong a word. Unsettled might be kinder. When fighters are trained and primed to fight a factor like psychological focus can be a huge thing. And Tyson knew all about that. As good as he was he wanted to win mind games too.

One thing for sure is that guys like Tyson feed off of that. It actually improves them. What he really meant was “I can perform much better against an intimidated fighter”. Nobody is going to say that but this was his real secret. And it works.

it brought something extra out of him knowing he had that edge. The guy was a hunter. He had an instinct. Once he knew he had a guy “unsettled” the opponent became his prey.

That is why when Tyson got older he went to even more deliberate lengths to unsettle opponents. Biting ears, twisting arms, biting legs.. turning up at press conferences with that crocodile chap.

 

Thanks John