Roberto Duran Vs Mike Tyson: Who had more Heart?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Sage, Aug 12, 2008.


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  1. Sage

    Sage Active Member Full Member

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    Now this should be interesting.



    It always struck me as odd that there is this percieved notion that Tyson has no heart, that if you stood up to him that he would somehow quit and take the easy way out. And yet, i always remember him taking his ass kickings like a man, and always trying to get up. He took some bad beat downs too, from Douglas, to Holyfield to Lewis, and yet he never, ever gave up, even when his situation was dire.



    On the flip side, Roberto Duran has the reputation as a warrior and yet quit, straight up quit, in a boxing ring. Personally, i always think he gets off rather easy in respect to the no mas incident, and that somehow his later achievements make up for it. But as much as i like Duran and respect his awesome talent, he did quit. No the less, despite this, the man was an undeniable animal in the ring.





    So who has more heart and why? The percieved bully who would apparently crumble in the face of adversity, or the warrior who quit in one of the biggest moments of his life. I'm not trying to judge either way here, i'm just curious of perceptions and opinions of fighters in the context of things.






    So again, who do you deem to have more heart, and more importantly, why?






    Sage
     
    Sage, Aug 12, 2008
    Sage, Aug 12, 2008
    #1
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Duran.

    Also, Tyson's heart is just as you describe, the type of heart that allows him to take horrible beatings. He doesn't have fight-changing tide-turning fightback type of heart. He gets hurt and discouraged and then he just keeps plodding forward onto fists.

    That is not to say that EVERY time he got hurt he did this, but his heart never allowed him to alter the course of a fight.

    Comparing him to Duran is an insult, frankly. Yes, Duran quit during a massive fight. Yes, he tends to get a pass for that, and that's wrong. He is also a lighweight that got in with perhaps the most heart-breaking middle in history, and carried him to a close decision loss he snarlingly claimed was a robbery after 45 minutes of heated combat.

    He got into the ring with a punching middleweight, Iran Barkley, and took away that man's heart for the win.

    Ridiculous comparison.
     
    McGrain, Aug 12, 2008
    McGrain, Aug 12, 2008
    #2
  3. Sage

    Sage Active Member Full Member

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    Jun 21, 2008
    I dont think its a ridiculous comparison at all, because it all really comes down to how one defines heart, which is in essence the question.




    Personally, i define heart as how one faces or reacts to adversity. And say what you will about mike, he kept trying in the face of adversity and never ever gave up. On the flip side, even though duran faced adversity later in his career, in the moment he faced adversity in his prime he opted out rather then face defeat.





    Again, i'm not judging either way, but personally i think mike has under-rated heart.




    But that is part of my curiosity, to gain peoples perception on what is brave and courgarous when the odds are stacked against you, and what is not.






    Sage
     
    Sage, Aug 12, 2008
    Sage, Aug 12, 2008
    #3
  4. champianboxer

    champianboxer Mr Boingo Full Member

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    No compition, Duran hands down. Im a big tyson fan but he was doing realy good then D'Amato died and he quit, he just stop making the right descions, he got with Donkey King. Duran always came to fight his heart out, he fought for a while and was still whooping ass cause he came in shape and was training right, despite his weight now. I think when tyson first started fighting he did it because he wanted to be the best then it changed into money. Duran wanted to be the best thats why he always fought the best (Hagler, leonard, hearns).
     
    champianboxer, Aug 12, 2008
    champianboxer, Aug 12, 2008
    #4
  5. mexican legend

    mexican legend MVP! Full Member

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    Duran.
     
    mexican legend, Aug 12, 2008
    mexican legend, Aug 12, 2008
    #5
  6. Nikoliton

    Nikoliton New Member Full Member

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    Jul 17, 2008
    Duran.
     
    Nikoliton, Aug 12, 2008
    Nikoliton, Aug 12, 2008
    #6
  7. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    :lol: Someone voted for Tyson!

    Roll that man in glass!
     
    McGrain, Aug 12, 2008
    McGrain, Aug 12, 2008
    #7
  8. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    I did. Obviously i am discarding his acts when there was zero motivation in him left - post-Lewis fight. I think people underestimate Tyson's heart. He's no Ali, but against neither Douglas or Holyfield he stopped trying. He nearly turned the tables against Douglas in the 8th. To put in a one liner: it wasn't a matter of will, it was a matter of skill. I believe the bite in the Holyfield rematch was more because of frustration and his savage personality than looking for a way out, although Teddy Atlas will preach that theory until his death and become amazingly popular by doing so.

    But for whatever wrongs he showed, to me it doesn't compare to blatantly quitting "i don't need this"-style in your prime. If a fighter would do that today, ESB would be flooded with "Duran quit like a little ***** and should retire", etc, despite redeeming fights/moments afterwards.
     
    ChrisPontius, Aug 12, 2008
    ChrisPontius, Aug 12, 2008
    #8
  9. UKFightFan

    UKFightFan Member Full Member

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    After losing and realising he was not superman, I think Tyson became a shadow of his former self. To me this shows lack of heart. Not sure why anyone would vote for Tyson in this particular two horse race.
     
    UKFightFan, Aug 12, 2008
    UKFightFan, Aug 12, 2008
    #9
  10. P.4.P.G.O.A.T.

    P.4.P.G.O.A.T. Q Boro Killa Bee Full Member

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    I say two things: Number one, Duran, number two no one could have gotten up during the ten count in the Douglas fight. It was a five second ten count.
     
    P.4.P.G.O.A.T., Aug 12, 2008
    P.4.P.G.O.A.T., Aug 12, 2008
    #10
  11. jupzrooni

    jupzrooni Tyler Durden Full Member

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    Nov 17, 2007
    duran. he has proven time and time again that he can come back from a loss.. unlike tyson who, out of frustration, will bite the ear of his opponent.. it shows lack of heart
     
    jupzrooni, Aug 12, 2008
    jupzrooni, Aug 12, 2008
    #11
  12. doug.ie

    doug.ie 'Classic Boxing Society' Full Member

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    eh ??

    in his last fight he was pushed over...and quit on his stool...

    when you say...'he never ever gave up' some may dispute that...


    i would say that when duran 'quit' it was more of a protest thing than quitting...

    .
     
    doug.ie, Aug 12, 2008
    doug.ie, Aug 12, 2008
    #12
  13. King Dan

    King Dan Golovkin Full Member

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    Duran, and it's not even close.
     
    King Dan, Aug 12, 2008
    King Dan, Aug 12, 2008
    #13
  14. Outboxer

    Outboxer Boxing Addict Full Member

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    So true.
     
    Outboxer, Aug 12, 2008
    Outboxer, Aug 12, 2008
    #14
  15. Rico Spadafora

    Rico Spadafora Master of Chins Full Member

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    Doesn't matter both proved to be quitters.
     
    Rico Spadafora, Aug 12, 2008
    Rico Spadafora, Aug 12, 2008
    #15
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