Was Tyson more popular before he went to prison or after prison?

I don't know how popular was Tyson in 80s. I think he was among the most recognised people worldwide.

But here in Ukraine I still haven't met a person who doesn't know Mike Tyson. Even old women who don't follow any sports know Iron Mike.

 

I think it was fairly even. He had the hype (deserved) the ko ability in any fight and packed seats. He was boxing’s biggest draw.

Upon his return it may have amped up a little because the world/media was looking for a destroyer to lead boxing and the HW’s forward. Tyson again fit the bill.

He wasn’t the same fighter and maybe the air of invincibility was tainted, but he still promised devastating displays.

I would say about the same in terms of popularity/fame.

 

The same ...it's like asking was Michael Jackson more popular in his " Thriller" days or his "Bad" days

 

I remember him being extremely popular after he won the belt and started knocking guys out early on the ppv's

 

Popular and revered before deterioration of behaviour became apparent / pre prison.
Rapidly became a Freak show post prison.

 

More popular before prison. Plenty of people idolised him and wanted to be like him. After prison he was still popular and still a huge attraction but in a infamous and notorious way rather than a idolised or a admired way.

 

He had tons of endorsements before prison, none after.

 

It depends on definition of popular, even in the latter less auspicious part of his career he was still being paid milions of dollars, in fact Tyson allegedly stated "I can sell out Madison Square Garden masturbating."
So if popularity is based upon good earnings for not so good fights then Tyson was still popular.

 

I don't know that you can say he was more or less "popular." I think it boils down more to the aura that surrounded him in those respective times.

Before the prison stint, the public held him in awe because of his almost cartoonish highlight-reel KO's and the knowledge that they were witnessing budding greatness in the flesh. After prison, they knew they were witnessing a train that was teetering and threatening to run off the rails at any moment.

Both are entertaining in their own way.

 

I learned from my uncle's crew that Tyson's stock dropped after Douglas. I later learned that what I saw in my youth-- they claimed they saw it played out in Liston losing to Clay/Ali & Foreman losing to Ali.

I was pissed at my uncle Pookie. Yes Pookie. He said now that Douglas beat Mike, everybody is gonna whoop his ass. His aura was broken.

But to young people and common fans who didn't really know the game...his popularity did indeed rise. We/They wanted to know was it a fluke. Even after Holy stood up to him & broke him down, we still gave him a chance.

Even after that disturbing bite fight (which broke PPV records) we still forgave him and watched to witness another freakshow.

Pre-prison his popularity was due to his aura of invincibility. The ring walk, the black trunks & shoes, no socks menacing fighter.

Post prison his popularity soared as a freak show.

 

I was too young to remember what he was like pre prison but post prison the mystique around him after being in prison for a few years was powerful, after he destroyed Bruno and Seldon the 'Baddest Man On The Planet' hype was huge.
Post ear bite from 1999 onwards he was seen by anyone with a clue about boxing as a basically shot fighter who could still draw huge crowds and PPV sales because of his past achievements, charisma and the freak show novelty because of the ear bite and general insane behaviour.

 

I was just as bullish on the greats of the 70's and pre-70's when Tyson emerged in the 80's. You just couldn't ignore of deny him...he was awesome...a force of nature. Anyway, Buster Douglas ruined all that...and that's what made the difference...his incarceration had nothing to do with his decline in popularity..

 

I'd say his popularity actually was stronger post prison, but it didn't last very long, since it soon became obvious that he wasn't the Tyson of old and couldn't deliver in the ring anymore. Tyson in the mid to late 90's also was better than ever at selling fights.

I remember when the Tyson-Lewis fight was being talked about and how people were saying how shot and past it Tyson was and that Lewis would win easily, which turned out to be true. However, once Tyson got a microphone in front of him and started talking even Lennox looked surprised at how easily Tyson was selling the fight and convincing people he had a chance.

 

Was Jimmy Saville more popular pre or post death.......