Weaknesses in Prime Tyson.

His biggest weakness was that he was easily tied, despite being pretty strong physically. Many guys lasted longer than they could just because they clinched and Mike didn't know what to do.

Also moving and jabbing with confidence (watch Tillis and Douglas fights) was the key to success vs Mike.

At the same time, Mike easily dealt with pretty good jabbers like Holmes, Thomas, Bruno or Carl Williams.

 

Like this thread. I totally agree that Tyson had his trouble at times with the Jab. But the inside game? That was his game. He had to get inside to land because he was always the shorter fighter, 5'10" with only 71 reach. He was a master at closing the distance. Like also how you mentioned a prime MT. Pre Cus D'Amato, MT was one of the best. After Cus passes, MT boxing starts to go with it .. imo

 

He was pretty good at closing the distance but when his opponent tied him, Mike just stood there doing nothing until the referee called a break. That's the way how Smith went 12 rounds vs Mike despite being battered by Tyson as early as 1st round.

 

I disagree. Yes at times, he had trouble with the tie. But looking at his complete body of work, I would say not so much. I would have loved to see Tyson, jab, jab, double jab, right cross. Just wasn't his game. He would slip, slip and close the distance. He is the master of fighting in the pocket/mid range and on the inside. Moving from side to side on the inside, getting those angles for those hooks and uppercuts. So many incredible powerful hooks to the body, and uppercuts. I would say the vast majority of his KO's came from mid-range and on the inside. I just didn't see MT as an outside fighter ..imo

 

If Tyson constantly came forward he was going to win ,if the other fighter stopped him in his tracks then he was a target standing in front of them.

 

Tyson was not great at long range, but as has been mentioned he was great at slipping punches. I would also agree he was masterful at bobbing and weaving to close the distance. However he was not a great inside fighter IMO, and could be tied up as well. At his best he is a tough out for anyone and has to potential to beat anyone.

His punch resistance was top notch as shown in late career as his other skills eroded even though he never really had to display chin resolve or toughness in his prime it certainly was there.

2 best approaches for me aremovement and jabbing to keep distance. Guys like Tillis used that to merely survive not to actually compete. It would be interesting to see him against Ali, and how those 2 opposing skill sets would mesh.

The other is Size/and tying him up. Lewis in primes would be fun to see.

I guess a Buster type approach could potentially beat Tyson, but he was not exactly prime. I would love to have seen him and Holy fight right after the Dokes fights.

He didn't have many chinks in his armor, and what he did could likely only be taken advantage of by a select few.

I am partial to Frazier and think he could outwork Tyson inside even though a majority would disagree.

Moving- Ali and Holmes are the only 2 I can see exploiting this.

Size/tying up- Lewis is really the only one I see who could go here, although I would favor prime Tyson to get him first. To a lesser degree Vitali or Wlad would be fun.

Out toughing Tyson- Holyfield and Frazier are the only 2 I could see doing this.

Out powering tyson- Liston Foreman and Louis are the only 3 I see able to stand with him.

Very few weaknesses and even fewer Good enough to exploit it IMO

 

He was great at short and mid-range but he was surprisingly passive when opponents tied him up. Can you think of many instances where he fought off quality opponents who were trying to tie him up? Where he wrestled free from their grips or landed hard punches to their ribs, etc.?

 

Could be susceptible to taller fighters who were athletic, coordinated enough to control range and keep him at the end of their jabs, and strong enough to take some of his punches, but who wouldn't be?

 

Not off hand. I haven't watched film on him in years. I guess for me it just really didn't even matter. He basically knocked everybody out. Or maybe it's just the importance of the weakness of a boxer that affects the outcome of the fight. Not having a chin, not a good counter puncher, lacking in power, poor stamina, etc. ... For me personally, the tie up thing for Tyson is a little meager for me. When you start comparing Tyson with the all time greats, then it becomes more important. A much much greater weakness for Tyson, was not having D'Amato in his corner anymore while being focused on boxing..imo. His life was spiraling out of control fast.. I don't like discussing douglas/MT or Tyson/Holyfield because I think it's irrelevant. MT lost his focus long before that. I compare it to the Mayweather/Manny fight in 2015.. no need to watch or discuss that fight.. should have took place in 2009/10. As Manny lost his focus like MT did ...

 

It appeared to me that the longer you could drag the fight on without succumbing to his power the weaker Tyson got particularly as he got older.

 

Tysons main flaws were always between his ears.

 

yeah getting tied up and not landing as many body punches as he could have. He could have killed with his body attacks, I always wondered why he didn't use that more. The Ruddock fights he did it more and damn near cut the man in two.

 

Yeah down the stretch that would always be an issue, cus or no cus. He had the self destruct chip, which probably made him what he was

 

the ego of youth, easily his biggest weakness. He was dumb enough to believe the hype.