Tony Tucker had put up a fight against Mike Tyson? Tucker did the rope-a dope all night long. Tyson couldn't touch him and won by sheer agression. I was quite impressed with Tucker. Young, strong, a skilled boxer. I suspect he would have given Tyson a lot of trouble if he had tried. Who knows? OK, people. Come up with your own examples, where things would have been much different, "if only..."
Contextually I can't speak on much of the 80's boxing scene, but I am a Mike Tyson fan boy. I think Tyson catches Tucker eventually if Tucker became more aggressive offensively, Tucker went the distance because he fought to go the distance. If he wanted to go to war with Mike, Mike would've had more openings to land and a target that moved less. Tucker's tactics were to avoid Mike's pressure, with footwork and on the ropes. Tucker clenched, shelled up, had good movement, and picked his shots, I suspect this was the best game plan for Tucker that night, even had he not fracturing his hand. What if... Marciano had not landed his Suzie-Q in the 13th round against Jersey Joe? Walcott would have only reigned for so long at age 37, but the immediate rematch between the two ended Walcott's career with a first round KO loss. Walcott put up a valiant master class of boxing against Marciano even at his old age, and was clearly not a washed fighter at this time. Had he beaten Marciano in the first fight, or lost by decision, I wonder if he would've been better in the rematch, or how long his reign would've last against other top contenders had he not been lost his belt, or defeated so viciously in the rematch and retired to what extent his career may have continued.
This. He found out quick he couldn't beat Mike by boxing, Mike was cutting off the ring too well. Tony felt the power and knew to hide (no offense to Tucker fans). Tony Tucker wasn't prime Jimmy Young, put it that way.
You might be right, of course we'll never know. Tyson was a monster when he was up against someone who was scared of him, as Michael Spinx was. Or up against a nobody like Pinklon Thomas. Or an over the hill veteran like Holmes. I forget most of the other guys he thrashed. Nobody that good that I recall. But I say when he was up against a strong skilled boxer who wasn't intimidated, he wasn't so s h i t hot as people made him out to be.
Tucker fractured his hand in the fight? I didn't know that. It certainly would explain a few things. Good example with Marciano's haymaker against Walcott. Without that famous picture of an aging Walcott's distorted face, I would also say that Marciano would never have achieved the stature he did.
Can't really disagree with this. Tucker did well, especially lookin back at how deadly Tyson was then. He went 12 rounds, never looked seriously hurt and had little flashes of getting some good shots in. OK, there was no doubt ever about the verdict but it really was an achievement. Those too young to remember, Tyson was seen back then as Liston, Louis, Frazier and Jack Johnson all mixed in together!
I truly feel Marciano is a good fighter in any era. But I think a lot of his popularity came from defeating the old guard of the heavyweight division. I think the saying that every old fighter has one great fight left in them, or something of that sentiment is true. Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe's one great fight left were their first fights with Marciano. Those are Classics, and excellent performances for both fights.
You might be right. I'm sure Marciano was a tough nut, just like George Chuvalo was a tough nut. I don't think I ever watched him fight, tbh. But I still say that that photo did a lot to enhance his fame.
What would have happened if Floyd had the balls to fight Antonio Margarito the fight all the fans wanted after Tony destroyed Cotto. Instead he showed what a coward he was when faced by Tony quietly asking "why wont you fight me ". He literally went ballistic he freaked out eventually making himself lose control of everything & embarrassing himself in front of the crowd & the internet Just think Floyd could have fought Margarito & legitimately beaten him & then I'd have willingly congratulated him & called him CHAMP!!!! All Ive ever wanted was to see Tony get the shot at Floyd in a fair straight down the middle fight that he rightfully deserved. Those acorn sized testes Floyd was cursed with prevented that from happening though. They had to find another way of getting rid of him didn't they
