What would Tyson's career look like if he had more discipline?

Nice post. Many on here don't believe it would have been any different. Some deny a lack of discipline or change in training had anything to do with his loss to Douglas. I think he would have beaten Buster, made a few more defenses, possibly beaten Holyfield in a huge fight in 1991 and reigned for a few more years. In the early 90s he probably would have fought Bowe and Lewis. I am not sure he would have beaten Bowe, but I think he would have taken Lewis. He would have burned out shortly after and hopefully, would have avoided prison and fighting just for a buck until age 40.

 

Given his fighting style, his reflexes should have lasted till the age of 29-30 and thats when he should have left the game with money in tact.

 

He would have still been beaten by Douglas and Holyfield, going to prison was actually a blessing in disguise career wise as it almost certainly saved him from some defeats.

 

His style was not suited for longevity, so I suspect that people like Holyfield and Lewis, would always have outlasted him.

Even so, he could have put a bit of a title reign together, and that might have been enough to elevate him to top three or top five status.

 

We just don't know.
Would he have got past Douglas ? I don't know.
Holyfield ? Again, it's doubtful.

The truth is he needed to stay disciplined AND improve/develop his game.
Maybe he needed a trainer to get him to that extra level.

 

What else could he have done that he didn't do? he fit a whole career into 3 half years..he did more than enough to warrant a top 10 spot..only thing that drags Tyson down is his post prison career which was horrible

 

I agree with Janitor, styles like his don't make for long shelf lives. 30 is a real stretch I'd say, that's too old.

I don't think we're just talking about age here either. I doubt that even the powers of Kevin Rooney could have kept him in line for too much longer. He would have gotten pretty uncontrollable no matter which Svengali was looking over him.

People use the Rooney exit as the point of demarcation for him to go completely off the rails and I guess they're right, but even had Rooney stayed on I can't see Tyson living simply and remaining focused for too much longer given the constant temptation.

 

Who fuking cares?

 

It also has to be noted, that the vast majority of champions do not remain consistent, once the title is in their possession.

The ones that do, are the exception rather than the norm.

 

I agree. And I'd say it's more than doubtful that he'd get past Holyfield. Holy did after all beat him clearly when he was further past his prime.

It could be that old Holy was a more difficult stylistically match-up for old Tyson than young(er) Holy was for young Tyson, but that's speculation. What we do know is that Holy clearly won when for good reason thought to be further past his best than Tyson was.

And seeing how badly beaten he was by Douglas it's also far from a given that he'd get by that version of Buster even in top shape.

All in all, the odds are at that even a totally dedicated Tyson would have lost to at least one of these men. And then there's also Bowe and Lewis... Two very difficult calls imo. Tyson vs Bowe would have been just beautiful if both men was in top shape.

 

A lot of people do actually

 

I've always thought if Tyson had enough discipline he could have reigned as champ until the late 90's retiring at 60-0 and breaking joe Louis' record alas it was not to be

 

He was disciplined early in his career but started to get off track when King and the vipers took over. I still think Mike would have to get past his biggest weakness which was mental strength and mental resilience. Cus was a vey powerful and positive influence but Mike lost a lot of what Cus taught him when Cus died

 

Now that is pure Tyson fanatical bull****....