When was Tyson in best shape?

In terms of physical condition, I suspect he might have been in his best shape for Tony Tucker, a bout scheduled for the championship distance until tragically shortened to 12 rounds at the last moment. Of course Mike himself would be the best one to ask.

 

I would say when he fought Pinklon Thomas...though I could be wrong, that fight impressed me more than nay other Tyson effort..he looked in great shape and did a masterful job of pulverizing a very good fighter.

 

I guess it depends on what is meant by "shape." I felt the most explosive, quickest Tyson was against Tucker and Tubbs. Ripped doesn't always mean the best shape. As far as "aesthetically looking" in shape, I agree that the McNeely fight would have been the best.

 

After Douglas knocked Mike out, Foreman loved pointing out how impressive Tyson's abdominal definition looked as he lay upon the floor. In fact, that was just about the most gleeful soliloquy I heard George launch into during his second career.

I figured it had to be Tucker, not simply because it was originally scheduled for the championship distance, but because Mike had gone 12 rounds with Smith less than five months before, and probably expected another time limit situation with the 34-0-0 TNT. In 1987, he wasn't blowing out opponents in one or two rounds, and I feel being extended longer distances served him well at this time. (Red Cobra's choice of Thomas coming between Smith and Tucker is also very rational, as might be Biggs or Holmes.)

 

I remember that.

 

Thanks much. Always nice to have personal reminisces independently corroborated!:good (I wonder how many others here recall Foreman going on about that. It sure seemed to shut up an awful lot of critics harping on about George's weight.)

 

I've always thought Tyson may well have used some performance enhancing drugs that resulted in the physical look for the McNeeley fight, something specific that he never used before or since.
I remember he came out of jail 4 months earlier looking thin and reportedly 200 pounds or less, and then came into the McNeeley fight with muscular definition that he never had before.

 

Tyson also claimed not to use weights atleast as a significant part of his training in the 80's but he was into weight-lifting by the time he got back from prison. This may have made his physique look more imposing, but less efficient in actual competition.

 

Absolutely right.

 

whenever he was at 96 kilos.

 

I think tyson was in best shape for the mitch blood green fight. As far as boxing is concerned you are in the best shape when your work rate is highest. Tyson against green was nonstop. There was no pausing or standing off to think like he later did, neither did he throw one punch at a time, it was all combinations. Apart from when green held him tight tyson was the energiser bunny, all head movement and fast hands, his condition was outstanding for this night.

 

It could have been his diet. His body fat seemed to be down to an all-time low. In his subsequent fights he never looked quite like that, even in his rematch with Holyfield where he was in great shape.
So, unless he only did the weights for McNeeley, it's not a complete explanation. I suspect drugs played a part only because I couple it with his slightly emaciated appearance on leaving jail, but it could have been a natural consequence of that too, I guess. + weights + diet

 

yup...that sounds right.

 

Who cares what he looked like, look at his career. Look when he was active fighting every other month or every 3 months. You dont have any time off from the gym. Thats when Tyson was in top shape. A scary snarl and a ripped adominal section dont mean **** if you cant fight 12 rounds.