When was Tyson in best shape?

:goodBang on the button Choklab - this was Tyson's best ever fight bar none - Tyson was never any better - think he was like 214lbs for that one aswell - he was awesome and so was Green's chin too - that's one of my favourite fights to watch I think.

 

In depends on how you define the term "best shape?"

Tyson's lightest weight as a Professional was when he faced Ribalta, weighing 213lbs, 15st 3lbs. After Winning the title, his lightest weight was against Holmes, weighing 215lbs, 15st 5lbs. When Tyson was at or around those weights, he looked like a Big Light-Heavyweight.

I believe when he was light like the above weights was when he was at his best condition. Yes, he may have been more ripped against McNeeley, he weighed 220lbs for that one, but I reckon he was at his fittest when he was really light.

In terms of Focus, he may well have been at his peak for the Spinks fight. Given all the **** that was going on around him, he kept his focus on Spinks & did a quick, devastating number on him!

 

True. The only fight during his post prison career,that he really looked in top shape.

 

It was after Tyson-Green that analysts said his power was not so comparable to that of Foreman's, but more like Frazier's, and that Smokin' Joe might provide a more appropriate template for Mike's further development, as an attrition oriented specialist. I felt very strongly at the time that a rematch with Green would have been highly beneficial, particularly with the acrimony between the two. Quick headline attracting knockouts were not what he needed to progress further. Durable competition which could extend him, with chins and punch resistance to prompt him to further evolve his body punching would have been ideal. (And the maniacal Green really wanted a second shot at Mike, who many were intimidated by.)

After blowing out Holmes, Tubbs, Spinks, Bruno and Williams, a rematch with the rugged Tucker (on a 14-0 streak between Tyson and Lennox) could have tempered him back to the steel hardness he needed for Douglas in Tokyo. The lack of competition in 1988 and 1989 cost him dearly.

 

I agree.
Any time from 1986 - '88 he was in his best shape.

 

Just watched the Mcneely fight again as id never noticed him being in so called such good shape for that fight , would be intresting to know how he obtained such condition

 

When he killed Berbick

 

In another era Tyson would have fought green and tillis twice each BEFORE fighting for the title and would have been beter.

I think Tysons early TV exposure was such that maybe these types of opponents that would have been beneficial, simply wanted too much money for a rematch. Good opponents priced themselves out because Tyson was such a mainstream attraction. Same with cooney.

when you think liston fought tricky guys that could extend him a couple of times on the way up, same with Louis and marciano.

 

The Ribalta fight. My favorite performance of his.

 

Tyson best demonstrated supreme conditioning in the Green, Ribalta, Tucker & Ruddock II fights.

I'm convinced that a Tyson in such great condition could've stayed strong across 15 rounds, judging by how good he still looked in the final rounds against Tucker (i'm still bitter it was cut to 12 rounds) & especially Ruddock II with three broken ribs from Razor's nuclear body-shots. :shock:

He was probably physically at 100% throughout '86, '87 & '88, but also in '91 when he was highly motivated to regain his titles.

 

How can a fighter be in any better shape than when he is running up to the title?

The Berbick stoppage is my pick. 1986 was a busy developmental year for Mike, climaxing when he fulfilled the dream.

 

best shape mentally and physically? 1987 and 1988. From Biggs to Spinks.

 

I'd probably say during '86 and '87, when he was fighting so many opponents and keeping in constant fighting trim.

 

MCneeley

This content is protected

OR

teh bite fight

This content is protected

 

Yeah. Evander's ear was very nutritious