Mike Tyson: Who Has He Beat?

[The Great John L]

Peralta wasn't tall, but Smith wasn't jack-sh!t. How's that factor into the equation?

Nothing more than your opinion, and a pretty sad one at that. You must be one helluva a tough guy to say that a guy like Smith who blitzed Withersopoon and was ranked HW for years is jack shit.

Irene, I've always enjoyed your posts, but disparaging a former HW title holder who climbed to the HW title through hard work after, I believe no amatuer career, shows a total lack of class. Smith was far from "jack-shit".

[ThatOne]

I hope The Great JohnL is reading this because now another gentleman subscribes to the notion that "nobody or almost nobody" could have beat Tyson that night and it is so right and correct as to be "common knowledge.

It was a great performance what Buster did was to expose the flaws in Tyson that already existed; his inability to cope with adversity. Repectfully I thought that was common knowledge.

Wait a minute, that's not at all what I said. I said it was common knowledge that Douglas fought above and beyond was he was typically capable of. Come on mate. You seem to be a good enough debater and know a fair amount about the sport, without the need to put words in my mouth.

Thanks.

If I misconstrued what you wrote I apologize. It was a great performance. Perhaps the biggest upset in the history of sports. I don't see many 42-1 underdogs winning in any sport. I just think it has as much to do with Tyson as it does Douglas.

[Shazam!]

It could be argued that Tyson's style and lack of plan B is what played in to Buster's hands that night. Douglas had his personal problems but he may have also been intimidated by Tyson, as most were. This could also have accounted for his inspired performance, as people handle fear in different ways. It could very well have been the combination of the tragedies in his life coupled with his fear of Tyson that brought out the fighter we saw.

ThatOne, I agree with you that Douglas exposed Tyson and that Tyson was one dimensional. I have always said this. But then again, you HAVE to admit that Douglas fought above and beyond what he was normally capable of that night.

[Shazam!]

On a side not, am I the only one getting my head done in with all these quotes and re-quotes and triple quotes and...fornicate, it's a lot easier talking about boxing in the pub. But in a British pub, you're lucky if you find a guy who's knowledge extends far beyond Mike Tyson or Ricky Hatton.

Anyway, cheers for the discussion fellas. I'm off to watch Tottenham's grand failure to reach the champions league. Us Arsenal fans need something to cheer

[Goodnight, Irene]

On a side not, am I the only one getting my head done in with all these quotes and re-quotes and triple quotes and...eff, it's a lot easier talking about boxing in the pub. But in a British pub, you're lucky if you find a guy who's knowledge extends far beyond Mike Tyson or Ricky Hatton.

Anyway, cheers for the discussion fellas. I'm off to watch Tottenham's grand failure to reach the champions league. Us Arsenal fans need something to cheer

Why do you think I often quote people in the unique style I do?

[ThatOne]

It could be argued that Tyson's style and lack of plan B is what played in to Buster's hands that night. Douglas had his personal problems but he may have also been intimidated by Tyson, as most were. This could also have accounted for his inspired performance, as people handle fear in different ways. It could very well have been the combination of the tragedies in his life coupled with his fear of Tyson that brought out the fighter we saw.

ThatOne, I agree with you that Douglas exposed Tyson and that Tyson was one dimensional. I have always said this. But then again, you HAVE to admit that Douglas fought above and beyond what he was normally capable of that night.

I don't think any of my statements about Tyson suggest I don't think he was a great but flawed fighter and that it wasn't a major accomplishment to beat him. That's why I see him losing as well as winning any fantasy matchup.

If you could still stand after Tyson's blitz you had a good chance of prevaling. But only special fighters could withstand Tyson's blitz.

Some folks on this board have suggested it's nothing more than cliched thinking but I truly believe Tyson had a bully's or frontrunner's personality and he just wasn't the same when challenged.

It's not just me. It's knowledgeable folks from Teddy Atlas to Joe Frazier.

[oliverfennell]

I can see Tyson as a favorite over about just any boxer that ever lived. However I can also see him losing. That 's a paradox to me and I am sure to others. That's what makes his career so interesting.

Sad but true! D Never underestimate the hype machine! D Tyson would have probably been favourite in most people's books, against any fighter in history. But most people are idiots.

If he came back tomorrow, people would still give him a chance against at least Wlad and Haye. That's the hype machine for you.