BoxRec

I think it was Dempsey, not Liston, who stood as Tyson's true idol.

"He's everything I want to be." - Tyson, on Dempsey.

I don't think I'll cast a vote in this one, anyway. It's too close to call --- & not just in regards to Ali & Foreman.

I recall on a video of Tyson around his peak years where he
often spoke fondly of Dempsey.

It was only in the mid 1990s that I recall him ever mentioning
Liston. And I think he likened himself to Sonny because he felt
he was unpopular and misunderstoon like Liston was.

Its funny that Tyson never, from what I can recall reading, or
hearing ever compared himself to Frazier or Patterson, even
though it is with both that he does (stylistically and in size)
share a lot with.

Heck Tyson even adopted a Dempsey hair cut.

Robinson wrote:I recall on a video of Tyson around his peak years where he
often spoke fondly of Dempsey.

It was only in the mid 1990s that I recall him ever mentioning
Liston. And I think he likened himself to Sonny because he felt
he was unpopular and misunderstoon like Liston was.

Its funny that Tyson never, from what I can recall reading, or
hearing ever compared himself to Frazier or Patterson, even
though it is with both that he does (stylistically and in size)
share a lot with.

Heck Tyson even adopted a Dempsey hair cut.

You are right that Tyson mentioned Liston more as he got older, but, arriving on the scene, his idol really was Dempsey, not anyone else. I hadn't even noticed the haircut issue before --- & I think you're right. Dunno if it was intentional or not, but, with Tyson, he was that type of guy. Wouldn't surprise me if it was modelled quite deliberately on Dempsey's. By coincidence, I was watching Trinidad vs. Vargas last night, & noted how much Tito, dressed in black trunks, socks & boots for this fight, looked like a starved-down version of the vintage Tyson, complete with the same hairstyle.

As Vargas found out, almost as deadly as a young Tyson, too

Few people here suffering from 70s syndrome.

It's obvious to me that Jersey Joe had much more in the tank than any of the others at this time. At this point I think he takes it.

Ezzard wrote:Few people here suffering from 70s syndrome.

It's obvious to me that Jersey Joe had much more in the tank than any of the others at this time. At this point I think he takes it.

Fair play, though, a year before, Louis had knocked out this Walcott, so that's a risky fight for him. Then, too, his chances to beat the returning Foreman are very good --- but I'd also say it's a hold-your-breath kinda battle, & Foreman's chances to wear Walcott down & KO him would be similarly high. I do think, based on what Young did, Walcott's best odds for a victory are against Ali, but that's not completely certain, either.

Walcott could win this tournament. Again, I think any of them could. Louis may be the outsider.

Goodnight, Irene wrote:

Ezzard wrote:Few people here suffering from 70s syndrome.

It's obvious to me that Jersey Joe had much more in the tank than any of the others at this time. At this point I think he takes it.

Fair play, though, a year before, Louis had knocked out this Walcott, so that's a risky fight for him. Then, too, his chances to beat the returning Foreman are very good --- but I'd also say it's a hold-your-breath kinda battle, & Foreman's chances to wear Walcott down & KO him would be similarly high. I do think, based on what Young did, Walcott's best odds for a victory are against Ali, but that's not completely certain, either.

Walcott could win this tournament. Again, I think any of them could. Louis may be the outsider.

Walcott almost beat the prime and fresh Marciano. Yes George could take him out with one shot, as could Ali and Louis... But I can't see foreman landing that shot. I see Walcott being much more successful than Young against Ali... And Louis was just too faded to beat Jersey Joe at this point.

I'm sos ure of this one it's one of the few times I'd actually bet money...

You think one shot from the 1977 Ali could remove Walcott from the picture?

Goodnight, Irene wrote:You think one shot from the 1977 Ali could remove Walcott from the picture?

What year was it when he did a similar thing to Lyle? he could... I just think Jersey Joe has this tournament sewn up

It was many punches, not one, which put Lyle out of the fight. That was pretty much an anamoly in Ali's later career, though --- & the stoppage was BS, to boot.

But there was one shot that started it. Lyle backed off and Ali moved in.

Ezzard wrote:But there was one shot that started it. Lyle backed off and Ali moved in.

That's true, I'll give you that. Even so, it was essentially a fluke occurrence, taking into view the entire back-half of Ali's career. Walcott was also a lot trickier to nail clean (especially with a loaded shot) than Lyle ever was. Charles got him at one stage, but the Charles who floored Walcott had better reflexes than this Ali.

Goodnight, Irene wrote:

Ezzard wrote:But there was one shot that started it. Lyle backed off and Ali moved in.

That's true, I'll give you that. Even so, it was essentially a fluke occurrence, taking into view the entire back-half of Ali's career. Walcott was also a lot trickier to nail clean (especially with a loaded shot) than Lyle ever was. Charles got him at one stage, but the Charles who floored Walcott had better reflexes than this Ali.

agreed