Professional prizefighters and for that matter all professional sports stars, are supposed to shamelessly grab money (if you wish to put it that way), as much of it as the market will bear, that's their job without remorse. I promise you, neither fighter, nor anyone connected with this event is embarrassed by how many zeros it is generating, nor should they be, its a matter of simple economics. Mayweather is one of the most lucrative PPV attractions of all time, in ANY sport, and he sat on top of the Forbes and Sports Illustrated lists of the 50 highest-paid athletes multiple years. I think he has generated @ 20 million in PPV buys and $1.5 billion in revenue throughout his career, so, long story short, this event has everything to do with money, lots of it, and nobody should be ashamed. Not that I'm a fan or anything but, as regards Mayweather ruining boxing, that's simply not true, if anything, he took boxing to another level. Being objective rather than playing the shallow-minded hate-game, bear in mind he is widely regarded by his peers, boxing experts & fans alike to be one of the greatest boxers of all time, period. There is a reason he was a multiple Ring magazine Fighter of the Year, multiple Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year, multiple (6 times I think) Best Fighter ESPY etc. In 2016, he was ranked by ESPN as the greatest boxer, pound for pound, of the last 25 years! Think about it, undefeated as a professional in 49 fights, a five-division World Champion, winning fifteen world titles and the lineal championship in four different weight classes! Yes, that's another level. Perhaps by saying he ruined boxing you are referring to his fighting style, but, most who really know what they are looking at would rather say he is regarded as the best defensive boxer in history. Don't forget, he is the most accurate puncher since the existence of CompuBox, having the highest plus–minus ratio in recorded boxing history. I agree, at first glance this event looks like a silly farce where anything can happen, but I think we have already received a good measure of the entertainment coming our way, and the fight itself may be quite good. That said, I think everyone needs to relax, its entertainment for 1 hour of our lives, nothing to get worked up over. To those who think this event is a scam, there is a simple solution as is their prerogative - CLICK. Because for 146 years, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was billed as "The Greatest Show on Earth"! You must not have been ringside on December the 8th 2007, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Allow me to illustrate via this YouTube video how events unfolded in the 10th round that night: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ULnS9PjcZU[/ame] If you are suggesting that Mayweather is past his prime, you are right, he is. But, I recall a couple of other fighters who were very dangerous past their prime, so let's relax and see what happens. As to Mayweather being boring, if you know what to look for, he is in fact mesmerizing, beautifully aggressive, utter poetry in motion: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQYeSXpC244[/ame] Here is a slow-mo tape of FM, perhaps making it easier to spot the details of the aforementioned greatness, if you still can't see it, that's okay: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEvUgiKf6BI[/ame]
Hard to say because of the weight differential, it'll always be a hypothetical discussion, but interesting thought.
Tyson was better defensively and better counter puncher than floyd in his prime (pre 88). True story. And I'll bet he was as accurate if not more in that time period. If there was ever a computer in the ring, it was the prime Tyson. Total prodigy in his prime. Oh and I was off by two years, silly me. Okay so it has still been ten years with no KO. The results speak for themselves. Floyd=Yawn Entertaining hype man though. Entertaining until he enters the ring LOL
I'd agree vintage Tyson circa 1985-1988 was devastating because he had power & speed. But even in that period, if you watch the films, you'll see that he had the propensity to miss fairly regularly, and get hit himself, 2 things that increased as time went on and he abandoned Cus D'Amato's training strategy. Also, Tyson was more of a combination puncher (hook-then-uppercut) as he moved forward, as opposed to FM who is a counter-puncher doing it sometimes as he moves backwards. Unlike Tyson, Mayweather has maintained freakish hand speed and pinpoint accuracy throughout his long career, he is also better defensively as his undefeated record proves, and likely the best counter-puncher to ever step in the ring. He also has incredible footwork and movement in the ring, which MT did not. Yes it's been 10 years and no KO but Boxing is not judged by KOs alone. Perhaps not many know this but FM is hampered by hand injuries (as reported by ESPN's Nigel Collins, something I have always known from chatter in the boxing community) and as a result in the second half of his career he has often coasted to preserve his hands.
Prime Tyson was a power house devastating puncher. I think Floyd more accurately emulates and demonstrates the skill of boxing. Whether one likes him or not outside the ring no one can deny his accomplishments inside the ring and his marketing skill outside the ring for that matter. People criticize his lack of education, his supposed inability to read etc. but when it comes to boxing he is a genius.
The biggest myth about Tyson's greatness there is. In his prime Tyson's defense was his offense. It was every bit as good and better than the offense. He never gets any credit for this. In his prime, Tyson hardly ever got touched at all. Never had a cut, swollen eye, bruise. Jacobs always used to say that after toweling off Tyson after a fight, "You cannot tell what his profession his." Tyson's defense was other-worldly. All people ever payed attention to was the power. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC5PTPV4Frg His most impressive performance ever IMO I've seen Mayweather walk out of the ring with damage done to his face countless times. And he's a lightweight!
Well-said. In fact, this poorly-named video you've posted only serves to prove that Tyson didn't have much of a defense at all! @ 2 mins onwards and Reggie Gross is teeing-off on Tyson who is unable to get out of the way. MT also misses with regularity. No myth. What Tyson had was speed and devastating power which he used to overcome his opponent WHEN he connected. You are right about just one thing though, and that is, MT's defense was his offense, as you say. That said, ask any professional trainer or fighter and they will tell you that ANY fighter whose defense is their offense is going to get KO'd eventually, and that's exactly what happened to MT several times. Ask yourself the most meaningful question in this debate, why hasn't FM ever been beaten, or better still, ever been KO'd? FWIW if you think MT had what you call an other-wordly defense, I can see how you come up with your boxing theories. Look we get it, you don't like Mayweather for personal reasons, but, you're trying a bit too desperately hard to make the point by making stuff up as you go along. Relax, we can live with someone hating FM, and, he's probably not too broken up about the hating either.
I don't think you watched the same video that I posted LOL. He stood toe to toe with Gross and the guy threw a flurry of about 15 punches. Only connected on 1, which tyson rolls upward with, completely taking away its power. I didn't make up anything here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsB86DapR4s&t=555s 26:50 "In the history of boxing I have never seen a performance like that in 15,000 fight films." -Boxing Historian Steve Lott Also it is widely known that Tyson's skills began eroding after the spinks fight (fired his trainer) and began to moving away from the peekaboo style and the emphasis on the head movement. He's a master at it up until 89 against Bruno. From that fight forward, he stopped moving his head and started taking punches and eventually it caught up with him with douglas. The loss of the defensive skill was exactly what lead to his downfall. After the still impressive win against Bruno in 89, his former trainer rooney said, "I saw 100 mistakes."
Take both in their prime. Reach is about the same for both boxers. Tyson, in his prime was probably 50 lbs heavier than Mayweather, and hit like a Mack truck. Mayweather is a boxer, Tyson a bull charging attack fighter. I think Mayweather would have stayed clear for a couple rounds, even landed some good hits, but in the end, Tyson would overwhelm him and put him down on the canvas. Tyson in his prime was unstoppable. Knocked out Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks. It was the only KO in Holmes career. I think of his first 16 fights 12 or more were KO's, many 1st round. Interesting? Maybe. But I can't imagine a world where Mayweather would beat Tyson. I don't think McGregor has much of a chance in this one, but I'd love to be wrong. D
You're trying way too hard. Nothing you've said or produced disproves the fact that Tyson had a lackluster defense, which is why it didn't take long before he got KO'd. I will of course concede that he had devastating power, as will most people. That said, you all you have proven are 2 things: 1. You like Tyson. 2. You don't like Mayweather. I can live with both. Good points but note that Tyson never fought anyone who had the footwork, defense and boxing skill of FM.
And FM has never been hit by a mack truck. Tyson would only need to catch him in a corner once. FM would need to pound on Tyson for 12 rounds to get a decision. I think the weight difference is enough to tilt the scales to Tyson, who I like even less than I like Mayweather as a human being. They're both despicable. D
I don't have to prove anything. I let TWO boxing historians (Jim Jacobs and Steve Lott) who actually saw tyson fight close up prove it for me. If you think you're more knowledgeable than they are, or that their opinions are unwarranted, then fair enough. I was referring to Mike in his prime. And in his prime, he took guys out quick without getting hit, and the ones who went the distance with him also barely touched him. No bruises, cut eyes, nothing. And that is coming straight from the mouths of the people in charge of his career in his prime. Look at every post fight photo of him up until the Bruno fight. Not a scratch on him. And they both openly stated that he had the best defense/counterpunching ability of any boxer they have ever seen. I've seen Mayweather bruised/cut and bloodied plenty
Didn't Dana White sell out MMA? I guess he will still profit. Tyson would have beat the crap out of him. How many KO's does Mayweather have?
In an Apples for Apples hypothetical comparison we have to assume that they were both Heavyweights or the comparo is meaningless. That said, FM has better speed, foot movement, a better defense and is a better counter-puncher than Buster Douglas and the latter KO'd Tyson. Foreman was the feared Tyson of his day and Ali KO'd him. Note also that you can't KO someone if you can't catch them and I feel sure FM would make the adjustment to ensure he wouldn't be caught as he has done with many power-punchers. BTW, let's also note that Boxing as a sport is not a personality popularity contest so whether we like someone or not really doesn't count on the fight score sheet, a fighter's level of despicableness (is that even a word? ) has zero bearing on what actually happens in the ring - which is all most of us care about. Consider the source, what else would you expect them to say other than the claim that their charge was the best? The indisputable fact is that Tyson's mediocre defense was overcome by a great offense, as you yourself have stated earlier. My opinion isn't going to change on this one, sorry. The question you should ask is how many times has Mayweather been KO'd? Followed by, how many times has Mike Tyson been KO'd? The answers speak for themselves. That is funny!
Can somebody please school me on why Mayweather is despicable? I used to sort of like McGregor but am currently rooting against him in this match, due to his current level of jerkiness! What has Mayweather done to surpass Conor's level of unlikeability? Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
I don't think Mayweather is despised by some for his prowess in the ring. It all has to do with activities and behavior outside the ring. Could be his arrest record for battering women or just the way he flaunts his wealth. He's the one that has to look in the mirror everyday. None of us have to hang out with him or worry about those issues. We're boxing fans. His boxing skill is unsurpassed in the divisions he's represented and his marketing abilities are pure genius. A comparison to him and a prime Mike Tyson is an interesting fantasy but kind of silly. Apples and oranges.
Tyson would have wrecked him..... I don't see mayweather having much power in his punches...Tyson was almost 100 lbs bigger
Greg do you really think he's a jerk? In some home videos, and after loss interviews, he is an incredibly humble man. His genius comes from understanding self promotion, and when it's all said and done, him and Mayweather will bump fists, pocket $100MM plus, and move on with their lives.
Stick 50 lbs on FM and he might not be fast, evasive and a better counter-puncher. That's why you can't change the parameters of who they are, vs, who they might be. And that wasn't what was asked. It's not an, "If FM weighed 50lbs more could he beat MT." It's a head up, who would beat who. And no doubt FM in his prime wouldn't last against Tyson in his prime. But hey, if you want to skew it, then we should ask, "What if Tyson was a middleweight, would he beat Mayweather?" Not the same question, and maybe even dumber even that the original notion of TYSON v. MAYWEATHER. Joe, that's patently absurd. Of course it's about the personalities, always has been. Plenty of fights have been thrown so that a personality would win. Joe Frazier was the "Great white hope" when he went up against Ali. He was the pro-USA combatant against the anti-USA, draft dodging, name changing, "Cassius Clay." It's all about personalities. Fight judges see the personalities, and it sways them too. So does venue. MMA even more so. To think otherwise, well then we've been watching different boxing matches over the last years. And if you think a guy like Ali didn't get into the heads of his opponents with his "stuff," well, you're wrong. If the fighters were without these oversized personalities, the paydays would be 1/100 of what these guys get. Although I must say we're not in anything like a golden age for boxing, as this fight clearly points out.
I've had personal interactions with him years ago. When I was a senior in high school (2002), FM and I use to go to the same physical therapist ( a small but very high quality place). I was rehabbing a shoulder before going to college to play ball. A pretty good number of times, he and I would be in the gym at the same time and worked out "together" (meaning side by side on similar equipment). FM would show up with an entire entourage and treat every besides the owner and one other trainer like ****; like they weren't worthy of talking to him. They would show up in three vehicles if I remember right. All were either painted or wrapped in a dollar sign motif. I never understood why someone would need to be surrounded by a whole crew of lackeys to get some PT, but he did. Since working out along side him, I've never liked him. I supremely respect his abilities as a boxer, he's one of the best of all time, but he's an ******* (at least was an ******* back then). Mark
