Sporting Inspiration. . .

When it comes to Sport, I happen to be an Avid Boxing Fan and the Sport, while seen by some as brutal and violent, is to Myself a sweet Science and wining in the ring is just as much to do with the Mind and Mental Strength as it is on the ability to throw and land power punches.  You need only look to anumber of 'Iron Mike's' opponents who lost to Tyson before they stepped in a ring with Him because of Tyson's attitude and Style of coming out of His corner like a pissed off Grizzly Bear. When Tyson fought Michael Spinks the fight was supposed to be Tyson toughest opponent yet with Spinks, like Tyson, boasting an undefeated record and was the Lineal Champion Holding Ring Magazine's World Title. Tyson Held the WBA, WBC & IBF World Titles. All of the titles were on the line with winner crowned 'Undisputed Heavyweight Champ.'

 At the time the fight was the biggest revenue grossing bout ever with Tyson's share being $18,000,000 & Spinks 13.5 Mil.  Spinks came in to the ring first and as He stood awaiting Iron Mike's entrance He looked like a man who was in front of a firing squad. He was terrified of Tyson's aggressive and ferocious fighting style and when the announcement declared 'Seconds Out, Round One' it was all over 91 seconds later with Spinks flattened on His Back.

Anyway, that Isn't My sporting Inspiration. A young Man who watched Tyson Win His WBC World Title (Known to the boxing World as the Green Belt that has prestige attached to it. A young tall, lanky, skinny boy in the Ukraine told His friends all about this great fighter called Tyson who is World Champion, the kids Name was Vitali Klitschko. 

 Vitali told 5 or 6 of His young friends "When I get older, I am going to win that WBC Belt that Tyson has now and I will become Champion of the World. His friends responded by laughing at such a stupid statement and told Vitali He would never ever be a boxing Champion let alone the WBC Heavyweight Champion. 

 Twenty years later, returning to His native Ukraine, Vitali went to visit all six of them with a case that when he opened it revealed A Green Belt inscribed 'WBC Champion' and Vitali said:  "See, I told you!"

  https://youtu.be/TBMIOaF8G3k

Younger Sibling Wladimir is probably the better known of the Champion Brothers but Vitali,Vitali was by far the superior Boxer in all departments. 

 "If I'd have listened to everybody else, I wouldn't be standing here now as WBC Champion because everybody told Me I could never do it. You must believe in yourself and not the those who tell you you can't achieve a goal or ambition! 
 
 Klitschko Motto: Failure is not an option.

Ali has to be considered the greatest boxer of all time. Tyson was fun to watch. Holyfield as well.

Here is the link you poster. Very cool video

Rocketman wrote:Ali has to be considered the greatest boxer of all time. Tyson was fun to watch. Holyfield as well.

Here is the link you poster. Very cool video

 I am a big fan of Iron Mike, In His prime He was a fantastic Boxer which He rarely gets given credit for because His Speed for a Heavyweight was unmatched at that time with A K.O ability in Both right & left hand.

 Ali is referred to as the Greatest but that Title was Self-Given. Don't get me wrong, Ali was 'A Great' but not the Greatest.  Ali's was no match for Smoking Joe's left Hook and He sent Ali sprawling and beat him via UD.  He ended His career with a record showing 61 Fights, 56 Win & 5 losses which is a brilliant record and clearly one that can and does only belong to those that are World Champions. Ali, I have always thought anyway, was always referred to as 'The Greatest of All Time' for what He stood for and achieved outside of Boxing just as Much as He did in it.

 If a debate of The Greatest of All Time is brought up, then I know a lot of boxing's insiders who know their stuff will tell you Rocky Marciano who retired with a Record of: 49 Fights, 49 Wins, 0 Losses with 43 of His 49 Wins coming by way of Knock Out. So if being the best fighter of all time is discussed, then Marciano has a record that speaks for itself.

Have a look at this, it shows not Tyson Knocking opponents cold that everyone remembers Him for, but this is Tyson's in-ring Skill and great boxing ability:

   https://youtu.be/_W2iGbwn1Qw?t=1m57s

I could take Tyson in a fight!

Not really. I was 7-1 as an amateur boxer years ago, but he would decapitate me with one punch.

Ali vs Tyson when they were both in their prime would have been a hell of a fight.

Wow, haven't heard the name Rocky Marciano in a while. He was a badass!! I saw his nephew play football when he was in college back in the 80's.

I once boxed professionally. The Referee I heard issuing a Count:

  "THREE.....FOUR.....FIVE.....SIX....SEVEN...." at which point I interrupted with:

 "You can count all you want! I am not coming down off the roof!"

 
 First instinct when you mention a hypothetical bout between Tyson & Ali is to go with Tyson by KO by overwhelming Ali  with His trademark bombs or rights and lefts but then, as this come's to mind, so Does The Rumble in the Jungle. 
 Nobody gave Ali a sniff of a chance against George Foreman who to this day probably remains the most powerful and hard hitting  Heavyweight there has ever been. Smoking Joe Frazier had not only beat Ali, but dominated and bashed Him up over the 15 Rounds. Frazier then took on Big George who utterly destroyed Joe Frazier scoring A TKO Victory in Round 2.

 Had Ali gave us His game-plan before the fight of His now Legendary Rope-a-Dope and allow Foreman to punch 7 bells out of Him until He punches Himself out by Round 7 where Ali  will make His Move by throwing two lefts and a right that find's Georges Chin to knock Him out, the Boxing Governing Body would have likely questioned if He had taken one too many punches to the old bonce because to stand still in front of Big George and allow Him to unload rights and lefts was considered a likely suicidal tactic and yet, Ali did the unthinkable and Knocked George out,.

Tyson and his powerful punches vs Ali with his swift dancing and quick striking ability would have been the greatest match ever.

Speaking of George Foreman, sorry to get off topic, he is doing a TV show with Henry Winkler, William Shatner and Terry Bradshaw where they go around the world and experience different cultures. I have only seen one episode but it was pretty good. I forget the name of the show. Have you seen or heard of it? Foreman is great on the show. Such a likeable guy.

I don't know about George and a new show. I do, however, know that at the next Zodiac 'Gathering' I shall get sandy to ask Tom His opinion of Me and when He starts to bash My research and character the lights will go down, and the toll of the bell will begin and, what is this....A hooded figure upon a spiral staircase: The Welsh Entrance. . .

(Starting at 20 seconds of the following clip)

 

Coming to the debate.....WELSH CHAPPIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE to K.O OOOOOOOOOO

At this point Tom will be ripping away at the locked door knob while screaming "HELP! HELP! LET ME OUT!" Repeatedly.

But as for Iron Mike, He has certainly calmed with age. I loved His stage show He did a few years ago talking about His life

 He recalled the time He had gone round to His estranged Wife Robbin Givvens home and got no answer and as He was leaving, saw Her coming up the drive. Mike said:

 "She wasn't alone either. Who happens to be with Her?? Only Brad Pitt! This Mother F***** was pleading and begging "Mike, Mike, we just friends Mike. Don't hit Me Mike, not in the face! Don't hurt the face Mike" and Mike said "I was like 'Man what is She doing with this pretty faced White Mother F*****? I didn't know whether to hit him of F*** Him!" 

 His impersonation of former opponent Mitch Green was absolutely side splitting as Tyson donned the afro wig and spoke like Mitch did which is seen in a clip here:

 https://youtu.be/l-x4fpmqL3g?t=3m3s

Man, I would pay to see you throw down with Tom. That would be classic! I wish I could get back into boxing, but I'm 15 years older and 60 lbs heavier than I was back then.

Tyson is the best ever. end of story