Before he was an ear munching loon...

[spud_gun]

he was actually a f'king good boxer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvZ2roRDPYU&mode=related&search=

[Red Chilli]

At his peak, no-one could live with him. He was a punching machine.

I think he basically self-destructed but was assisted in that by a combination of Don King and prison.

[Darth Marty]

Agree with both of you...he was an absolute monster and I think its a shame that we will all remember the post prison Tyson as opposed to the young Iron Mike. I think he was the most destructive boxer ever in his prime and by god was he good to watch. I remember my old man telling me back in the day that there was no way he could have a long career fighting like that. Seems he was right. (in so much as a long, SUCCESFULL career anyway)

****ing shame as Tyson is still up there with my personal fave boxers af all time.

[Red Chilli]

He was always vulnerable to getting caught whilst coming in, but his speed as a younger man negated that weakness. Post prison he was never anywhere near as sharp and Hollyfield caught him coming in in their first fight.

[Darth Marty]

Again I agree, but as you touched upon, a younger tyson had the speed, power, hunger and ****ing awesome neck/chin to just walk through opponents. He was a boxing animal at that stage and I loved him!! (as a boxer)

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Shame for Tyson that he was a black boxer and people have used his colour to either credit or discredit him at various stages of his career. I personally feel he just enjoyed getting in the ring and beating the **** out of people. His will to become a missionary after his Oz style conversion to Islam seemed like a last stab at regaining some credibility.