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June 13, 1986-Mike Tyson’s left hook KO’d Reggie Gross – a hitman and mob enforcer now serving life in prison in South Carolina
1980sReminded me of Ali's rope a dope. Tire the bastard out.
Rope a dope only works if you can take a beating. Ali could, at least it seemed he could. But the long term brain damage was undeniable.
Part of what makes the rope a dope effective in taking blows, is that when you lean up against the ropes, every punch you take, its energy is greatly absorbed by the ropes elasticity as you fall back into them instead of your body absorbing the blows.
It’s still not exactly easy to take punches like that.
You’re right. I tried boxing as a teenager and did three bouts. Getting hit is brutal and there is no way those hits aren’t felt, regardless of ropes.
Sometimes the rope even makes it worse if you’re bouncing back toward the punch. Not fun.
Part of what makes a rope a dope effective is having a manager loosen the rope turn-buckles at each corner before the fight. Then you can lean waaaay back. And let Foreman wear himself out trying to land impossible jabs. Maybe.
Yeah, with respect, MT never resorted to rope-a-dope tactics.
He boxed expertly.
He went in close and fierce and - if he hadn't annihilated his opponent within a minute or two - used sheer talent and class to avoid being hit.
Ultimately (as the OP clip shows), it was his opponents who played themselves.
Tyson's skill - bobbing and weaving and vanishing beneath the shots like a ghost - is the exact opposite of rope-a-dope.
The sheer power of Iron Mike is what was advertised. I don't think a lot of people outside of the boxing world understood how graceful Mike Tyson is in the ring. I know I didn't until maybe 10 years ago. I always thought he was just a scary slobering pit bull. I didn't realize that he's actually a pit bull ballerina.
No 'class' is involved in any way, but otherwise fine points.
You can say that again!
Looks both ways That again.
Except Ali took damage.
Dont you mean the Homer Simpson?
Well, fustigation aside, Moe...
Except Ali took damage.
Mike looks more like Little Mac than Tyson here.
Dodge his punch then counter-punch!
He hits out of a crouch like Marciano.
Man, his right hand dropped a couple of inches for like a literal half a second. That guy was frightening in his prime.
He sourced that punch from about a mile below the earth’s crust, straight to the dome
And Tyson throws the exact same punch right at the beginning of the clip but Gross dodges it. A dozen punches later Gross is getting a bit winded from swinging and missing, and Tyson lands the haymaker.
I know next to nothing about boxing or most sports but I could watch Tyson bob n weave all day long.
Reminded me of Ali's rope a dope. Tire the bastard out.
It's better the second time
Would love to see Mike hit Jake Paul like that. Won’t happen but would be great if he did.
I think Jake Paul is just running a scam, he's like "ooh look at me, now I'm fighting {insert washed up previously legendary fighter} this time, surely he'll give me the beating I deserve on PPV".
It'll never happen.
It's not a scam, that's just the hook. He and his opponents are raking in the cash with these exhibition fights. Classic villain vs hero.
Promoting 101
- get you a guy people will pay to see get beat 2. Make sure he never gets beat 3. Profit
Scam was maybe too strong of a word. But I think his opponents aren't exactly inspired/motivated/incentivized to stomp the shit out of him, they have no skin in the game, and because of that he continually gets to blue ball everyone who wants to see him get walloped for 79.99 a pop.
Course they're not inspired to beat the guy giving them this huge payday win or lose. Why clip the golden goose?
Plenty of rumors about opponents being paid to take a dive.
Rumor was Mike got less of a payout if he knocked him out early.
Nah i think you got it right. Scam. Watch his Bomani Jones interview.
Yup. This is gonna be money enough to make it absolutely worth it for Tyson to take a hit on his rep.
Except Jake Paul is no one‘s hero. Tyson is no joke. Scary Jake Paul is crazy even to play this game, all he has to do is land one hit and he’s brain damage. Even an old progressive, Mike Tyson is a fucking beast.
Dude's 57 years old. I wouldn't personally want to fight him but I don't think he's the favorite.
Jake is the villain dumbass
What does 'progressive' have to do with anything?
It’s pretty much the business plan of all successful streamtubers. We’re in peak “look what I can do” culture.
We will never see him get knocked out like we all want him to be
But don't rule it out either!
I forgot they were even doing that. I’m not watching it. It’s such a spectacle but they have to have some sort of clause on not letting them get hurt or something.
Tyson has already been replaced due to health issues. There is talk of another fight down the line but not clear if it will happen.
Just wait a few days and check it out on YT
People forget how early Mike could move and pull a massive knock out hit out of nowhere.
Not the people who paid ppv for his fights. They were over before they began.
I remember several times as a child in 90s Ireland being allowed to stay up until 4AM to watch a Tyson fight that was over in less than a minute.
full popcorn and soda at 4AM in your pajamas
60 seconds later ok time for bed!
Tyson won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, including 12 in the first round.
“Paid ppv” is like “atm machine” or “I’m going to the upper UP of Michigan.”
VIN number. SIN number. SSN number.
That's part of the conspiracy about him. He was set up for the rape because buy rates were going down. People were fed up of buying fights that ended so quickly.
Literally no one ever forgot Mike Tyson knocking power
He had that real unique peek a boo style that Cus D’Amato invented for his fighters. One of the factors of his downfall was Don King convincing him to fire his coach Kevin Rooney, one of the only people alive familiar enough with the style to keep Tyson sharp after Cus died. After that he brought in a bunch of trainers who didn’t understand the fine points of the style and you could see him slipping, bobbing and weaving less, just going for the quick KO more and more.
Everyone commenting on how defensive Tyson is here: yah. Dude has always been a student of the sport. Even as a young kid, he watched footage of the greats, and worked HARD on technique. He was never just some bruiser with a mean punch. He has always been a boxer's boxer - Mayweather kind of more recently made more popular some of the stuff Tyson was doing in the 80s: Philly roll, shoulder defense, and classic peekaboo (big props to the other poster who noticed that!)
Yah, the man's had a rough life and did some things he's regretted. But you can't take the hard work away from him. Was he the best ever? Debatable, but maybe. Was he one of the best? Without question.
Well said. I watched Tyson train back in 1986 when he was coming up, and recently for the Paul fight. Outside of a slight drop in speed not much has changed. His evasive moves were/are quick and meaningful.
Not to mention Reggie up there was leaving his right side undefended while he dipped his chin in repeatedly throwing those long rights...surprised Mike didn't tag him hard earlier lol! If I'm fighting Tyson that left hook is what I'm fearing most in close. It's a knee wobbler :)
and Happy cake day
It’s hard to say who’s the best because there was always such a dominant force every generation of boxers and legends fall out of their prime. He’s top 3 no doubt.
I know everyone repeats the quote, but I think it's genius. Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.
Whether Tyson knew it or not, he was paraphrasing the great military strategist Helmuth von Moltke (the Elder): “No plan of operations extends with certainty beyond the first encounter with the enemy's main strength.”
I think he was just making excuses for sending troops to the east instead of keeping the right wing strong like Schlieffen said. lol
You're thinking of Möltke the younger.
Nice bit of history. Thanks.
The quote is actually “everyone hath a plan until they get punthed in the mouth”
Damn that's the punch that knocked out little mac.
Someone needs to add the sound effect of Little Mac getting knocked down to this vid.
Tyson's left hook was a force of nature. He'd just bob and weave, even taking a few hits here and there, until you gave him an opening. Then BAM!
Right in the kisser
Mike is known for his punch but that’s some grand bobbing and weaving before he throws the KO blow.
No one is better than Tyson at his peak. He was a destroyer of dreams 🤘
Always wonder if Mike had kept his shit together, what could’ve been
Yeah. I think he was used and abused by King. Also, the death of his mentor really affected him. He found his way back to himself, tho. God bless
His career as a mystery solver did go pretty well.
What do you mean what could’ve been he was the world champion did you expect him to fly to another galaxy and fight aliens?
He also lost a fight he shouldn’t have, spent time in jail and bit a mans fucking ear halfway off. Could’ve been world champion for a while if he’d have kept his shit together. If you can’t see the reasoning behind that then you’re in another galaxy
More like destroyer of brain cells. Mike was handing out CTE like it was candy.
More like enabler of dreamtime
😅
Plenty were better than Tyson in their prime. Tyson got knocked out by a 42-1 underdog in his prime. Evander Holyfield was obviously better than Tyson in his prime. Tyson's best wins were Berbick, Spinks and an old overweight Larry Holmes...hardly the resume of someone who could be considered the greatest.
Never said the greatest. No one is better at his prime, but thanks for those other stats 🤘
Yea but the point is that even at Tyson's prime, plenty would have been able to beat Tyson fighting in their own prime. I mean, Buster Douglas beat Tyson in his prime....
Honest question. Was Tyson still in his prime though when he fought Buster? I don’t think so. He had already basically just became a headhunter at that point.
Tyson was 23 years old when he fought Douglas....everyone going into the fight would have said that Tyson was still on top of the world at that point. Nobody was saying he was past his prime before that fight.
Tyson in his prime when he fought Douglas? You are delusional my friend. That Tyson would have lost against himself at 16 yo
You mean he would have lost 7 years before the actual Buster Douglas fight? Tyson was 23 when he lost to Buster Douglas. Going into the fight everyone still thought Tyson was in his prime. You are saying Tyson was not in his prime at 23 years old? That's nonsense
Tysons prime was at 19-20. By 23 he was drunk of success and out of shape. Didn't take seriously boxing nor training. The night before that fight was drinking alcohol and woke until late in his hotel.
Mental acuity must be taken into account. Tyson's mental weakness is what keeps him from even being a top 5 all time heavyweight let alone boxer. Muhammad Ali in his prime would have danced in Tyson's head even in Tyson's 20 year old prime. Tyson won most fights on mystique and intimidation. That would not have worked with some of the great heavyweights. Frasier, Foreman or Vitali Klitschko even would not have been even slightly intimidated. Klitschko would have towered over Tyson, had better punching power, stamina and foot work. Hell Vitali never even got knocked down in his entire career let alone knocked out. Riddick Bowe may have beaten Tyson but of course we will never know because the fight never happened. Tyson went into the ring with the two other greatest heavyweights of his time and they both handled him pretty easily. Lennox Lewis in his prime would still have beaten Tyson in his prime. Most people who call Tyson the greatest can't even name 3 fighters he beat. Tyson didn't fight anybody great when he was 19-22. When you're hanging your hat on beating Spinks and Berbick and that's supposedly the height of your greatness then I'm sorry but no, you don't get to be considered the greatest with that. Tyson was a product of a watered down division in the height of its popularity. Ali was beating the likes of Sonny Liston at 22. That's a far better feat than anything Tyson accomplished.
Ther speed of that last left hook. Surprised it did not break his jaw
Yes, but also the speed of the recording changes to make it look more dramatic.
Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge
throws wrench
Legendary defense
Reggie Gross is scheduled for release in 24 years. Rematch?
As a heavyweight, Tyson's ability to dodge and gracefully weave away from hammering shots at such close quarters is, IMO, unparalleled in boxing history.
His in-the-ring fame is focussed mostly on his sheer ferocity, speed and devastating punching power, but he really was an artist.
It's a tragedy what happened to him after Cus D'Amato died and he gradually slipped into the greazy grasp of Don King.
The deadly “peekaboo” style.
My favorite boxing clip ever.
his punches just sounded different when they hit. used to just wait for the "oh shit!" moment
From The Hip!
This is what it looked like every time I played Punch Out on NES.
Tyson just charging up his limit break and then nails it with a critical hit. Game Over.
God young Mike was such a beast
I was watching a highlight video of each of Tyson's knockouts the other week. It's just insane how powerful that dude was/is.
The man was practically untouchable in his prime, just amazing to watch.
Most people know Tyson for his power and speed, but this is a great example of his amazing defense: any one of those shots could have knocked him out. Gross looks like he has some heavy hands.
Tyson dodging them punches like neo in the matrix lmao
Good night Irene!
Tysons short stature was one of his strengths. The long armed guys needed to keep their distance but got too close. Then BOOM.
I'm convinced the uppercut that hit Tyson halfway through the clip would've decapitated any normal man
I'm wondering if it connected, or if Tyson narrowly dodged it.
Why you punch with your legs 101
Reggie was swinging like his last name was Jackson, or at least Mike makes it look that way. Mike just slipping away and then BAM, good night Reg.
Tyson's left hook always puzzled me? He reachs out to the side, then pulls his fist across a guys head; more like a cat paw stroke. Frazier's, and others hook, come from the waist line or lower on their sides. Tyson's is almost like a right cross, in reverse. Also, his opponents just sort of see it but don't do anything defensively, not already in motion?
Every one of Reggie’s punches is my attempt at a pick up line to a girl.
It’s pretty hard to hit a moving target. Loved watching Mike fight during my youth.
Thanks Mike.
Tyson- “wait for it… wait for iiiiiiiit….” POW!!
Used to watch a lot of boxing with my cousin in the 80s (he was a big fan, bought the Ring mag and all that) and I think we started seeing Tyson on the TV in the uk after 9 or 10 fights. Devastating every single time, gobsmacking to watch every single time, a true phenomenon. Yes a flawed character, yes had 'issues' but Holy moly what a fighter, I don't think we'll ever see the like again.
Oh yeah and just to add, I only wear triple black trainers. That's because of Mike Tyson.
Difference between early and late Tyson was head movement. He was Joe Frazier with more power.
And Reggie Gross is still laying on that canvas out cold now.
What an artist, long live IRON MIKE FUCKING TYSON!!
Anyone else think ‘Wa-POW’ in their head when he did the hook?
Yes, no, maybe…I don’t know
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. In this case, Gross got clobbered… wonder what his plan was?
The quote is an adaptation from a much older proverb about war… “no plan survives first contact with the enemy”. As it turns out, Mike Tyson was no dummy even if he acted otherwise.
Like a cat with a mouse.
Mikes KO power was unmatched at that time.
Tyson hit like a train, unbelievable strength
You can not contain the beast that is mike Tyson. I hope this happens and after Jake Paul’s jaw is unwired and his ruptured spleen is taken care of he can speak some truth, instead of making Tyson out to be some kind of joke… he simply does not understand
Left hook of doom.
The SPEED of that hook!! Holy Shit!
Gassed
Tyson just knocking people out!
Got beat by Tyson, took the easy way out.
That's Brooklyn right there 🙌🏾
Reggie gross
Needs a ding dong! SFX at the end, because Tyson rung that fucker's bell fo sho.
Reggie Gross repping Baltimore
Kids today will never know what an absolute force of nature Tyson was in the mid-80s. With his fights it was never a question of "will he win" but "how quickly will he annihilate his opponent." You'd see these schmoes trudge to the ring already looking beaten before they even stepped through the ropes. Who knows how incredible he could've been if Cus D'Amato (his trainer/adoptive father) hadn't died just as his career was starting to take off?
A rapist knocking out a mob. Nice.
Yep, convicted rapists are soooo cool. Should I tell your daughter or will you?
He paid his debt to society and put in real work to become a better person. Do you not believe in justice reform? Or do you want to see only recidivism?
Recidivism is a hard word to say
He can have his redemption, but his time in the spotlight should be over. You don't deserve a second chance for everything in live.
Besides people here are not chearing for the nice person he might have become, they are chearing for the violent unhinged person he was back then. Not despite of it either i think, but specifically because of his unhingedness.
Most people disagree with your view that people who did bad things should never have the spotlight again, hence, his popularity.
I don't think most people think to hard about these things. Mike simply is a charismatic person, so people like him/forgive him.
Public perception can be quite arbitrary, i mean most people find Mike more likeable than Nickelback, even though one is a rapist and the other makes mediocre musik.
If people viewed Mike Tyson as a rapist, they wouldn't like him at all. Rape polls very poorly. But most people don't view him as a rapist. Instead, they view him as a changed man who has fully redeemed himself and is deserving of the positive attention he gets.
You don't deserve a second chance for everything in live.
How does a person become better without a second chance? And a redemption is a second chance.
Boxing is a sport. He was good at the sport. As was Muhammad Ali. To praise him for his boxing skill is not the same thing as praising him for his violence at that time in his life.
What i meant was, he can have a second chance living a normal live, working a normal job, shure. He should not get a second chance being a celebrated famous person. There a simply so many other people that would deserve his spotlight instead.
Of course you can appreciate his skill at boxing and not his character, but i don't think most of the other people here have such differentiated viewpoint... I mean just look at the title of the post, many think of him as a hero, and that simply doesn't sit right with me.
6 missing replies
Tyson bobbing and weaving not taking any real damage from those glancing hits, opponent gets tired and then WHAM….fights over…