Why was amateur Mike Tyson not as ferocious and powerful?

[spacetime]

If you look at some of his amateur bouts, like the one against Henry Tillman, he is clearly not as powerful puncher and dominant as he would be as a pro.

What prompted this change? Did Tyson bulk up to punch harder? Late bloomer?

I don't think it's the same fighter.

 

[SuwoopBangin]

He was an amateur

 

[Sir Punchalot]

Mike Tyson a "late bloomer." <45>

 

[spacetime]

Mike Tyson a "late bloomer." <45>

If we go by his amateur record compared to his pro, then yes.

 

[burningspear]

If you're fishing for a PED accusation, fuck off.

 

[nac386]

Maybe because he was a teenager?

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

If you're fishing for a PED accusation, fuck off.

This

 

[D 1 Wrestler]

If you're fishing for a PED accusation, fuck off.

yea mike was apparently one of the only elite pro athletes in the 80s who was not using PEDs

 

[burningspear]

Yawn. The mother of all evil is speculation.

 

[spacetime]

If you're fishing for a PED accusation, fuck off.

I'm not. I just don't get how such a radical change could occur in a very short timespan. He went from a beatable amateur to "the man to beat", "Iron Mike" etc.

 

[Boxiana]

He was 17. When you get to that age you’ll probably feel stronger than you do now, and by the time you’re 21, well, who knows.

 

[spacetime]

He was 17. When you get to that age you’ll probably feel stronger than you do now, and by the time you’re 21, well, who knows.

So? Tyson went pro just a year later and cleaned out divisions.

 

[4daLuLZ]

If you look at some of his amateur bouts, like the one against Henry Tillman, he is clearly not as powerful puncher and dominant as he would be as a pro.

What prompted this change? Did Tyson bulk up to punch harder? Late bloomer?

Because your mother dumped him.

 

[BillytheFish]

Because your mother dumped him.

This makes the most sense. Thread closed.

 

[spacetime]

I'm the only one reflecting on how someones in a year goes from a beatable amateur to a 30+ winning streak??

 

[Boxiana]

So? Tyson went pro just a year later and cleaned out divisions.

Why don’t you share your theory?

 

[spacetime]

Why don’t you share your theory?

I started the thread in hope of one.

 

[borntoloseNOT]

LOOK at Hearns! No pop as an ammie, a fucking missile after Steward got ahold of him.

 

[spacetime]

LOOK at Hearns! No pop as an ammie, a fucking missile after Steward got ahold of him.

True. But Tyson lost his mentor. Maybe that motivated him. Something happened. Something focused the mind and raised his level tremendously. His true potential came out.

 

[DeJulez]