BALAK bumalik sa ring ni Iron Mike Tyson at nagpakita ito ng bagsik sa ensayo na hinangaan ng makasaysayang trainer na si Teddy Atlas.
“Mike Tyson was speed and power – the heavyweight Manny Pacquiao,” pahayag ni Atlas.
Ang unang pagsalang sa training ni Tyson ay napanood ni Atlas at nagustuhan niya ang istilo ng dating undisputed heavyweight champion at kinumpara niya ito sa generational star Manny Pacquiao.
Si Atlas ang humubog sa talento ni Tyson ng teenager pa lang ang kampeon bago sila naghiwalay ng landas.
Sa kasagsagan ng paghahari ni Tyson noong 1988, ang lakas ng heavyweight champion ay ideyal na maikukumpara kay Pacquiao.
“We’ve had great punchers who can punch like Wilder with the right hand,” pahayag ni Atlas. “(We had) unbelievable Ernie Shavers, (the) unbelievable Max Bear back in the 30s. Unbelievable with the right hand.
“Joe Frazier with the left hook was devastating, but to be able to punch from both sides of the plate (something) like Mickey Mantle, the great switch hitter. He hit with power on either side.
“Tyson was that. Then you mix it with speed, he was a large version of Pacquiao, where you have speed and power in a big guy. It was incredible.”
Kongklusyon ni Atlas: “Tyson was an unbelievable mix of physical ability. His technique was the right technique to peekaboo and exploit. To really take advantage of his speed and to make a guy miss.
“Tyson could slip and weave and punch. He could be in a position to Bang! Bang! – Explode a bomb with power and speed.
“He was tremendous but he came up short on the mental side.”
Ang nasabing pagkukumpara, lalo na sa boksingero na lumitaw pagkaraan ng henerasyon ni Tyson ay isang testamento kay Pacquiao.
Ang Filipino Senator ay matatandaan habambuhay bilang tagapagmana ni Tyson.