As time went on, Ribalta’s showing against Tyson became more & more respected. He took more blows from Tyson in this fight than most other fighters did combined. Respect!
The contrast between Ribalta’s menacing stare before the fight and that look of terror after Mike knocked him down with an uppercut……… priceless.
Damn, mad respect to Jose: being able to keep going through 8 rounds , while being minced by MT at all rounds , and still finding a way to drop aimed punches till the end is a feat that very few fighters would be able to replicate.
My favourite fight with Tyson. What a speed, what a strength. Tyson is a man of hard work and courage. As long as I live I have respect for Tyson. Ribalta had probably the strongest chin then.
Mike always moved in close anyway but he had to do it with an opponent who has this kind of reach advantage. But once he gets in close, he delivers the uppercut by dropping down and using his legs so he can throw his entire body into an upward strike. His shorter height is probably making it impossible to see the punch coming and if his opponent backs up to avoid an uppercut, he’ll run into a hook. And he throws every punch full force, which is amazing as a matter of stamina.
I knew Jose Ribalta we were friends back 1990 ,92 around that time. Ribalta was so good he actually became his chief sparring pathner. Jose spoke very, very highly 👏 about Tyson and his humanity, ethics, principles. They became good friends . Jose truly cared about him , And his character !!!
Any fighter that goes into the gym and doesn’t want to work on their own body to strengthen it needs to be shown this fight. Tyson brutalized ribaltas body and the man took all of those shots. True testament to focusing on working your body into a rock.