Beating Mike Tyson in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out! is notoriously difficult, requiring quick reflexes, precise timing, and a bit of luck35. Many players find him to be the hardest boxer in the game, and it can take months of practice to consistently survive the first round4.
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During the first minute and a half of the fight, Tyson throws rapid uppercuts that can instantly knock Little Mac down, regardless of his health5.
Landing frame-perfect punches (hitting within 1/60th of a second) is essential for a chance at a quick knockout37.
Tyson's patterns can be hard to predict, demanding that players react rather than anticipate his moves1.
Success requires a blend of skillful execution and favorable patterns from Tyson37.
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Quick reflexes are needed to dodge or block Tyson's devastating punches5.
Punching Tyson on the same side he throws his punch can inflict extra damage5.
The second round offers an opportunity to set up Tyson's health for a fast knockdown, as his patterns are somewhat less erratic47.
It's important to remain calm and breathe, especially during the intense first round4.
Many consider the difficulty of beating Mike Tyson to be equivalent to beating a few bosses in Dark Souls2. Some speedrunners have dedicated countless attempts to defeating Tyson, with one achieving it in under two minutes after five years of trying3. This required hitting all 21 frame-perfect punches and ten perfect dodges and ducks, with a bit of luck3.