I had to write down the patterns for TD Popinski. I couldn't react to his tells, so i basically had to guess. After getting my ass kicked in practice, consistently, i knew i would have to know his moves in advance.

Since every perfect combo lengthens the amount of punches you can get in on him each time, it was then easy to score a round-one TKO. Like SmashChu said above me, Round 1 TKO is really the only way to do it.

You really only need the first two patterns. By the third time he stands up, you can knock him down the third time immediately (you get over a dozen punches in, and he gets little help)

1: Hook, Uppercut, Uppercut, Step Right, Hook, Drink
2: Hook, Step Right, Uppercut, Uppercut, Step Right, Hook, Uppercut, Uppercut, Step Right, Step Right, Step Left, Uppercut

The trick with Bald Bull is to hit him with an extra jab or two when he snaps back into position after your retaliatory flurry. You can get an extra punch when he jabs, and two extra punches on his hooks. Sometimes you'll get a star for doing this, but I don't know the rhyme or reason behind it.

Super Macho Man is embarrasingly easy in TD.

Wow, people are having a hard time with Bald Bull, but easy time with Popinski.

For the record, all the World S guys (save Aran Ryan) are easier to TKO in round one. Most of the it is almost required lest you get stomped later on. Macho Man you can probably do without, but since he changes up his pattern, it's just easier to do it on him. For the other three, go for the TKO. It is a blessing on Sandman (although if you get the general idea, you can do it after the second knock down).

well I'm finally retired. Mr. Sandman wasn't to bad.  Have yet to beat Last Stand Secret character though.  He is pretty damn tough!

The trick with Soda Popinski is to duck everything except his uppercuts. You start the fight ducking his two hooks and grabbing stars by doing a delayed hook. You dodge his uppercut, hit him then unleash your two star punch. That gets you a great early fight advantage. Then the only moves you have to predict are the uppercuts, the rest you duck as soon as he moves.

I must say that TD Mr. Sandman's between-round taunts make me lol.

"Brush your teeth, Mac, it's bedtime."

Are people still playing this one? I finally tried multiplayer mode, and I'm wondering what the best general strategies are for next time.