Mike Tyson vs Tim Witherspoon 1986

[mr. magoo]

I don't have anything on paper, but there was small talk going around here and there during the late 80's and early 90's, that Tim Witherspoon was the one fighter that the Tyson camp wanted nothing to do with. That of course, does not mean jack in the grand scheme of things however. I myself think that Mike Tyson - being the superior fighter and fairing much better against many of the same foes as Witherspoon, would win. A well trained and motivated Tim Witherspoon would be a challenge worth taking seriously though. He had balls, chin, heart, size, power and an awkward style that a lot of camps didn't like, and Tyson's was no exception. I don't see this as an easy match for Mike by any means, but I am confident that he'd win in one way or another.

[KidDynamite]

Spoon was stopped by Smith when Tyson was hunting for the belts

If he beat boneclutcher Tyson would've fought him and he would've been KTFO

[lufcrazy]

Originally Posted by Colonel Sanders

well he did

in 1985, Terrible Tim dominated Bonecrusher through 12

it was a terrible mismatch, I don't know what held Smith up

your argument is void

what argument is that?

[Colonel Sanders]

Originally Posted by lufcrazy

Well bonecrusher flattened spoon before the unification fight with Tyson. Had spoon beaten crusher it'd have been a 50/50 affair.

Knowing what I know though I'm gonna say mike knocks him out early.

Originally Posted by lufcrazy

what argument is that?

your comment just doesn't make any sense to me, the logic is flawed

when you say ''had Spoon beaten Smith, it would have been a 50/50 affair. Knowing what I know though I'm gonna say mike knocks him out early'', you totally disregard the fact that Spoon dominated Smith once in 1985 and that without the upset loss in the second half of 1986 (let's say Spoon fights Tyson after Bruno), Spoon would have been coming into the Tyson fight with 7 consecutive wins, one of which being over Smith, your own criteria to call Tyson-Spoon a 50/50 affair

[lufcrazy]

Originally Posted by Colonel Sanders

your comment just doesn't make any sense to me, the logic is flawed

when you say ''had Spoon beaten Smith, it would have been a 50/50 affair. Knowing what I know though I'm gonna say mike knocks him out early'', you totally disregard the fact that Spoon dominated Smith once in 1985 and that without the upset loss in the second half of 1986 (let's say Spoon fights Tyson after Bruno), Spoon would have been coming into the Tyson fight with 7 consecutive wins, one of which being over Smith, your own criteria to call Tyson-Spoon a 50/50 affair

I think you're missing my point so I'll try to reword it.

Had spoon not been knocked out by smith I think a unification fight with Tyson would have been seen as 50/50.

however that didn't happen. He did get knocked out by smith and consequently I think Tyson knocks spoon out.

[Colonel Sanders]

Originally Posted by lufcrazy

I think you're missing my point so I'll try to reword it.

Had spoon not been knocked out by smith I think a unification fight with Tyson would have been seen as 50/50.

however that didn't happen. He did get knocked out by smith and consequently I think Tyson knocks spoon out.

it sounds like you went from your own opinion on the fight to the general public perception, and back to your own opinion again



as for the KO loss, it is the result of the dumb WBA 3 KD rule, Spoon never looked like he could not possibly survive, who knows what would have happened without the rule (keeping in mind Spoon had already dominated Smith and how you can turn back the tide like Marquez did after a disastrous 1st round)

[TBooze]

Originally Posted by Sangria

Yeah I think Spoon keeps it tough for a few rounds like Pinklon Thomas did.

The under/over for Thomas/Tyson was I believe the fourth; an unproven rumour is Tyson could of had him out of there in the second, but carried him to the sixth...

[lufcrazy]

Originally Posted by Colonel Sanders

it sounds like you went from your own opinion on the fight to the general public perception, and back to your own opinion again



as for the KO loss, it is the result of the dumb WBA 3 KD rule, Spoon never looked like he could not possibly survive, who knows what would have happened without the rule (keeping in mind Spoon had already dominated Smith and how you can turn back the tide like Marquez did after a disastrous 1st round)

Yes thats exactly what I've done.

I think it would have been seen as 50/50 but with hindsight I pick Tyson by ko.

[Unforgiven]

Originally Posted by TBooze

The under/over for Thomas/Tyson was I believe the fourth; an unproven rumour is Tyson could of had him out of there in the second, but carried him to the sixth...

There's also at least one internet postor who reckons that Thomas let Tyson win in the sixth for similar reasons.

[Unforgiven]

Originally Posted by Unforgiven

First half of '86, Tim wins.
Second half of '86, Mike wins.

Witherspoon who fought Tubbs VERSUS Tyson who fought Tillis
= Witherspoon WINS


Witherspoon who fought Smith VERSUS Tyson who fought Berbick
= Tyson WINS

[mr. magoo]

Originally Posted by KidDynamite

Spoon was stopped by Smith when Tyson was hunting for the belts

If he beat boneclutcher Tyson would've fought him and he would've been KTFO

I can't use witherspoon's loss to Smith a gauge for much of anything. That fight reeked of a dive and the more I read or hear about it, the more I'm inclined to believing such. Furthermore, I don't buy into the concept that if fighter A beats fighter B and B goes onto beating C, then A most definitely beat C as well. Boxing doesn't work that way. In either case, I agree that Tyson should be favored over Witherspoon, but not for the same reasons you're going by.

[Unforgiven]

Yeah, Witherspoon was seriously distracted going in to the Smith fight. He didn't want to win that fight at all.

[Sangria]

Originally Posted by TBooze

The under/over for Thomas/Tyson was I believe the fourth; an unproven rumour is Tyson could of had him out of there in the second, but carried him to the sixth...

I've heard this too. I also heard that someone supposedly shouted from ringside, "Wait for the 6th round, Mike!"