What would Tyson's career look like if he had more discipline?

No Lewis got knocked out because a big shot landed on his not so brilliant chin, see I don't give every excuse under the sun unlike a certain group of fanatics.

 

I don’t listen to Mike’s own take on his loses and partying, he is just protecting his legacy, its difficult to take it seriously unless backed up by other sources. I am in the camp that does believe he was under prepared for Douglas but I also agree that it was such a comprehensive beating that even a prepared Tyson would have had his hands full that fight. I would say a likely outcome there is that a Rooney Tyson could have lost on points and then got a KO over Douglas in a rematch, because Buster was so inconsistent. That performance was a one off.

As for Holyfield, I think back in 91 Tyson had a decent chance of winning that fight. He always respected Holy so would have been well prepared anyway. With Rooney on board I think his power and speed could overwhelm the smaller Holy who liked a war. It’s not inconceivable to believe Tyson could have him on the ropes at some point, ala Cooper. Tyson would have been all over a hurt Holyfeild. Its also easy to believe Holy had too much grit because the man was a beast, but he wasn’t invulnerable. Overall I see them two beating each other at some point prime for prime. Holy admitted himself that in their primes they could have been in the best fight of all time, I tend to agree, a great clash of styles that the 96 fight failed to deliver.

I agree with others that his biggest problem would have been Bowe, his size and skill would be a major obstacle, plus Bowe could take a punch. I think that could have well became the point that disciplined Tyson would sharply decline. Many say Tyson would go in there and blast Bowe out but there’s no way I see that personally, unless we are talking fat daddy Bowe.

 

I disagree, i believe Tyson would have an easier time with Bowe than he did with Holyfield or Lewis, because half of his job would be done by Bowe, he wouldnt have to go looking for him.

Lewis thoroughly outboxed Tyson, whereas Holyfield mainly pushed him around and took very little damage himself. Bowe was there to be hit and as Douglas found out, it only takes one shot.

Plus i do have my reservations about Bowes chin.

 

Bowe avoided so many punchers. If someone like Holyfield could easily wobble him, Tyson would do a number. I am pretty sure he will have a tough time dealing with Tyson's speed, combinations to the head and ofcourse Power.

 

I back Holyfield to be very competitive against even a peak version of Tyson because he did beat a decent version of Tyson.

However i can't take Lewis's victory to seriously. That Tyson was so washed up, i am surprised he last almost 9 rounds.

 

Tyson would beat the living **** out of Bowe and probably stop him on his feet.

And for those who believe Bowe couldnt be stopped.

Spinks, Holmes, Thomas, Biggs, Tubbs amongst others had never been stopped until they faced Tyson.

 

The point im making is both men fought a smart fight, something Bowe never did, not even once in his entire career.

Bowe with all his skills and size, show me one boxing masterclass of his ala Lewis/Tua, Ali/Williams etc

Yep, theres none.

Every fight of Bowes was a brawl, a war etc (Peak) Tyson is the one guy you dont want to be trading with, especially with a defence like Bowes (or lack thereof)

 

Bowe definately had the talent to be right up there. However we can definately agree his discipline and dedication was probably even worse than Tyson.

 

Anything Bowe did, Tyson did better.

The only thing Bowe holds over Tyson is the Holyfield victories.

Other than that Bowe shouldnt even be mentioned anywhere near Tyson.

Tyson on his way up destroyed journeyman Jesse Ferguson. Bowe defended the titles against him, years later instead of facing Lewis!

Heres a list of mutual opponents, Tyson performed better against every single one of them.

Thomas, Tubbs, Biggs, Mathis, Seldon and Golota.

Yes the same Golota who retired Bowe, was scared ****less against Tyson and walked out of the ring.

Tyson made 9 defences of his title, Bowe made 2 (Ferguson and Dokes).

Tyson lost his titles, went to prison, came back and won 2 belts and would have unified all 3 had he faced Moorer instead of Holyfield.

Bowe dumped his belt in the bin.

Tyson is broke and still has more money than Bowe.

 

If someone like Holyfield can have Tyson out on his feet then Bowe would knock him into clown cuckoo land, Tyson would have hell with Bowe's excellent inside fighting.

 

Tyson was dropped by Holyfield just as many times as Bowe was.

 

Tyson was stopped once more by Holyfield than Bowe was....

 

Tyson mostly did better against mutual opponents then both Lewis and Holyfield, still didn't stop him getting KTFO by them though...

 

Tyson had the right people around him. Cus was basically his father.

If Tyson became too disciplined, it could have taken away some of his best stuff. Sort of Like Foreman become more displaced after he lost to Ali and switched trainers. Foreman just wasn't the same guy.

Tyson was usually in good shape.

 

Actually no he didn't.
Holyfield beat Douglas, Tillis quicker than Tyson did, he also beat Tyson himself.

Lewis and Tyson had a mixed bag of results.