Could a ''prime'' Mike Tyson truly beat the Buster Douglas of February 11th 1990?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by BoxerFan89, Sep 15, 2015.


Page 1 of 13
  1. BoxerFan89

    BoxerFan89 Active Member Full Member

    1,064
    8
    Jan 17, 2015
    Many people still seem to think that Tyson was past it against Douglas, so I ask, would a ''prime'' Tyson beat the Douglas who beat Tyson in 1990?

    I'm of the opinion, no. And here's why:

    The Douglas who beat Mike Tyson was a ring general. More importantly, he had no fear of Mike Tyson. The death of his mother caused something in Douglas...unleashed a fire that I haven't seen many fighters have, he had no fear of Tyson, and was ready to use every single ounce of his energy to defeat Tyson.

    He was in brilliant condition, he had a fast, razor-sharp jab which controlled distance; he knew exactly when to clinch and was able to physically push Tyson around.

    Honestly, I don't think many champions could have beaten the Buster Douglas of that fight, not even the Mike Tyson who destroyed Michael Spinks.

    Fighters who beat Tyson have credited Douglas for laying the blueprint, but honestly, the Douglas of that fight was 99% textbook perfect. Even the Mike Tyson who beat Spinks had some flaws.
     
    BoxerFan89, Sep 15, 2015
    BoxerFan89, Sep 15, 2015
    #1
  2. HerolGee

    HerolGee Loyal Member banned Full Member

    41,974
    4,030
    Sep 22, 2010
    likely he would have won on points, after being frsutrated by douglas jab, but its not a given.
     
    HerolGee, Sep 15, 2015
    HerolGee, Sep 15, 2015
    #2
  3. Webbiano

    Webbiano Boxing Junkie Full Member

    9,651
    2,539
    Nov 6, 2011
    He did drop Douglas. Tyson being a very good finisher would suggest he may well have stopped his conqueror. This is all hypothetical of course
     
    Webbiano, Sep 15, 2015
    Webbiano, Sep 15, 2015
    #3
  4. BoxerFan89

    BoxerFan89 Active Member Full Member

    1,064
    8
    Jan 17, 2015
    Douglas wasn't hurt.

    If you watch the clip, you'll see that Douglas gets up and makes sure to look at the referee. He was completely fine; and that's signified by the combination he landed in the next round.

    He took his time to get up and showed the ref that he wasn't hurt at all.
     
    BoxerFan89, Sep 15, 2015
    BoxerFan89, Sep 15, 2015
    #4
  5. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    14,436
    2,839
    Feb 18, 2012
    Douglas beat Tyson so convincingly he would have beat Tyson with Godzilla by his side in a Tag Team....
     
    Wass1985, Sep 15, 2015
    Wass1985, Sep 15, 2015
    #5
  6. Webbiano

    Webbiano Boxing Junkie Full Member

    9,651
    2,539
    Nov 6, 2011
    Douglas was definitley hurt. Looked sluggish when he got up and when he walked to his corner. I'm not saying he wouldn't have survived an onslaught had there still be time on the clock, but Buster's survival skills were far from exceptional, we have evidence of this. I don't support excusing Tyson for his loss, I don't think he was that far away from his best, but even a slightly sluggish, slightly off Tyson was still good enough to find that shot. Tyson at his best ever would be more dangerous, hence why I belive if he were to win it would be by KO.

    I may be putting myself under heavy fire by saying Douglas brings enough to the table for me to pick him in a matchup when both men are at their very best.
     
    Webbiano, Sep 15, 2015
    Webbiano, Sep 15, 2015
    #6
  7. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    10,844
    6,624
    Dec 10, 2014
    I think the Tyson that fought Tucker could outpoint the Buster that beat Mike. While under Rooney's tutelage, Tyson was good at slipping the jab of much taller guys. That would be key to beating Douglas. If he slipped the jab he could get inside Douglas's reach and land more of his own shots.
     
    Saad54, Sep 15, 2015
    Saad54, Sep 15, 2015
    #7
  8. BoxerFan89

    BoxerFan89 Active Member Full Member

    1,064
    8
    Jan 17, 2015
    How was he hurt? He got up at the perfect timing; he looked to the referee to signal that he was fine. This is why the ref probably let him continue; he looked at him and he wasn't shaky. And in the subsequent rounds, he was throwing combinations. Tyson caught him with a good shot, but it was hardly a KO shot. As soon as Douglas got up, he was ready to continue.

    Contrast this to Tyson getting knocked out; he had no idea where he was, and when he was getting up, he was stumbling around.
     
    BoxerFan89, Sep 15, 2015
    BoxerFan89, Sep 15, 2015
    #8
  9. BoxerFan89

    BoxerFan89 Active Member Full Member

    1,064
    8
    Jan 17, 2015
    I don't know if he could slip Douglas's jab. Douglas's jab was very similar to Rid**** Bowe, it was fast but powerful. Tyson hasn't really fought great jabbers aside from Douglas and Lewis.
     
    BoxerFan89, Sep 15, 2015
    BoxerFan89, Sep 15, 2015
    #9
  10. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    62,222
    47,234
    Feb 11, 2005
    He beat better fighters and was seconds away from stopping him as it was. So, yes.
     
    Seamus, Sep 15, 2015
    Seamus, Sep 15, 2015
    #10
  11. HerolGee

    HerolGee Loyal Member banned Full Member

    41,974
    4,030
    Sep 22, 2010
    this is basically it.

    he trounced a pantheon of world champions. douglas was lesser than them.


    It is normal to surmise therefore that he could win. It is the reverse of logic to surmise that he could not win, but kliturds may argue that is they wish, this forum is generally freespeech.
     
    HerolGee, Sep 15, 2015
    HerolGee, Sep 15, 2015
    #11
  12. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

    82,092
    22,176
    Sep 15, 2009
    Could? Yes.

    Would? I doubt it.
     
    lufcrazy, Sep 15, 2015
    lufcrazy, Sep 15, 2015
    #12
  13. Berlenbach

    Berlenbach Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,191
    1,252
    Sep 27, 2011
    Yes
     
    Berlenbach, Sep 15, 2015
    Berlenbach, Sep 15, 2015
    #13
  14. HerolGee

    HerolGee Loyal Member banned Full Member

    41,974
    4,030
    Sep 22, 2010

    why doubt it? he beat a whole set of better men.

    douglas did not beat a whole set of better men.


    it is therefore logical to assume that he would have a fair to good possibility of winning.

    it is reverse of the facts to assume the other way, with only that one fight supporting you (not withstanding that that was a loss for Tyson of course, and a bad one).
     
    HerolGee, Sep 15, 2015
    HerolGee, Sep 15, 2015
    #14
  15. uncletermite

    uncletermite Boxing Addict banned

    4,436
    44
    Aug 2, 2015
    I didn't know douglas was better than Tucker/holmes/Ruddock and even Spinks or Bruno?:lol:
     
    uncletermite, Sep 15, 2015
    uncletermite, Sep 15, 2015
    #15
Page 1 of 13