Would tyson have always lost to holyfield in 91 "?

The first 3 rounds would tell the story. No version of Tyson beats 12 rounds of Holyfield, if that makes sense.

 

I'd go a step further and say that the version of Holy that beat Tyson in '96 and '97 beats any version of Tyson more often than not.

Yes, Tyson was past his best for those fights, but to me it's still clear that Holy had him figured out.

 

Even when Tyson landed well Holy didn't seem that bothered. And he closed down the space so well that I think even prime Tyson would have a hard time getting any follow ups or combos going.

Even in his prime, Tyson's gameplan was very much centered around taller fighters pulling back in straight lines, giving him space for those great combinations. Douglas off-set this by moving laterally and Holy by tightening up and shrinking the space. Tubbs did something a bit similar, but just didn't have the power or punch resistance to be successful. Holy, on the other hand, wasn't more faced by Tyson's power than Tyson was by his his. If the same had been true for Tubbs, I think he might well have won as well.

 

You have to LOOK at the year not the fighters. Holyfield was not as strong then. He was more naturally closer to 200 pounds.Watch the Bowe fight he weighed 205 in the first one and 217 in the second fight .Total differance in body type.Against Tyson he would have to match a more Quicker better technical and mentally tougher one than the one he did in 1996 and be around 210 in THAT year.

Holyfields weakness has always been the uppercut punch,and that was Tysons most brutal punch when landed correctly. In 1991 ,Bert Cooper ( Tyson's replacement) almost knocked out Holyfield ,he had a similar style but was NO Tyson .

Holyfield weighed in at 210 for that fight at that was about what he weighed. The Holyfield who showed up in 1996 appeared far stronger looking than any point in his career and that should be obvious no matter what he weighed.

Weight here is a big issue...a stay at mid range fighter who weighed less or around 210 trying to get a win on Tyson? We all know Holyfield was a counter puncher himself and a better one at THAT time,however Tyson would force this into a brawl if not have the ability to get inside against a willing engager and in all likleyhood with his THEN speed and better accuracy lands on Holyfield and knock him out .

Holyfiled would not hurt Tyson and that should be evident ,just watch the Tyson / Ruddock fight. Holyfield simply would be outsized and LESS prepared than he was in 1996 going up against a more closer to prime Tyson. look at the wars between Holyfield and Alex Stewart and that will give you an idea of that 1991 fight.

Tyson by k.o .

 

I agree, thats some good points you made there. I guess I should revise my first comment above, as this is not really a fantasy fight. The fight was going to happen, the 1991 version of both fighters! With that said, I agree with some of your points, would have been very interesting.

 

I agree with this breakdown.

 

Tyson is not 6'2 and certainly not an above 220 pound fighter at his best. His style was that of a precision counter puncher getting in when an opponents missed and immdediately punching back.Tyson at above 220 lost that and alot of head movement and footwork to set those counters up. Cus always wanted him at 215/217. Those couple pounds for a short compact guy and style made a differance.

Going on the years passed due to training less ,he lost that accuracy and movement.He weighed right against Holyfied but was not the 1991 more technical guy with faster combos that lost in the late 1990's. If these two had fought in the 80's its not even a question for me who wins. He hit Holyfield with one shot punches in 1996,he had him stumbling with just one uppercut and could not follow up. This tells me alot with the much more less effective Tyson THEN vs a strong Holyfield who really could only lose that fight against Tyson if Tyson had SOME head movement to avoid the barrage of punches he took. if he couldnt counter the counter style he was in a losing fight.

I cant see Tyson in 1991 being so easily manhandled or Holyfield stopping his forward progression. Tyson was also utilizing the jab still and vicious body punching too.

 

Holyfield was simply not strong enough to handle Tyson in that period. It took years of steroid consumption and weight training for him to truly settle at heavyweight. Holyfield in the early 90s was still a cruiser masquerading as a heavy and it was evident. He struggled against most competent fighters, even trial-horses like Cooper and Stewart (whom Tyson crushed in short order).