Lewis never beat anyone with Tyson's skill and power. In fact, Lewis got stretched in under 2 rounds to Tyson's sparring partner.
McCall isn’t a bum, and that also shows that heavyweights have real power and that flukes can happen to anyone regardless of skill. I’d say if Lewis lands a big shot early he would make Tyson very hesitant. Lewis also knew how to tie guys up, Tyson was very vulnerable to the clinch, and Lewis would keep his distance and just take the decision imo.
Great fight, I'd go with Lewis but Tyson could get the KO early. I see prime Lewis wearing Tyson down for a decision if he were to win.
Tucker moved very well and it was 12 rounds. Tucker in his prime was a much more fluid mover than Lewis.
I think Tyson got this one. If Tyson went 8 rounds with Lewis when he just wanted to pay for his bills then there's no way a motivated Tyson is gonna get knocked down, even Lewis was surprised with how much punishment Tyson took during their fight. Tyson also took clean bombs from Ruddock without even flinching meanwhile, Lewis got knocked out by Rahman and McCall in the early rounds but he was partying and also didn't train that much for those two fights so it's like the same with the Douglas loss but Tyson went 10 rounds with Douglas and he went down by a 4 - 5 combo from Douglas but Lewis got ko'ed by one punch.
Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis meet in ring center awaiting the instructions of referee Mills Lane. Lane finishes the perfunctory words and as the fighters walk back to their corners trainers Kevin Rooney and Emanuel Steward give some last second instructions and encouraging words to their respective charges. The bell rings and Mike Tyson bolts from his corner intent on inflicting damage. Lennox Lewis immediately initiates a bear hug like clinch. Lane jumps between the combatants and quickly separates them. Tyson presses forward bobbing and weaving. Lewis tries a jab but Tyson easily slips it. He follows with a lunging left hook that misses but a tentative Lewis falls backward and initiates another clinch. Lane separates them but with Lewis near the ropes Tyson lands a wicked right hook to the body followed by a right uppercut. It doesnt land full force but Lewis desperately grabs at Tyson and succeeds in initiating yet another clinch. Tyson clearly has the faster hands and is getting off his punches first. Lewis is reactive and having trouble initiating any offense. The bell rings. Tyson clearly won the round. Between rounds Steward tells Lewis he cannot win if he does not fight a positive fight. He must initiate and win exchanges. If he continues in a reactive posture he will get run over. Lewis opens the second round pumping his jab Tyson expertly slips the jabs and moves in landing to the body. Lewis ties him up. Upon separation, Lewis holds his ground and shoots out a right uppercut that is partially blocked. But Tyson seems surprised by the blow and moves away to regroup. Lewis springs forward and lets his hands go. Tyson is forced to hold on. The two wrestle and Lewis uses his size advantage to push Tyson off. The bell rings. It is clearly Lewis's round. Between rounds Rooney acknowledges Lewis won the round. But he tells Tyson he's taken Lewis's power well. He implores Mike to work his way inside, jabbing and using head movement to get under Lewis's shots. Tyson nods and glares across the ring at Lennox letting him know he is still full of confidence. The bell rings . Lewis jabs and attempts to move laterally. His hands are at chest level and he looks awkward. The movement is not fluid. Tyson slips a jab and counters with an overhand right. The blow lands on Lewis"s temple and he immediately wobbles. Tyson springs forward with both hands blazing. Lewis desperately looks to tie Tyson up but before he can do so, Mike lands a huge right hand that dumps Lewis near the ropes. Lennox valiantly rises on unsteady pins. Lane asks him if he's alright and looks into Lewis's glassy eyes. He instructs Lennox to take steps forward and he obliges but stumbles a bit. Most in the crowd sense that Lane will stop the fight. Instead he allows the action to continue apparently wanting to give Lewis the chance a champion deserves. Lewis tries an uppercut as Tyson rushes in but Tyson lands first with a right hand. The punch catches Lewis on the point of the chin with his hands at his sides similar to the way Ernie Shavers felled Larry Holmes. Lewis falls as if shot., his eyes ares closed. At the count of Five, he opens his eyes and rolls over. He attempts to rise but his spaghetti legs will not support his weight. Lane waves it off and a jubilant Tyson is mobbed by his ecstatic handlers.
