McCall wasn't a bum but his punching power and skill were mediocre considering he couldn't knock out a very old Holmes and Frank Bruno beat him .These went 12 rounds with McCall easily but Tyson destroyed them quickly.This proves Lewis was much more vulnerable than Tyson because this limited McCall could destroy him in the second round.
Tyson by Ko. Here's why, in my opinion prime Tyson is all wrong for prime Lewis. Lewis was excellent at long range, and would be extremely dangerous to any heavy in history from long distance. But Tyson was exceptional at getting in close , and had the foot speed, skills and mind set to get their where he would do his damage. Lewis's foot speed was always average, he wouldn't be able to pivot away, or slide to the side of a rushing aggressive fighter like Tyson. Prime Tyson would also have a advantage in hand speed. If Lewis fought with the physicality of Foreman, this could turn into a blow out for him. Lewis had great size and reach, and looked like he should be very physically strong, and would have a substantial weight advantage. But he never demonstrated that type of physicality in his career. He was more stand -up European style boxer that typically fought at long range. He was effective at tieing opponents up. But he didn't take advantage of the opportunity to hurt his opponents in that situation. It was proved by far lesser skilled fighters than prime Tyson was that Lewis could be K'oed in his prime. Tyson took fantastic shots from Ruddick, Bruno, and other big punchers in or close to his prime without serious effects. He usually got K'oed by accumulation of punishment. The only advantage prime Lewis would have over prime Tyson would be a substantial, height, reach, and weight advantage. Tysons advantages would be speed, power in both fist, skills, counter punching, chin, and aggressiveness. I like Tyson with in 10 rds. Lewis would be much more effective against Ali ( Though he still loses) than Tyson.
Lewis stops him late. If Lewis was dialed in, the chin thing wasn’t an issue and he could fight well if he fought scared. He’d be very fearful of Tyson’s power and know when to clinch and lean on him and that would frustrate Tyson and Lewis would eventually get working the jab, then the jab and right hand and Tyson would struggle to take that all night. Lewis was a better fighter, has the style advantage and was a smart fighter. Baring a bit of a fluke, couldn’t see Tyson beating him.
Pre-Steward Lewis gets knocked cold in 4 rounds. Steward-era Lewis (say around the time of Golota) stops Mike in 8...not dissimilar to what he did five years later, only Mike would have done better overall,
Great argument, but I feel like your underrating Lewis a bit, yes he didn’t always take advantage of the opportunities he had to really hurt his opponents but when he did they were very devastating results. Lewis also had power in both hands . I also feel like he was just a lot mentally stronger than mike and can stay focused and stick to his game plan all night. I don’t see him having an easy fight with mike but I’m pretty sure he can beat him.
This is a hard one. Lennox was stopped by Rahman and McCall right? He was not right, but a flaw was found. And Mike? I go back and forth on this. I might have said Lennox before, and now I don't know. Lennox was so much bigger, but if Mike can land early.. I don't know. Probably Lennox but not by much. His chin was not great.
Lol at both your screen name an profile pic. I want to see wind-up-toy-guy (whatever his name is) fight Ned Flanders, in an elimination bout to face Mexica Synthol Man who trow ponches een slow motion.
A fighter can have a brief career despite their success, Bowe had a great 95', knocking out Holyfield and Gonzalez but was shot by 96' when he fought Golota.
I just can't see any version of Lewis beating 80s Iron Mike, though I do absolutely see Lennox as a greater ATG overall. Tyson in 4.
Bowe was shot by Holyfield 3 he was very lucky to get an ill Holyfield that had stamina problems. If he faced the Holyfield from Tyson 1 he would have easily been stopped.