Remember that Tyson peaked early and Lewis peaked later. When they fought Tyson gassed after 2nd round, he was old and out of shape. But in 1st round he fought like in his younger years and dominated. Prime Tyson definetly beats Lewis, Klitschko, Joshua, etc. I'd say prime Ali and prime Holmes are the only fighters who could beat Prime Tyson
Favoured: Ali, Lewis, Foreman, Liston and Vitali. 50-50: Louis, Holmes, Frazier, Wlad, Fury Maybes: Marciano, Holyfield, Bowe,
We'll never know for sure who would have won had the best version of Tyson fought the best version of Lewis. But we do know Lewis will be ranked higher by most as he beat better men than Tyson did. He beat Holyfield who Tyson lost twice too, he destroyed Ruddock who Tyson had 2 tough fights with, he reigned for longer and when they could have fought closer to their primes Tyson paid money to side step Lewis and then dropped the title instead of facing him as Lewis had expected.
Lennox was still in the amateurs when Tyson was at his peak. The thing to remember with matching Tyson in his prime up against anyone is that they're going to get hit hard & often. No-one fought Tyson in his prime who that didn't happen to. So if you want to beat Tyson in his prime, you have to be able to cope with getting hit hard & often by him. Like Tony Tucker did. The question then becomes, could Lennox cope with being hit hard & often?
This would be a much more convincing argument if there was a name on Tyson's resume that was comparable to Lewis.
No, just no. Prime vs. prime Mike would have to get to Lennox early. By mid to late rounds it will heavily favor Lewis by UD or late stoppage.
Lennox was the best H/W of the 90's. Tyson was the best H/W of the 80's. Everyone knows the 80's were better than the 90's. The only people who don't know that weren't around then.
There's no definites in these historic match ups. If anyone claims some fighter definitely beats another fighter they don't know what they are on about. That said Tyson had legitimate trouble with Tony Tucker and I believe James Tillis.. Well Tucker for sure. He was very underrated had v good movement. He troubled Tyson in the fight by simply moving, and he landed numerous right uppercuts that looked not to wobble Tyson but buzz him certainly. Its in those fights that, although close and good wins, that it was clear there were vulnerabilities to his style. He just looked frustrated following them around and would often get caught by right uppercuts and found it himself hard to land. I definitely think Bustr Douglas' performance is inspired somewhat both by Tillis and Tuckers performances against Tyson
Prime Lewis would have given Tyson major problems. That long jab and huge body of Lewis would have frustrated him. Lewis moved pretty good for a big man and had good athleticism and stamina. He wasn’t my favorite in terms of entertainment but this fight would have been very difficult for Tyson. Tyson had the ultimate equalizer but Lewis would have kept him on the end of that jab and leaned that big body on him all night, making it hard to land the big shots. I think prime Tyson would have beaten Hollifield but the big guys like Wlad and Lewis would have been very difficult for him.
