How would the Mike Tyson of the Bruno rematch do against the James Toney of the Evander Holyfield fight. I picked these versions of these fighters as they were not prime, but still very good versions - making it a fair contest. I think Mike takes this via UD or late stoppage, with it bring similar to the Mathis Jr fight, but lasting longer, being more entertaining & more competitive. He still had top level speed, power & angles - which Toney never saw (except with Jones) & would get overwhelmed.
Bad style match for toney honestly. Mike loved just rolling over slick boxers. Toney stood too straight up also. Like even the Tyson who ko golota and etienne prolly wins imo.
I kind of see this like Tyson's fight with Brian Nielsen. Toney's defensively great and tough as old leather, but offensively he's a non-threat here. I'm sure Toney would go into a shell and just try to survive, basically.
Tyson tko 3 Tyson still had fast hands and major power. He had lost footspeed by now but it wouldn't matter against Toney. The referee would be forced to stop this one.
Oompaaa Tyson stops Toney in 3. Tyson even here, batters him that fast and hard that the ref has to jump in quickly.
At this stage, Mike probably had enough left to win a decision. What most forget, Toney never really was a heavyweight, he started out at 160 and only entered the heavyweights at 35.
Not enough steroids in the world to keep Toney competitive with Tyson when they were both nearly equally declined. It would seem unlikely Toney could avoid being stopped. Even with all his defensive acumen. He could not win.
In the jirov fight? Watch it again he spends half the fight shelled up leaning back. Yes hes toney so he had head movement but his laid back posture style was a bad match for mike.
I picked Toney because Tyson was far past his prime in 1990 against Douglas. It stands to reason he was even further declined at 29 than he was at 23.