Mike Tyson had a better career than Larry Holmes.

Douglas was always the opponent for Japan. HBO actually made the call to postpone Ruddock - Tyson after a small delay due to illness and then the promoter couldn't get the money together quick enough. Douglas was not "second choice".

The latter plan was for Douglas then Holyfield and if they couldn't get things aligned fast enough with Holyfield they would then fight Ruddock in the meantime.

 

No, I think you're just sensitive when it comes to Greg Page.
We've had this discussion before.
If Holmes ducked Page in a short window of time, a few months in 1983, that's a slight knock on Holmes, yes. Knock away.
But if people want to make out Page was a superior top fighter of the era, it just doesn't stand up to scrutiny.
Holmes beat quite a few men who were as good or better than Page.

 

To be fair Dokes was managed by King's brother and there was never any plan at all to match them. Holmes was nearing retirement and the plan was for Dokes to win the other title in the meantime to satisfy him.

I never put Dokes on the avoided by Holmes list because no-one ever aimed at it.

 

So the plan was to have his #1 contender wait on the shelf for two more fights, not one.
Thanks for clarifying.

 

I believe he kicked the heroin for ages during his better boxing years but was still using cocaine.

 

I agree. Berbick fought prime Holmes and prime Tyson, and they both fought "prime" Berbick.
He bridged the eras. He was outclassed by both, to be fair.

 

No, he was talking about Carl Williams and Michael Spinks. That's the last few months of the Holmes reign.

 

I reckon the ratings you are looking at are from April yes? Very big chance he was booted out after the loss to Tyson.

@SolomonDeedes i think you are the Ring ratings champ?? Tubbs in Jan/Feb/March 88?

 

That's a very telling list with regards to what Tyson actually accomplished in his short but explosive reign.

 

I'm just going off the boxrec site.
The issue cover dated April wouldn't have been on the shelves in time to consider a fight that took place on March 21 surely?
In fact, if I remember rightly, RING would be on the shelves at least a month before the cover date.

 

It's a good thread isn't it. Plenty of activity and tho one sided some interesting banter.

 

This is perhaps the crux of the matter.

 

Yes, yes all true.

Disagree quite a bit with the highlighted - Tyson as shown by Jans list was mowing down the ring top 10 contenders like flies. He was opening up new spots in the 10 very rapidly.

 

Noway mate i'm not joining anyone!!! I'm just posting my own comments before summing up in a few days per the topic.

I see where you are coming from per ducking and missing now.

To be fair Tyson was fighting Holyfield very soon but both lost and went to prison killing the chances. Of course if he would have held up his end of the bargain they would have fought and that is on him.

 

I think we will find Tubbs was ranked. Hopefully Solomon can help as i think he is the Ring ratings guru, could be wrong. Bruno likely wasn't ranked.

Just remember Tyson had cleaned out almost the whole division as it was rated in 86.