Tnx for the vid! It feels like ducking from Tyson though when he dropped the wbc belt. He should have faced Lewis when bowe vs Lewis was out of the picture and Lewis wanted his shot. Or he should have faced moorer, become undisputed and have Lewis as #1 challenger.
I’ve never believed that it was a duck. I don’t believe that it was even a decision made by Mike personally. The powers that be wanted a Holyfield fight instead. That was the ultimate goal. I think they assumed that it would be less of a risk, plus it would generate a lot more PPV revenue. Lennox wasn’t as highly regarded then as what he went onto become in the late 90’s-early 00’s. He’d struggled with Mercer. But he was a huge threat which could have scuppered the fights with Evander. Even though he’d lost a few fights, Evander was the bigger name, and the more exciting fight. And they’d already be lined up to fight in 1991, before Mike’s prison sentence. So I 100% believe that it was a business decision by King. I’m absolutely certain that had Mike have beaten Evander, he’d have faced Lennox in 1997/1998.
Just want to hoof this video back to the front page. It is a very interesting look back at the rivalries of the 90s and how we didn't get some big fights when we should have, if at all.
Originally though, when the step aside deal was made, Lewis was tentatively slated to face Bowe in September 1996, and Tyson would be free to challenge the winner of Moorer-Shulz for the vacant IBF. That was the original plan. Golota's strong showing against Bowe derailed that.
What do you think would have happened if Tyson fought Lewis in their primes? It's a tough matchup for both I think. To be honest though, I think Lennox would have been able to neutralise Tyson with that pole of a jab
Good lord. You need to be Sherlock Holmes to thread this story together. The HW threads of the 1980's-90's is more complication than Game of Thrones.