Mike Tyson vs Vitali Klitschko

This.
I generally like Tyson and think he's gotten better as a person w/ age. But he also had this very short prime. He was ~24 when Douglas initially exposed Mike. Several years later, beefed (roided) up Holy exposed Mike for good. The loss to Douglas was pre prison term 1992-95. Prison time didn't help but while in prison he avoided the wear and tear of several bouts against what would've been good competition. It seems reasonable to state that Tyson's career arc would've have been similar w/o the 3 years in prison. He had many good wins post prison.

Vitali only lost to a severe injury to his shoulder and bad cuts. He was never KD. Vitali had all the physical and mental tools to frustrate Mike and coast to a UD, maybe win via DQ, or as often happened when Mike lost, score a (T)KO in the later rounds.
Some like to ask who did Vitali beat that was the equal of a prime Mike? Well who did Mike beat that was equal to a prime Vitali? Vitali had a much longer prime than Mike. Both non prime - Vitali beats Mike all day long. Both prime - Vitlali still overcomes Mike.

 

Wasn't meant to be answer. Just shows the flaw of "Who's knocked down Vitali'. But back to this, Tyson's speed would definitely be a factor. As well as his ability to close distances on larger guys. He abandoned his 'bob and weave' as he got older, to the point of it being almost non-existent. So this is about looking at the best version of both for this hypothetical. But Mike taking Vitali's body would NOT be out of the question. Mike threw with conviction with both hands, in solid combinations. And pounced on his opponent when they were hurt or stunned.

1988 Mike TKO Vitali by 6-7 rounds.

 

Vitali wins a decision, Mike has nothing for him.

 

I think Tyson would be very intimidated by Vitali. He liked to project this image of as some street tough guy but the truth is he’s full of fear and insecurities. In reality on the street people like Vitali would beat him up and run through his pockets.

 

Serge, you're missing the point. Doesn't matter when it's PRIME TYSON. Don't you know that prime Mike defies the laws of physics!!

The caps adds an inch to Mike's "height". While Vitali is a bit closer to the camera, look at the difference in their shoulder height

 

Tyson had an iron chin, that won't happen like that. Vitali didn't have the power to do that to Tyson.

 

Iron chin? Tyson's chin is good/average at best.

Buster Douglas smacked him senseless. And Dr Ironfist clubbed harder than anything Douglas could dish up.

Lewis KO'd him. Holyfield KO'd him and would have done so twice if Tyson didn't turn into Mr Bitey. Danny frigging Williams KO'd him.

Tyson was absolutely gettable. Every guy who actually stood up to him took him out. Vitali's KO record alone shows that you have no idea what you are talking about. He's got the 3rd best KO ratio in the history of heavyweight champions. He takes Tyson down like he's nobody.

 

Probably Vitali because of his height. Chin and stamina. No KO whatsoever.

 

Not true at all Tyson took beatings before he was stopped, he definitely had an above average chin see the Ruddock fights.

And plenty of fighters stood up to Tyson who wern't scared and he still beat them.

Pinklon Thomas
Razor Ruddock

Are good examples.

 

Tyson UD, 9-3 or 10-2 type of decision.

I think Vitali with his size and style would hang tough but I don't think he would beat a prime Mike Tyson. I think people forget how good Tyson was around 1987-1988, when he beat both Holmes and Spinks. I can't see Vitali, who was awkward but fairly basic beat a prime Tyson.

Now if this happened after Tyson got out of prison and his only world class win was Golata, I think Vitali would have stopped him around the 5th round.

 

Vitali is unbelievablely overrated. He is seen by many as the h2h goat because of his loss to Lewis?

 

Not many HW champs in the last 40 years lost more fights by KO than Tyson (off the top of my head I can’t think of one). You can’t claim to have a great chin yet get slept as often as he did.

Ruddock and Thomas are not Klitschko.

Tyson is one if the biggest hype jobs in history. He was good but he wasn’t this unstoppable force that some people believe.

 

Well you could say the same about Vitali what's his best win ? Most people bring up the galiant effort vs a past it Lewis but what else is there ? Vitali never even beat a top 30 ranked Heavyweight of all time.

People assume hes a H2H monster because of his size and good chin, but his actual resume against top fighters says otherwise.