Best Tyson opponent that Ron Lyle beats?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jun 11, 2025.

  1. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    What opponents of Mike Tyson could Ron Lyle be expected to beat? Who would you favor him over?
     
  2. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Old Holmes
     
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  3. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Idk, old Holmes beat Mercer who is a similar in quality to Lyle.
     
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  4. Fogger

    Fogger Father, grandfather and big sports fan. Full Member

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    Lyle had some good wins. Buster Mathis, Gregorio Peralta, Oscar Bonavena, Jimmy Ellis, Earnie Shavers and Joe Bugner were all defeated by Lyle. On the other hand, he went down to defeat against Jerry Quarry and Jimmy Young twice.

    I think that pretty much represents how the righty would have done against most of Tyson's opponents. Other than the greats such as Lewis and Holyfield, Lyle could have beaten or lost to guys like Ruddock, Douglas, Tucker, Bruno and Tubbs.

    If I had to name the best guy Lyle could beat it would be Michael Spinks. Not that he would have beaten Michael every time but I think he would have earned two or three wins in a ten fight series
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2025
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  5. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Spinks couldn't have taken the punishment, early stoppage.

    Holmes was too old, but might have made the distance.
     
  6. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Good luck with Lyle landing anything of consequence
     
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  7. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    If Lyle could cut it relatively close with Ali, and Holmes could lose and cut it close w Spinks and Williams, that gives him a good chance.
     
  8. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 MONZON VS HAGLER 2025 Full Member

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    Disagree that Lyle wins but good observation.
     
  9. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Spinks and Williams had different styles. Mercer and Lyle were more similar to one another than Lyle is to Spinks and Williams
     
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  10. Claude

    Claude Member Full Member

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    Considering mercer went life and death with someone like Jess Ferguson, I wouldn’t say he’s similar in quality to Ron Lyle.
     
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  11. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Well I meant both at their best. Mercer had lower lows than Lyle.
     
  12. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    For me though Ali kind of sleptwalk through the Lyle fight he really didn't have any offence and was going through the motions until he decided to open in the 11th round and finish off Lyle.

    It was more to do with what Ali wasn't doing rather what Lyle was doing.
     
  13. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    And Lyle got stopped in 2 rounds by Lynn Ball.

    Are we forgetting Mercer had a razor thin close fight vs a prime Lewis ? And had another close fight vs Holyfield ?

    Ferguson is also underrated he won the "ESPN young Heavyweight Tournament" in the 80s and was undefeated at one point.

    He holds wins over Buster Douglas, Ray Mercer, and went the distance in competitive fights with alot of notable Heavyweights.

    Had one of the Heavyweight fights of the decade in the 80s vs Carl Williams.

    Came close to stopping Larry Holmes in the 90s and lost a very close decision to him.
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2025
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  14. Claude

    Claude Member Full Member

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    When he was 38, yeah.
    Lennox was also behind the cards against frank Bruno before his power bailed him out. He underperformed more often than people realised.
    Wasn’t holyfield coming off semi-retirement, injuries, and health issues? Either way, while ray gave holy a hard fight, it was hardly close.
    He lost to carl Williams, Mike Tyson, James smith, Anders eklund, orlin Norris, Oliver McCall, Bruce seldon, Michael dokes, (who came in at an utterly obese 260 lbs by the way) and tony tubbs. Those are just the people he lost to before he faced mercer. This isn’t someone a top contender has any business losing to.
    What do you mean undefeated at one point? Are you praising him for being undefeated in his first 12 fights before he lost his 13th to Carl Williams?
    a fat and unmotivated buster. Douglas had worse loses before.
    You mean the dude I’m criticising for losing to Jesse?
    Funny way of saying he lost to anyone with a pulse.
    When Larry was 44, yeah.
     
  15. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    When did he come close to stopping Holmes? He didn't even drop him. Holmes came back from the canvas multiple times to win.

    Mercer didn't come remotely close to stopping Holmes.