If we’re working with the pre-Tyson version of these two then I’m guessing 1985 to1987 would have been the most likely time of a hypothetical meeting. I think we’d potentially get mixed results depending on which of those three years they fought. 1985 - Douglas fought twice beating 17-0 Dion Simpson and lost to 11-0 Jesse Ferguson. His weights were 247 and 242. Comparatively Tubbs also fought twice beating James Smith and Greg Page. His weights for these two fights were 228 and 229. The respective ages were 27 for Tubbs and 25 for Douglas. My guess is Tubbs wins a decision in 1985. 1986 - Tubbs fought only once in 1986 losing to Tim Witherspoon and showing up at 244 lbs for that fight. Douglas fought three times beating Greg Page, Dave Jaco and Dee Colier. His weights for these three fights ranged from 230 to 233. Their respective ages were 28 for Tubbs and 26 for Douglas. I think I’ll pick Douglas to get a decision for this year. 1987 - following a 15 month layoff since the spoon loss, Tubbs fought 3 times in 1987 beating 3 journeyman in Mike Jameson, Jerry Halstead and Eddie Gonzalez. His first fight of the year against Jameson he was 239 lbs and got floored but got a decision. His second fight against Halstead he was 233 and won comfortably. By the end of the year he stopped Gonzalez in 3 rounds and weighed 228. Douglas in 87 gave Tony Tucker a Terrific fight before being stopped late. A few months later he stopped Donny Long. His weights were 228 and 234. Tubbs was 29 in 1987 and Douglas was 27. Predicted outcome, possibly a narrow decision for Douglas or maybe even a draw.
I’d go with Douglas, because he was on some decent form showing consistency from after the Tucker fight to the Tyson fight, whereas Tubbs was always inconsistent.
Yep a close fight i see myself. I give it slightly to Buster , using his superior height and reach to control the distance. I see Buster getting a kd over Tubbs at some point maybe and gaining the lead for a close decision.
Maybe…. Height difference is only about half an inch but Douglas has an 83 inch reach to Tubbs’ 79. So that could be a factor. Tony had faster hands. Buster had a bit more power. Chins are about the same. Both guys went back and forth having pockets of success during the years when a meeting would have been most likely.
