Holyfield V Tyson 1991?

Holyfield has Mike's number. Then, now, whenever. His attributes negate Mike's.

 

I think if Holyfield does not headbutt, Tyson should win a competitive decision.

Holyfield was not physically as strong in 1991 as he was in 96. Holyfield does not have Buster's long arms and 83 inch jab to keep Tyson at bay.

Tyson is the faster handed more powerful fighter. I think Tyson should outspeed Holyfield and win a competitive decision although Holyfield will have his moments landing big combinations.

Tyson close UD 12.

 

By 1991 the wheels were coming loose on the Tyson machine. Mike was getting hit more often and had been rocked by Bruno, something you just didn't see earlier in his career.

Without the people in his life maintaining the machine, Rooney, Jim Jacobs, Clayton and Steve Lott, Tyson was ready to be beaten.

Holyfield wins this.

 

Tyson UD, MD.. close decision

 

Holyfield, no doubt, by KO.

 

At the time I wanted Holyfield to win but I was skeptical after Holyfield had a scare against Bert Cooper and been taken the distance by foreman. Looking back in hindsight I really feel that in 1991 it would have been a 50/50 fight

 

I think it's a bit closer in this timeframe than the actual one. I feel Holyfield's durability was still there in the early 90s, but that mid 90s size-up really, really hurt Mike's chances. The physicality battle went from Tyson's favor to Holyfield's. That being said, Holyfield was just as tough, game, and he had some more quickness and timing than his version of the mid/late 90s. I think it would even out and Holyfield would still win.

 

Holyfield all day.

At this level of the game, it’s 90% mental and Evander was just way mentally stronger than Mike. As we saw, he had his number. Probably owned him since that Olympic training camp when Mike lost a pool game and refused to hand over the cue to the next player and Evander just walked up and took it from him and sent him to his room.

 

I think a bit much is made out of that size-up. He added 5 lbs over 5 years. Hardly unheard of. Fairly normal progression to go from 210 at 29 to 215 at 34. Almost every fighter puts on weight in their 30's. Doesn't make them better.

 

Can't judge Holyfield on a poor showing though, can we? Bert was a late substitute from memory? And lets not forget, those who criticise that fight overlook the fact that Holyfield took big shots from a tremendous puncher and once again showed hos resilience and will to win by coming back and finishing Bert...he'd have a full camp to train for Mike, hell, he'd probably use Bert for sparring, and he'd show up 100%, fit, focused and prepared with a perfect gameplan...


....which would go out of the window as soon as Mike lands and I'm sorry, there is only one winner in a 'whose got the biggest bollocks' brawl between Mike and Evander...

 

Holyfield cleans his clock. A past prime Holyfield whipped Tyson. It wasn’t even close.

A prime Holyfield beats Tyson in 1991 pretty similar to how he did in 1996. He takes Tysons mid range game away, roughs him up inside, gets him discouraged and pounds him into submission late. Any other scenario is wishful thinking on Tyson’s fans behalf imo.