Mike Tyson had a better career than Larry Holmes.

In the late 90’s?

Ha!

When Larry was nearing 50?

 

They would have stopped the 88 version had they been around then. Certainly I can think of other guys who would stop old Holmes

 

Easier said than done.

A prime Evander couldn’t do it.

And neither could Mercer.

Anyway, it was still a credible win for Mike.

 

Mercer couldn't stop a faded Jesse Ferguson in two tries, couldn't stop a 40 year old Witherspoon, couldn't even stop Bert Cooper. Not getting stopped by Mercer is hardly some great achievement

 

We can go back and forth all day.

He could stop Morrison.

Brutally.

He came within a whisker of beating Lennox.

Look at who Evander stopped.

He bullied and broke down Mike. When Mike was 30 with plenty of gas still left in the tank.

Yet he couldn’t stop Larry.

I don’t care.

I’ve made my point.

My point, is that Larry was faded, but still a world level HW.

All things considered, Mike holds a credible win over him.

That’s it.

 

The best heavyweights in the world at the time were Tyson and Spinks, and Holmes' fnaboys insist that Holmes deserved the win over Spinks in the not distant past, so that tells you what you need to know.

Holmes had settled into the fight and was gaining confidence right when he got clipped. He started bouncing on his toes and flicking the jab, feeling like he was in control, right before things went horribly wrong for him. His ass should've stayed in survival mode for at least another two rounds.

 

Spinks deserved it the first time Holmes deserved it in a rematch. I don't think it's fanboyish even though robbery claims may be overstated.

 

Several guys would be favored over Spinks in 1988. I'd have Douglas beating him for sure, probably Ruddock, maybe Bruno

 

Tyson beat lots of world level heavyweights. I don't see any tangible argument for it being a great win, it's a decent win no better than many others on his resume.

 

Tyson wasn’t even a wide favorite over him. You would favor neither Bruno nor Douglas if you were watching avidly back then. No to revisionism.