If Mike Tyson Had Defeated Holyfield Twice And Lewis Once, Where Would He Rank Historically?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Sep 4, 2026 at 11:02 AM.

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  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Thought's?
     
    Fergy, Sep 4, 2026 at 11:02 AM
    #1
  2. Usyk is the best

    Usyk is the best Active Member Full Member

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    #1 All time
     
    Usyk is the best, Sep 4, 2026 at 11:21 AM
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  3. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Could very likely rank above Ali as the greatest HW IMO. Add both Klitschkos on his resume and there's no denying that he's the GOAT HW.
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2026 at 11:53 AM
    Flo_Raiden, Sep 4, 2026 at 11:48 AM
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  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I would probably rank him 1 and I'd bet that would be the most common slot, but you'd see him at 2 and 3 too.
     
    McGrain, Sep 4, 2026 at 11:49 AM
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  5. Yorbals

    Yorbals Boxing Addict Full Member

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    1 or 2
     
    Yorbals, Sep 4, 2026 at 12:07 PM
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  6. Jakub79

    Jakub79 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    In 1996? Probably three. If he had retired after the rematch with Bruno—also three.

    Beating Bruno, Holyfield, and Lewis in 1996 would have been rated exactly the same as—or lower than—beating Holmes, Tubbs, and Spinks in 1986.
     
    Jakub79, Sep 4, 2026 at 12:22 PM
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  7. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic War for Souls Full Member

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    In that case, Tyson's 'second career' would have been better than Tyson's 'first career' :) and if he retired with only one loss to Douglas, he would have had good chances for the HW ATG No.1 spot.
     
    ikrasevic, Sep 4, 2026 at 8:17 PM
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  8. slash

    slash Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    What? No way.
     
    slash, Sep 4, 2026 at 8:35 PM
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  9. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    Let's be honest. If Lewis lost, his own place would drop so much for so many of us, it wouldn't boost Mike up against the loss to Douglas as much as it might seem on the face of it. I don't know what I just said but I am very firm on its meaningfulness in my own mind.
     
    Boxed Ears, Sep 4, 2026 at 8:40 PM
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  10. Jakub79

    Jakub79 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    What no way?
     
    Jakub79, Sep 4, 2026 at 10:34 PM
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  11. slash

    slash Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    If you have to ask..
     
    slash, Sep 4, 2026 at 10:38 PM
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  12. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    I have Lewis at 3 so if he'd knocked off Lennox AND Holyfield possibly #1
     
    BCS8, Sep 4, 2026 at 11:43 PM
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  13. Jakub79

    Jakub79 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    From today’s perspective, beating Lewis or Holyfield in 1996 seems like an impossible feat for the Tyson of that era—or, for some, for *any* version of Tyson—yet at the time, he was the overwhelming favorite to beat them.
    After he defeated Bruno, *The Ring* asked if anyone could stop him, with Riddick Bowe being the only name put forward.
    Lewis was known for having been quickly knocked out by one of Mike’s former sparring partners, and an inactive Ray Mercer had given him a tough, even fight; at one point, Holyfield was a 25-to-1 underdog. People generally expected Tyson to steamroll them, and had that happened, it wouldn't have impressed anyone. Spinks hadn't been as big an underdog in 1988 as Holyfield was, and many expected Tyson to be even better than he had been a decade earlier. Beating Bruno, Lewis, and Holyfield back then would be considered less impressive today than the Biggs-Holmes-Tubbs-Spinks run—even if Mike had torn them to shreds.

    It would have changed little regarding how Tyson was perceived historically at the time.

    Anyone who remembers those years knows this well.
     
    Jakub79, Sep 5, 2026 at 12:00 AM
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  14. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    And still lost to Douglas, Williams and McBride? He'd be a lock for the top 3. Probably #3, for me, closer to the top 2 than #4.
     
    Greg Price99, Sep 5, 2026 at 2:30 AM
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  15. Despertador

    Despertador New Member Full Member

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    But... Lewis and Holyfield wouldn't be ranked the same they are now had they lost to Tyson
     
    Despertador, Sep 5, 2026 at 2:43 AM
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