Who was more of the complete package 86' Tyson or 83' Holmes?

I go with Tyson, he had the potential at that point in his career that he had a legitimate shot of winning against any heavyweight in history.

 

86 tyson struggled against James Tillis.

 

Tyson, but I am bias because I think he is one of the best heavyweights and came with power, fear, menace and aggression which we so miss today.

Klitschko jab!!!!

But from what i feel Holmes is rated highly by promoters (King & Warren) but had little competition.

 

It's hard to compare because they had opposite styles. Tyson had better defensive skills and punching technique. Although Holmes definately had the better defensive footwork :think I'll go with Tyson on the basis that he had a slightly broader skillset and his punching choice had more variety.

 

Tyson. No other fighter has been such a physical specimen.

 

it's an interesting question because in 1986 tyson was still just outside his early peak around the time of his run of rapid fire victories up to the knockout win over berbick at the end of the year for the wbc belt. holmes, on the other hand, to my eyes, was starting to stall a little, in terms of his fluidity in the ring, and lose some of his speed in 1983--after all, he was a 10 year pro by then. so the question comes down to, is a tyson who was showing the last traces of greenness better or worse than a holmes who was in the late middle of a long title reign--again the wbc belt--and starting to show the ring-rot that would set up the deceptively predictable upset losss (and the loss in the return fight, despite a heck of an effort by holmes) to spinks in 1985.

 

I say Tysons prime year was 88 not 86. I say Holmes was the complete package.

 

Keep in mind that Holmes had a HELL of a jab and he could do it all night...
Tyson had trouble with Buster....

Holmes was not one of my favorite fighters....however, he was a complete fighter and had a respectable chin.

I think Tyson would have been in trouble....

 

I'd take prime Holmes over prime Tyson any day.

 

thats true and its a tough choice, a toss up

 

Why 86 and 83 though?

Tyson's peak was 1988, and Holmes was probably better a couple years before 1983.

 

:good

 

young tyson beats young holmes

prime holmes beats prime tyson

washed up holmes beats washed up tyson

holmes wins 2-1

 

That sums it up quite well.


In the head to head sense, your correct observation on prime for prime is the most significant.

Holmes also leads Tyson in the greatness (accomplishment) department.

 

James "Quick" Tillis would blast 98% of the current heavies out right now...:deal