Tyson of 89-91 V Heavyweights of History

Vitali has a very good chance. Mentally stronger, his leaning back defense and reflexes coupled with his height made him very hard to hit. As great as Mike is with his charging style, Vitali was a master at making opponents hit air. His thudding punches from weird angels would take a toll over the rounds.

 

I think that if you listed your top 10 all time heavyweights all of them would have a prety good shot at beating him at thi stage.

 

Tyson peaked at the Spinks fight. At that point his timing was perfect. Just look at how he KO'd Spinks. How did he know Spinks was going to lean to his right as he was throwing that strange righthand punch? His intuition of his opponents movement was amazing. That Tyson could have beaten any heavyweight including Ali.
The Tyson that fought Bruno and Ruddock, wasnt even close.

 

That sounds like a safe assumption. The Tyson that fought Douglas likely loses to most boxers in the top 35-40 all time imo.

I will say though that the Tyson that fought Ruddock in 91 was a step above the one that fought Buster. That Tyson would probably win against anyone who wasn't durable but still lose to most of the fighters we call greats.

 

Mike by UD or KO.

Mike has fought similiar opponents to Vitali, except they were faster and more fluid, one hit harder as well.

Early in his career he white washed guys like Vitali on the scorecards if he didn't knock them out.

Late in his career, arguably the best BIG heavyweight of all time went 8 rounds with a guy that was a complete shell of himself.

 

Ali of 1964-1974

If you are using 1st career ali 64-67 then Ali decision.

2nd Career Ali especially up to 74? Tyson via decision or Mid rounds TKO.

Holmes of 76-82: Larry was green in 76 but was still sharp in 1982. I think Holmes may edge him here. I give Tyson more than the proverbial puncher's chance because he had the speed, power, style and durability to get the job done but unless he's in tip top shape physically and mentally Holmes may very well take this.

Lennox Lewis 1995 onwards (early lewis was too rugged): Tyson has the edge IMO because I've always felt that Lennox was a momentum fighter. Mercer lacked the fluidity and speed that Tyson would have had but he approached the Lewis fight with the right gameplan. I think he lost but it wasnt a tactical error on Ray's part. Tyson was stilll physically capable of doing 12 hard rounds. I'm not so sure that he would stop him given Lewis's dimension's and style but his pressure would force Lewis to be defensive long enough to prevent Lewis from fully asserting himself. Lewis would have his moments and so would Tyson for that matter but I believe that neither man would dominate the other to the extent that it can be called a one sided fight. It would be competitive in terms of action, momentum and scoring. 89-91 was a compentant and capable Tyson. After all in 1989 Mike Tyson was still the number 1 p4p fighter in the world. A distinction that put him ahead of the great Julio Cesar Chavez at that time.

Holyfield of 2nd bowe fight: Tyson TKO7. I've always felt that Holyfield fought Tyson at the most opportune time. Mike was inactive for years while Evander was fighting the division's best at the time. Evander grew into a bigger and stronger HW and made a very telling point before his first fight with Mike in 1996. Tyson hadnt been hit since he came out of jail. Bruno, McNeely, Seldon and Mathis didnt really hit Mike. Any inactive fighter will tell you that coming back after a layoff, your body needs to condition itself to absorb blows. Tyson's wasnt. In 1989-1991 Tyson was active no rust whatsoever. I think that Holyfield would have fought bravely but IMO he would come up short.

Jack Johnson: Tyson KO by 5

George foreman: Tyson KO by 6

liston: Tyson UD12

 

Tyson beats some but not nearly all. Ali wins and would not get stopped by a mile. If Ali of '74 was hyped up like he was when he fought Foreman,
Ali stops Tyson before 10.

 

Comparing Foreman to Tyson is not fair. Prime Tyson was very difficult to hit cleanly, he was very difficult to hit period.

 

Yeah, some people that have posted so far seem to be under the impression this is 87 Tyson here. The Tyson that fought Bruno onward was a step down.

 

Based on Tyson 86-88.....

Its really too hard to say TBH.... Ali 64-67 Id favour... Foreman early 70s stylewise might be one... guys like Holmes, Liston & Louis are 50/50... Mike beats Lewis, Holyfield, Marciano, Frazier, both Klitschko`s & all the rest probably.

Tough choices but its VERY possible peak Tyson beats every HWT in history, Id take peak Ali over him if placing a big bet but not many more & its no guarantee with Ali either but I would favour him.

 

I get the same feeling while watching Sonny Liston fight although I don't think he would beat every heavyweight in history. Must've been some natural fighting instinct.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tgv5rzKMn4
3:40

Mainly talking about 6:10-6:30.