Tyson late 1990/ through 1991: A more humble and better consitioned tyson scores a mid round knockout Tyson of 2nd Bruno Fight 1996: douglas by decision Ruddock: douglas points hOLYFIELD: evander via points bowe: riddick points in a close fight Lewis before steward: lennox by late ko (coming from behind) Lewis (with stewrd): lennox on points mercer: douglas on points
I'm not playing this game. Douglas that night beats any Tyson and I have no problem saying that. I'm sick of Buster Douglas getting overly discredited for this win. *Edit* Just re-read the thread. I don't know what Douglas would have as a gameplan against others and I can't really predict how he would do. Douglas was a very capable fighter and very game. With his mom passing he had this refuse to lose and persistence about him. He only slipped up and got over confident once against Tyson, and still came back to whoop the next round.
Douglas was a good fighter when he wanted to be. That being said, I dont think he beats the best Tyson. I think Douglas could have accomplished a lot more if he was focused more on winning and his mind was right, but thats part of boxing, thats what separates the greats, from the should woulda coulda's.
Nobody discredits him. If he was hurt and KD by an unfocused Tyson, he would KO'd by a prime one. I just think some give him too much credit and believe he beat the best Tyson when he clearly didn't. Tyson abandoned his head movement and his jab and only looked for the one punch KO.
This is completely mythologized at this point. Tyson wasn't this, Tyson wasn't that. Obviously it wasn't a good performance. That's fine, people get far too carried away with the exaggerated differences in the Tyson. And no, Tyson didn't hurt Douglas in the fight. He caught him off balance and he was completely fine. This is non-debatable.
Yes it is debateable. It was a sweet uppercut and Douglas went down because of that not just because of balance. If he had remained on his feet he might have been more significantly hurt by follow up shots.
You can clearly see it. Watch his fights from 86-88; then watch the Douglas fight. There's a noticeable difference as he abandones his jab and head movement. He was only looking for a one punch KO. That shot was not off balance, you need to watch it again. It was a beautiful uppercut right on the button. Call it a flash KD.
He still gets outboxed - he just doesn't get KO'd Douglas gets the TKO here. Ruddock gets the early KO. Agree. Bowe by TKO. Lewis UD Lewis TKO Agree.
I have a hard time not seeing the Douglas of that singular night being one of the greatest HW's of all time. Prime Tyson loses 98 out of 100 in Tokyo. The only one I see that version of Buster having real trouble with is Lennox Lewis. If Buster only had Larry Holmes' personality, he would be an ATG.
good summary tyson was badly out of shape. he seemed to be a sleep in the ring that but i still say that douglas of tokyo had a good chance of beating any tyson post 1988
Fair enough, I respect you view, but I totally disagree! Douglas was never at any stage, particularly in the immediate aftermath of his victory, keen on a rematch with Tyson! Yes, he was offered $24M to face Holyfield & no one can blame him for taking that match. However, when pressed about a rematch, Douglas shyed away from it. Tyson made no bones about the fact that he wanted an immediate rematch to avenge the loss! Both appeared on HBO with Larry Merchant shortly after they both returned to the USA from Tokyo! Tyson was still wearing sunglasses to hide his swollen eye. When asked about a rematch, Douglas said he wasn't sure if he wanted one. That there were other fights & other fighters out there for him, which there was! We will never know for sure, but I think Tyson would have taken him out in a rematch!
A good assessment, although I'd actually reverse the two Tysons (!). The Tyson of 1995-1996 showed flashes of his 80s brilliance; the Tyson of the Ruddock fights was more skilled and better conditioned, but their was more raw power and strength in the post-prison Tyson. I don't think Tyson could ever beat Douglas by trying to outpoint him, but trying to bomb him out early would probably work. The other picks are spot on.