Imagine Lewis never got the rematch with Rahman. Tyson v Rahman.

Interesting analysis. I do think that the Tyson of that period gets underrated, primarily because he's compared against the Tyson of the 1980s, rather than boxers in general. Tyson was a shadow his former self, but he was still a hard-hitting, ultra-fast and skilled boxer.

 

If we say that the Tua of that period was the equal of Tyson you tend to think that Tyson would have been beaten I am a Tyson fan but Mcbride and Williams exposed him as a shot fighter Rahman would have won this one. And this is coming from a Tyson fan.

 

I agree with this, Tyson who fought Golota was sufficiently prepared to be able to KO Rahman without much trouble.
He was a shot zombie who gassed very early against Nielsen, but that was due to awful laziness, inactivity and lack of training.

 

I was thinking about starting a thread like this and then I found yours lol. This is a very interesting match up to me. I really like The Rock and Tyson both so I really wanted this fight back in the day. I kind of think Rahman wins this fight, that's what my gut tells me. Mike would and could end it early but I just don't think he would I see the Rock winning this fight by Dec or a late tko

 

If Rahman can withstand Tysons bum rushing during rounds 1-5, he wins, if Rahman gets careless...which is very possible, Tyson catches him and puts him to sleep. I see Tyson running out of gas and quitting on his stool at the end of round 9.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQeqquW1ugo[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYSi-fAePl4[/ame]

 

Tyson would have worn him down mid rounds, Rahman was limited, just a 1-2, no counterpunching, Tyson would own him

 

tyson either wins inside 3 rounds or rahman wears him out for a late stoppage tysons stamina was non existent by 2001 he even looked worn out on his stool at the end of the 2nd round against golota .

 

We are talking about an old Tyson here and a peak Rahman, if I look at this as being the Tyson that fought Mcbride and Williams, Tyson does not win.

 

It's staggering just how much Tyson's legacy improves if he beats Rahman for the title in 2001, though. There would still be pressure on him to beat Lewis anyway but that could be pushed aside for a year or so while he makes easier defences. Tyson would've been a top ten ATG for everyone, no arguments, I reckon. And for most people likely top five.

Other guys on Rahman's possible radar at the time for defences were David Izon and Brian Nielsen...we know how Tyson-Nielsen turned out, how about Tyson-Izon (which was originally set for 2002 as well)...?

 

Izon was never a top contender, he was rugged but he wasnt as big and powerful or even as skilled as Ibeabuchi. Tyson would have probably won a decision vs Izon even if he didnt stop him, though Tyson's stamina was never nearly as good as a prime Tua's so Izon may have pulled it out

 

Izon was a pretty good contender, from '97-'99 anyway. Even snagged himself a Ring ranking.

But the Jefferson-Izon war pretty much finished both of them at that level.
Izon showed very little left against Oquendo and was handly beaten by Mesi around that time.

So long as Tyson puts in the proper training effort, that and his trademark psychological pressure can undo Izon. The Tyson of '02 was still a hard puncher, still decent with his hand speed and very experienced of course. The stamina and movement are move of an issue.

 

True. For a long time,a lot of people tended to imagine that Tyson was still in his late 80's pomp. Even as recently as 2002.

 

He was still, with exception of the Nielson fight, where he showed up looking like a blimp, dispatching Rahman level fighters easily and quickly. Rahman had a suspect chin, was a notorious slow starter, and Tyson was a front runner at this time who was a far bigger threat to Rahman than Tua was, as Tua tended to fight to the pace of his opponent. Tyson on the other hand, always dictated it early and would have showed Rahman zero respect.