Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield in 1991

In training for Tyson after he got his head handed to him for three weeks straight.

 

Holyfield's will to win would not be enough and Pre-Prison I'd argue that Tyson had better stamina.

The Foreman gameplan is flawed because Foreman lacks the handspeed to capitalize on openings. Tyson would be able to catch him cleanly during exchanges. If Evander were to win he couldn't engage Mike with the same frequency that he did with George.

Tyson has the better chin. The only reason why Holyfield gets that distinction is because he was never knocked out up until 2003 when he was old and it sort of didn't matter. (Edit: I forgot about Bowe-Holyfield 3) Thing is Evander, like Mercer, Ali, etc is that they backpedal. Its part of their style. So when they are hurt they use lateral movement and it helps them regain their senses. Tyson never backpedals so when he gets hurt he continues to press forward and continues to fight the same way and if he keeps getting nailed his forward movement amplifies the effect; its like his style gives him no room to recover.

Another thing, Mike Tyson is a much better finisher than Cooper, Foreman and Bowe. He's not just a step above; he's a few floors above. Only Joe Louis and possibly Rocky Marciano are his peers when it comes to finishing an opponent. (at Heavyweight)

88-89 Tyson's the spot on favorite, but in 1991 I'd say that its a closer fight but one that Evander would have never been ready for at that particular time.
Evander had the mentality but in 1991 he was in over his head....

 

Holyfield was knocked out by Riddick Bowe in 1995.

 

Forgot about that....

I remember that fight too....

Dropped Bower in the 6th and lost it in the 8th...

It was right around the time of Tyson Mathis.....

 

Both Iron Champ and Magna have made some very good arguments in favor of their chosen fighter. I want to ad that I remember as clearly as if it were yesterday, Holyfield was rocked pretty good in the 5th round, against a very inexperienced and over matched Alex Stewart. That was in late 1989, when Kevin Rooney had already left Tyson's camp, so I don't know Weather or not if Mike was in the ring,( instead of Stewart ) that he may have capitalized at that point. I still like Holyfield to win when both were at thier respective bests, due to the fact that I think he was better equipped from an all around sense to stand up to Mike than most of his previous victims like Tubbs, Biggs, Tucker, Thomas, etc... But I don't say it with as much conviction anymore.

 

This is true and really doesnt describle Holyfield as some dynamic super ring smart fighter in the early stages of his heavyweight campaign. He loved to brawl and as he moved up in weight, he was getting hit by bigger guys and paying the price. He was quick and an excellent counterpuncher, but his affection for brawling had to be curbed.

He lost to Bowe because he didnt use his boxing ability. He tried to outslug a bigger man, and he got into trouble on several occasions trying to do the same by lessor fighters who never had the finishing capabilities of Tyson.
Just like Tyson, Holyfield was looking vulnerable in a different way leading up to his fight with Bowe. He needed to make changes.

 

Does that mean you think the '89 Tyson would perform better against '91 Holyfield than the '91 incarnation?*

Personally i'd say that the opposite is true, against Bruno he was a mere headhunter, whereas Tyson showed a great body attack against Ruddock & I've previously stated how vital body punching would be.
Additionally, having a quality trainer in Giachetti to advise & motivate Tyson during tough moments of the battle would be important.


*If you meant if Tyson & Holy fought in '89, then I agree.

 

The Holyfield of the early 90's was a magnificent fighter. But I don't know if he'd have the right gameplan at that stage to beat a pre prison Mike.

The Holyfield that actually beat Tyson had two big things working for him which the younger version didn't have.

One: The experiences of being defeated. This caused him to realize his own limitations and he began using his brain more than his brawn. This was crucial.

Two: Holyfield had packed serious muscle on. This was crucial in their fight because it helped him move Tyson back and made it easier for him to tie Tyson up. This is made even more important as well because it put more power in his punches (adding muscle helps power, don't deny it) and it helped his durability. The massive traps and neck he developed helped him absorb punishment, no doubt in my mind.

Now, the Holyfield of 91 had the advantages of stamina, speed, and quickness over his old version but I don't think they are quite as crucial in this particular matchup.

Not sure who I'd pick. It all depends on whether or not Holyfield chooses to fight the right fight. If he does (or can) he wins.

 

Tyson was more hungry against Ruddock than Bruno, that's the big difference. He wanted his title back.

Ruddock was the main reason Holy-Tyson didn't happen until later. Or one can say the ref was. The first fight wasn't really that competitive. Ruddock had one good round and then got hurt and stopped although it was a bit of a premature stoppage. Shouldn't of had the rematch.

 

True, but Don King didnt want any part of Holyfield. It wasnt until Tyson bailed King for Steve Wynn that King was forced to make the fight with Holyfield. Main Events flat out refused to give King options on Holyfield if he won, and thats why King threw him right back in with Ruddock. He used that controversy to go for the rematch. Had Holyfield either signed with King or been with King, the fight would have happened, King never cared who held the title, only that he was in control of them.

 

I agee, that's certainly another factor as to the superiority of '91 Tyson.

Thanks for sharing that lefthook, now I have another reason to despise King even more, if that's possible.

 

Upon firing Aron Snowel and Jay Bright, Tyson's team acquired the veteran trainer Rich Giachetti, who worked with Larry Holmes for several years. While Tyson never recovered the fire or skillset that he had with Rooney, he was better in 1991, than he was from 1989 to 1990, under the instruction of Bright and Snowel. I also think that the Douglas loss was a wake up call.

 

Tyson should have fought Holyfield before going to prison. He shouldn't have rematched Ruddock and the first fight with Holyfield ultimately had to be postponed due to a reoccurring rib injury that Tyson sustained in the rematch with Ruddock where his ribs were broken.

 

They remained in his corner but were reduced to bucket carriers.

 

Yeah, I forgot about that. Thanks.