Is there a collective bias putting "Prime Tyson" over Lewis?

I like Mike as a fighter a lot better than Lewis. Most boxing fans do. His savagery, mystique and entertaining style just make him a lot more prominent fighter in the minds of most fans and rightfully so. I find myself guilty of dismissing Lewis' chances against a prime Tyson because of this bias, but thinking things through rationally...

I honestly just don't see there being much proof in opposition that a prime Tyson would beat a Prime Lewis. Lewis was just too big, and too good. Not easily intimidated. Had all the tools to put Mike away. He beat him rather easily when they fought and if Douglas could what he did to Mike I think Prime Lewis would have been a nightmare for him then too.

 

Douglas fought an undisciplined Tyson and still needed a long count to win. People had problems with prime mike because he was smarter than people give him credit for. He knew how to effectively get inside and position himself to maximize his punching power. Combine that with blistering speed and a good tight guard and he was damn near unstoppable. I see Lennox trying to prove that he will not be intimidated and getting ko'd.

 

NO, Tyson was just better!

 

A true 50/50 bout,in my opinion. The 1988 Tyson v the Lewis of 1997. Lewis' power against Tyson's speed.

 

I have to say, Tillis gave him a lot of trouble just by his footwork and movement.

 

This. Its very 50/50 for me due to Lewis being very Knockoutable. On the other hand his size and strength combined with his power could be used to offset Tyson's attack and stop him in the later rounds.

 

Tyson was a better overall fighter in my opinion. He could handle big strong tall boxers and either put them in survival safe mode or knock them out. I believe Tyson in his prime would make Lewis fight and put him in a situation where he was not as good as Tyson and that would be a close range brawl and Tyson would take him out.

Lewis didnt have the chin to stand with Tyson and the old Tyson who had excellent defensive and counterpunching skills would be catching Lewis and making the fight on his terms. Tyson wouldnt be hit like he was when they faced each other either, and if he was, he wouldnt fold up like he did when they actually fought.

 

I don't know about a collective bias or anything like that, but I don't think it's unreasonable position at all to call it a pick 'em fight. Prime Mike was very impressive, but then again Lewis when the mood took him could be as well.

They both have a style relative to the other man that could be a great asset, or a great liability. Depends.

 

To be fair if Douglas would train like he did for Tyson for every fight he would have been a very strong heavyweight, probably the biggest underachiever in boxing ever.
And Tyson was rather lucky with his knockdown.

Also Mikey and Lewis were sparring partners.

 

IMHO Lewis was greater accomplished more....Tyson was better as I feel that he was more dominant at his absolute peak/prime. H2H I would pick Tyson in less than 5.

 

Tyson was just better and had the perfect package for taking Lewis out.

 

Nope.

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

 

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Foreman Hooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooook!:hat

 

Counts are not done with digital stop watches......Both got up at the count of 10 or just after 10 on each count.

And, Douglas was in far better condition to continue than Tyson was.

 

Tyson pales to Lewis when it comes to achievements in HW boxing. That is a fact. However, prime for prime, it's very difficult to pick a winner. I would still favour Lewis because every time I saw him committed to win a fight he didn't fail me. Not even once.

Tyson never fought someone nearly as gifted as Lewis, while Lewis never fought someone as explosive as Tyson. In my mind this is one of those special fights I would have payed buckets of dollars to see. Even if it meant starving for a week (just kidding, I'm well off).