:tomb Tyson would have been KNOCKED OUT in 3 or 4 rounds, Lewis was at his peak around 96, 97, AND he would have had a field day with Mike.. In 96, Mike was looking for guy's he knew he could probably beat, he was ready to fight Morrison in May 96, but no way that was gonna happen after Morrison was diagnosed with HIV, then weak ass Seldon, THEN Holyfield who he thought would be a walk in the park due to a bad heart.. If Morrison wouldn't have tested positive for HIV that would in my opinion have been a 50-50 fight, and it would have probably been at the time the highest grossing fight in the history of boxing, white hopes always sell, case in point Cooney, Holmes....
I have to go with Lewis. While we were certainly looking at a better version of Tyson in 1996 than the one from 2002, the same would hold true for Lennox. Mike Tyson was prime from 1986-1991, with 87-88 being his peak. The Tyson post prison was a dangerous force but by no means upper echelon.
Abdolutely mr. Magoo. Though on another note, I do not think prime Morrison is even monet against '96 Tyson, he was atop contender, but flawed. Against '02 mostly washed up Tyson, THAT makes sense.
Totally disagree. Lee Haney had Holyfield roided to the rafters. Evander was walikng right through mikes power punches with his head barely moving. It was like he felt no jabs or hooks that caught him flush. Lennox would've had real problems against any earlier version or the Mike that fought Evander 2x's...
96 Mike wasn't Golota this is no joke for Lennox. If Lennox comes out aggressive he"s getting KOed. Tough fight, Mike was so durable. Lewis could stop this version late, however I feel Mike at this point would have enough motivation to dent Lewis's Chin. Tyson behind to KO Lewis in 6.
All the steroids in the world won't give you the chin or heart Holyfield had. There were times in the first fight when Holyfield go hurt. 1 was in the first 5 seconds of the fight with a straight right that wobbled him and in the 5th round from a nasty body punch/uppercut combo that had him reeling. Holyfield could have looked for an exit and quit but everytime he got hurt, he just bit down on his mouthpiece and fired back. Tyson couldn't handle a man who would take it and keep coming back. Lewis would be a completely different fight. From the get go Lewis would be dominating with his hammer jab and dynamite uppercut. Tyson would take(as Tommy Brooks said) an old school Mississippi style ass whoopin' that grama's lime soap couldn't wash out!
I'm on the fence with this one. Lewis wouldn't be able to grit it out Holyfield style. Plus Lennie just passed, barely, his trial by fire against Mercer. And I remember Ring magazine posing the question "Is Lewis tough enough for Tyson?" I think Tyson took Holyfield lightly and trained his ass off for Bruno and Seldon, so taking Lewis lightly is obviously not in the running. Tyson had far more left in '96 than in '02, far more. His confidence levels were high and borderline cawky. I think it all depends if Lewis fights Mercer or not before facing Tyson. If not he's in trouble. If so he might have a small advantage.
Tyson was matched to softly after prison mcneely, Mathis, scared stiff Bruno and seldon to be ready for Lewis. Lewis did fight somewhat timidly against Tyson in 02 that would of been far more dangerous against 96 mike, he also struggled with Mercer it's an interesting match up one I favor Lewis in but don't count Mike out either.
if tyson never blew him away early he would get stopped late . prime tyson 86/88 beats any version of lewis and it wouldnt be close .
Interesting, Tyson would have been a little better though so too would Lewis, if Tyson wins it would be by way of a bomb, but if Lewis avoids the big punch as he did when they eventually fought, i figure a similar result with Lewis winning by stoppage in about 8 or 9 rounds.
Pre prison Tyson beats any version of Lewis but after coming outta jail in 95 Lewis would have won anytime they would’ve fought