(Old) Holmes posed absolutely no problem for Tyson when the did fight. I've seen people say Holmes won a round, or troubled Tyson, and I wonder what fight they were watching. Tyson was totally in command of that fight. Considering Holmes had still been champ a couple years before, and went on to compete at a high level later, it's hard for me to imagine that "prime" Holmes was ever sufficiently above that version of himself to overcome the level of dominance that Tyson had over him. Tyson tko 7 prime for prime.
Tyson by KO early. Larry never fought anything like a prime Tyson while Mike contended successfully with more than a few guys in Holmes' mold.
Larry always dropped that great jab of his. Predominantly his opposition could not capitalize on this technical flaw. Reason was Larry was pretty quick to keep out of harms way and his jab was so hard and fast opponents rarely had the skill to overcome it. To me it boils down to whether Tyson would have the speed and timing to land on that jab. He did when they fought but it was an old and out of condition Holmes in the ring that night. My bet would be that Tyson does land his right hand and stops Holmes somewhere around the seventh round.
So Holmes can take a flush rt hand from Shavers get up and beat his ass in the same round but he can't take Tysons rt hand?? I don't think so. Holmes takes his heart and either stops him or makes him quit on his stool.
Shavers had power but was otherwise pretty limited. He lacked Tyson's fast and precise combinations. If Tyson clobbers him the way Shavers did, Larry isn't surviving.
Great post If Tyson hurt Larry anywhere nearly as badly as Shavers did, Tyson would pounce with speed and accuracy. Ernie plodded after a shaken Holmes looking to land another lucky single homerun punch. Hell, James Tillis, who wasn't as hurt as Holmes was, survived Shavers much the same way.
Holmes did everything Buster Douglas did but 10 times better. No way Tyson beats prime Holmes. No way.