Douglas that night fought like an A level fighter. I would give him a chance against anyone if he performed like that. Tyson performed like a can and most people would have clocked him.
The Tyson who fought Etienne destroys Wilder.. Only after 2003 would Wilder probably beat Tyson.. When his confidence was at an all time low and physically he just couldn't do it anymore. Just look at Williams in 2004... Tyson was still dangerous, had Williams out on his feet. But his body wouldn't hold up long enough to get the job done.
Tyson k.os wilder gets to him,he would be easier to hit despite the length. Tyson would also know he can punch real hard and try and get him out of there early. Douglas tactic was staying in the middle of the ring...Wilders tactic is leaning on the ropes and trying to dodge and shift punches at weird angles,hes not doing anything to Tyson once on the ropes. wilder wouldnt have the base strength/balance to push Tyson off him ,he would be completey off balance bc he has a wide leg stance. those who voted wilder better read this. lol
The Tyson of the Douglas fight would have won by KO. It is often forgotten that Tyson dropped Douglas for a nine count before he got knocked out himself. Douglas got up because he was determined beyond belief. If Wilder got hit like that I don't think he gets up. That said, Tyson would still have to be on his toes. If Wilder caught him with something stupid, it could be lights out. Wilder's the one with the reprehensible defensive flaws, however, so I will even take a lackadaisical Tyson over him.
I really like Wilder a lot but he has a tendency to get sloppy in there, and with a guy as good as Tyson was in slipping and countering at the precise time, it's hard not to imagine Tyson landing Flush at some point, even an "unfocused" version. And I don't think Wilder would handle that Prime Tyson power the way Douglas did, so I got to go with Tyson by KO, probably around the 9th or 10th imo.
Much earlier than that man... Wilder constantly drops his hands, moves back in straight lines(often dropping his hands in the process) is goofy and clumsy at times. Tyson would take advantage of some of these opportunities and get him out of there early. No way it goes past 5. Tyson brutal KO inside 3. Tyson destroyed much better fighters just before and after he got out of prison. Even 99'-03' Tyson would probably knockout Wilder early...
I'll give Wilder the benefit of the doubt in this hypothetical matchup. I think his size and length would give Tyson problems especially early on, before Tyson starts getting into his groove. Taller boxers always trouble Tyson to a degree, whether it'd be by someone with a longer Jab, or someone who can establish distance, or somebody like Mitchell Green who wasn't afraid to meet him head on who could throw punches in bunches.
I get what you're saying... But the taller heavyweights that gave Tyson issues either had great chins(like Green) great footwork or a combination of both. I can't see someone as flawed and awkward as Wilder nearly going the distance with a young Tyson.. Can you imagine if Tyson hurt Wilder early like Molina did? He would follow up and finish him off.
