Best old time heavyweight to beat prime Tyson

The only way the sailor wins is if he takes him to sea and pushes him off the boat.

Tyson was sparring guys like Carl Williams at age 16.

 

Louis would never have the physicality or style to trouble Tyson much. Liston had that brute toughness and at least would make Tyson think enough to where he would have to respect him more.

I really don't think any 200 pounder would have ever beat Tyson even on his worst day.

 

Pre-60s. So, Clay is out.

Mythical Liston maybe. Real Liston, probably not.


IMO Louis is the best bet but even then I would not bet on him. Under the rules of their times, I think Jeffries, Johnson, Willard and Dempsey have a chance as well, not under modern rules though. Hm, as an outside pick Max Baer of not blown out early might get to Mike late, very unlikely though. In the end, I think Tyson would be my pick over all of them with the exception of the 50/50 with Louis. He was that good then.

 

Well, we have to pick somebody, right?

 

Willard would have been highlight reel material. Don't even go there.

 

Likely. But under his rules, if he is standing post the 4th-5th round he'd win. Not likely but that was a different sport and Willard was a big, durable guy with loads of endurance and good power.

 

Maybe I'm too contemptuous of Willard. He has just never impressed me with anything beyond his size.

In some ways I think Johnson, with his inside mauling and hit n grab style, would be more frustrating to Tyson. Thomas had reasonable success with that approach and Botha annoyed the hell out of Tyson by clinching him up. I'm not saying that I favour JJ, mind. Only that he coud be more problematic than people think.

 

I think Willard often get's unfairly reduced to size. He was a serious contender and while size was a factor so was his power, durability and endurance. In my head I always compare him to Vitali, like a lesser Version of Vitali with better power but less activity and skills.

Not sure how Johnson's style would hold up under modern rules. He could frustrate the hell out of Tyson if it transfer's well. But he's not active enough. So, I think Tyson would win a decision over 12/15.

 

I think Tyson would be an anomaly in that time. He's like a distillation of all the knowledge those old-timers knew into a little package of destruction. In a way it's a little unfair comparing them, because would Tyson have been Tyson without the slog work done by your Johnsons, Dempseys, Tunneys and Louises? Take all that knowledge and groundwork away and he could be just another slugger.

 

If we exclude Liston ,those in with a shout would be.
Johnson, Dempsey,Louis as far as I'm concerned. All would have problems with his speed into range and fast- handed power. I don't see any other pre 60's guys beating him. I think he would catch up to Tunney at some point,and be too quick for Marciano .I envisage Jeffries getting a messy beating over 12 or 15 rds ,over 20/25 the result gets more clouded.

 

Any fighter with heart....