How does Tyson vs Lewis in 1996 go?

Tyson was supposed to face Lewis that year before paying him off with 4 million to sidestep, so he could face Seldon, and importantly finally get to face Holyfield.

However, what if they did fight that year?

 

Lewis still wins. Either UD or late stoppage.

You'd need at least pre-prison Tyson to have a chance at beating Lewis.

 

I don't think Lennox had quite peaked in 96 but I still think he stops Mike late here. Post prison Tyson had some cardio issues amongst other things, he was capable of defeating good fighters but not great ones imo.

 

I mean would you rate the Mcall and Rahman who did KO Lewis ahead of '96 Mike?

 

Lewis wins in the last two rounds after taking some heavy fire early on.

Mike starts really well and scares the crap out of Lewis within the first two rounds. He slows way down after eating Lennox's right hand flush a few times. Lewis almost causes a stoppage in the middle rounds, but Mike does enough to hang in there and even rocks him again shortly before getting knocked stupid by the right, floored and stopped after another savage shot.

Prime Mike stops 1996 Lewis in 5.

Steward-era Lewis pulverizes post-prison 1990s Mike, it would be a far worse scene than the original topic outcome (above). Mike would be horribly outboxed, swole up all over until practically unrecognizable, ultimately knocked clean out in 10.

 

It's not that simple.

Lewis proved both those wins were proverbial "punchers chances" and that they would never repeat those wins again in 10 attempts (especially Rahman).

I would also give 96 Tyson a punchers chance, but that's it. It was also easier for Rahman and McCall to land overhand rights with their 6'2 frames with long arms. Tyson's best punches were hooks and uppercuts, but he did have a good right hand.

 

This pretty much sums up how I see it.

 

Lewis wins fairly easy. Tyson always has a punchers chance but he really didn't have the combination punching that he had prior to his prison stent.

 

I don't know. Tyson was still pretty formidable but Lewis was good. Unless Tyson lands some hard shots square on the chin, I think Lewis takes it.

 

I'd have to go along with Lewis also, Tyson had slipped so far by then.

 

Now Prime Tyson versus Prime Lewis is an interesting prospect, I can't decide on a winner in that one.

 

Well said. This is an almost prime Lewis against a Tyson who needs no introduction, & I’d take Lewis by decision.

1988 Tyson vs, say 2000 Lewis I think I’d go the other way.

 

With Lewis drooling on the floor

 

Lewis Destroys him if we take a punchers chance out of the equation, that's it.

The thing with Lewis ,is, I don't think he will treat Mike the same way he treated Rahman or Mcall.

Mike in 96 was just too hittable.

Watch Mike for instance against Tucker, then watch him against Bruno the first time and it is a pathetic display of head movement.
Ruddock 1 and 2 is one of the worst fights Mike ever had and that shows how much of a **** he gave about the fight game at that point.

Lewis wins by KO the same way Douglas did,because Mike at this point in his career is not elusive enough. I don't give any chance to Mike unless it is 85-88 as after this, a slow ass Bruno almost knocked him out in 1 round because he didn't move his head. He got hit more in Bruno 1 than he did in all of his fights before combined I think

 

The same exact way...................Lennox by ko probably quicker. Let's be honest Lennox was a little shopworn by the time he fought Tyson as well...............just nowhere near as bad as Tyson.

The Lennox that stood and fought Ray Mercer's fight.............and won like that would've folded Tyson.