Michael Moorer admits Mike Tyson would destroy him if they fought in the 90s.

I like Moorer. He tends to be a class act.

 

Good to see him honest about it. Moorer always came across as a likeable, classy guy. I think everyone knew that Moorer against Tyson would have potentially been a slaughter so it doesn't surprise me that he thought the same thing as well.

 

Props to Moorer for being honest.

I have to agree. Mike Tyson is about as bad a match up for southpaws as there can be despite him not fighting many left handers.

Tyson's natural strengths all work against southpaws. His straight right hand was an extremely fast and powerful punch that lefties are vulnerable to. And because he had a great chin, he would not be deterred to throw that punch over and over again.

The lefty needs to move to his right to throw his left and that would take him in direct firing range of Tyson's other best punch - the left hook.

Not to mention he had a deadly right uppercut and even a good left upppercut. It's not just the punches individually though, its that he threw them in fast and hard combinations better than anyone since Joe Louis.

Southpaws can often deter orthodox fighters from committing to their right hands by slipping to their right, launching hard lefts and landing them, thus making the orthodox fighters reluctant to throw their right. No such luck with Tyson. Too quick handed, too quick footed, too durable, and just too relentless.

 

That’s very obvious.

 

Moorer still sounds terrific. Very articulate as well. I enjoy hearing him talk boxing especially now he's lost the chip on his shoulder he used to have.

 

I agree. And that's no shade on Moorer. He was still a very good fighter.

 

I will die on the hill that the late career Jirov stoppage is an underrated one considered Moorers age and shape. He hung tough in that one and found a kill shot against one of the most aggressive cruisers ever.

Also kept his cool to rally against a focused and razor sharp Bert Cooper. Moorer didn't always crumple under pressure like some people would have you assume.

 

Probably true. Bert cooper gave him all he could handle in the spring of 1992 and while cooper and Tyson weren’t the same they did bare some similarities. Only Mike Tyson was much better.

 

Southpaw isn't really any advantage against a guy with a large ambidextrous punch selection and big power in anything he threw. If anything, it might be a disadvantage. Moorer was damn good, don't get me wrong, but I can't see him pulling it off against a prime Tyson.

 

It's rare to see old fighters being this honest man, Moorer seems like a fun uncle to talk boxing,he knew his things and was a skilled,worthy champ and contender for a small amount a time,but still good.