Ike Vs Lennox Lewis 1999 ( Title shot)? Evander Holyfield 1997-98( Title shot)? Mike Tyson 1999? Michael Grant 1999? David Tua 1998(rematch)?
Ike vs Lewis is 50/50 fight Ike beats late 90s Holyfield,Tyson, Grant David Tua rematch would be interesting and also a fight on which I won't bet.
I'd love to have seen him progress and fight those sort of fights. He beats Grant and Tyson I'm pretty sure. Holyfield was still good at that point but not sure if a younger, stronger guy like Ike would have been an advisable fight for him to take. It could possibly end in a KO loss for him. Lewis was good enough to get a decision over him but not without it's dangers.
The rematch with Tua would be easier, Ike made a lot of mistakes in it, this time he would avoid them. Still a tough, close fight but Ike UD. The fight with prime Lewis is 50/50. Lewis doesn't convince me, Ike is better than Mercer 96 and Holy 99 but maybe style would make the fight. Let Lewis be very very close. Ike vs Holy 97-98.. that's the difference. With Tyson and Moorer Evander looked great and I would bet on Ike with this Holy. But with Bean he looked weak. So which Holy? In my opinion Holy close decision, after the war. Ike vs Tyson 99, easy bet. Ike by KO, unless Mike disqualifies himself. Grant - no point in talking about it. Grant is a nice guy and a marketing product. Maybe if he was kept away from the top for another year or two he would have achieved something. This Grant we saw with Savarese and Golota - he has no chance with Ike. Wasn't this fight planned?
Ike priced himself out of the fight. That’s why Grant fought Golota. Grant’s team definitely believed in him.
Lewis would’ve outclassed and beaten up Ike. Holyfield from the Lewis rematch probably had enough to edge Ike in a dirty fight. Ike was fairly predictable for a brawl with Holyfield. Tyson probably didn’t have enough at that point due to stamina, but we don’t really know bc his fights never went long enough. Grant would probably get caught with something. Tua could go either way.
Ike is overrated. Lewis is not a 50/50 fight. Holyfield in 1998 would be a slight favorite. Tyson was too past it in 1999 to win this
