How Would The 88 Version Of Tyson, Fare Against The 1981 Hvght Landscape?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Oct 6, 2025.

?

How would Tyson do in 1981?

  1. He'd beat anyone then

    8 vote(s)
    53.3%

  2. He'd beat most but lose to Holmes

    7 vote(s)
    46.7%

  3. He'd have a few losses,a lot more than he picked up in the 1990s

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Page 1 of 2
  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2017
    Messages:
    29,793
    Likes Received:
    36,547
    Tyson of 1988, how would he have done thrown in against the heavyweight s of 1981?
    Larry Holmes top gun, unbeaten 37-0.
    Gerry Cooney, rising challenge, heavy hitting.
    Old guard Shaver s, still dangerous though.
    Berbick, tough durable.
    Guys like Dokes, weaver,Snipes.

    Question is can Tyson beat the best around and become undisputed top dog again?
     
    Fergy, Oct 6, 2025
    #1
    Stevie G and Sangria like this.
  2. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2014
    Messages:
    19,120
    Likes Received:
    20,638
    Needs clarification. Does Tyson turn pro in ‘81 at 16? Or are we taking an ‘85 Tyson and throwing him in ‘81?
     
    swagdelfadeel, Oct 6, 2025
    #2
    Fergy likes this.
  3. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2005
    Messages:
    52,996
    Likes Received:
    44,906
    He'd reign for mine.
     
    JohnThomas1, Oct 6, 2025
    #3
    swagdelfadeel and Fergy like this.
  4. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2017
    Messages:
    29,793
    Likes Received:
    36,547
    88 Version mate, he's just taken Spinks out then thrown right in to 81.
     
    Fergy, Oct 6, 2025
    #4
    swagdelfadeel likes this.
  5. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2017
    Messages:
    29,793
    Likes Received:
    36,547
    So pretty much the best version of Tyson but only a year or so left before his first loss.
     
    Fergy, Oct 6, 2025
    #5
    Journeyman92 and swagdelfadeel like this.
  6. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2024
    Messages:
    4,851
    Likes Received:
    4,243
    The 88 HW landscape was better than the 81 HW landscape. By a lot.

    Cooney seems like a tough out but if Spinks could beat him see no reason to doubt Mike.
     
    HistoryZero26, Oct 6, 2025
    #6
  7. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2007
    Messages:
    51,210
    Likes Received:
    25,519
    I think he’d beat that whole 1981 top 10 and most likely Holmes as well.
     
    mr. magoo, Oct 6, 2025
    #7
    Jakub79, InMemoryofJakeLamotta, JohnThomas1 and 1 other person like this.
  8. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2007
    Messages:
    51,210
    Likes Received:
    25,519
    mr. magoo, Oct 6, 2025
    #8
    Sangria, InMemoryofJakeLamotta and Fergy like this.
  9. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2017
    Messages:
    16,395
    Likes Received:
    11,826
    Would have been a journey man
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Oct 6, 2025
    #9
    Fergy likes this.
  10. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2005
    Messages:
    61,929
    Likes Received:
    46,745
    Give him the three and a half years of top prime he had and he would clear out that division. But cocaine, booze and broads would still be there waiting with open arms.
     
    Seamus, Oct 6, 2025
    #10
    Jakub79 and Sangria like this.
  11. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2017
    Messages:
    16,395
    Likes Received:
    11,826
    Tyson may have to watch out for Leon Spinks and Tex Cobb
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Oct 6, 2025
    #11
    Fergy and Sangria like this.
  12. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2010
    Messages:
    9,023
    Likes Received:
    3,855
    Might even be an easier gamut to run through.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2025
    Sangria, Oct 6, 2025
    #12
    Fergy likes this.
  13. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2017
    Messages:
    29,793
    Likes Received:
    36,547
    **** I'd forgotten about King Cobb and Neon Leon!!
     
    Fergy, Oct 6, 2025
    #13
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta likes this.
  14. Jakub79

    Jakub79 Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2024
    Messages:
    1,050
    Likes Received:
    1,167
    He'll win against Holmes and Cooney, and then lose to some Tokyo Douglas of the time. It could even be Trevor Berbick, who wasn't as good in 1981 as he was in 1996. It would probably be Larry in a rematch, though. Mike Tyson is literally Leon Spinks 2, with a slightly longer list of victories.
     
    Jakub79, Oct 7, 2025 at 2:50 AM
    #14
  15. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2008
    Messages:
    28,152
    Likes Received:
    13,116
    Holmes is the only one I can see who poses a real challenge. Hard to say how that one would have gone.
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2025 at 7:39 AM
    Bokaj, Oct 7, 2025 at 3:43 AM
    #15
    swagdelfadeel, InMemoryofJakeLamotta and Stevie G like this.
Page 1 of 2