Would anyone favor a 190 pound or less fighter against a prime Tyson, a fighter with MW speed and precision or thereabouts with awesome HW power? A lot of people seem to think he'd absolutely brutalize guys without the strength and size to tie him up to eek out decision losses. Some names... Max Schmeling Jack Sharkey Jim Corbett Bob Fitzsimmons Young Stribling Mickey Walker
Tyson ko 1. Yea yea all these guys either heavyweight champions or fought heavyweights, but that was when heavyweights were smaller. Tyson is bigger and faster than anyone they ever faced. They would not have the strength to hold him off or the speed to avoide him.
I honestly think Tyson gets most of them out of there inside a round, maybe two for some of the really, really durable ones. They're all tough, but Kid Dynamite was a freak. The smaller/shorter fighters I'd favour him to just walk right through, I feel he'd do a similar job on Joe Louis, who's one of my favourite fighters, and even get to Marciano and put him away within five. Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore wouldn't fare much better either IMO. I'm sure I'll catch a huge amount of flak for this but I don't feel there are many Heavys that I'd favour against 'Prime' Tyson.
After his 1989 masterclass against a well conditioned 220 pound Greg Page (who was still only 30 years old), I thought Orlin Norris might be the man to be able to pull this off against the still undefeated Tyson, and felt this way even after Norris dropped down to 190 pounds to campaign as a cruiserweight. Of course the time for him to attempt this would have been in the early 1990s, and the opportunity just wasn't there. By the time they did meet, I no longer had any interest. So yes, during what would have been some of Mike's own prime years, there was at least one 190 pounder his age who I believed was capable of pulling off this upset. (After leaving the cruiserweights, Orlin avenged an earlier defeat to Tony Tucker with a ten round decision win, proving that he did not drop down to 190 because he had lost his heavyweight viability.) With wins over heavyweight title claimants Tucker, Page and McCall, Orlin Norris was one 5'11" natural cruiserweight with a 70" reach who proved he could play very well with the big boys.
I wouldnt even give Marciano/Dempsey a cat in hells chance of getting out the out the first 3 without being carryed out on a stretcher. For the smaller man Tyson presents the following problem: 1. Tyson was great P4P. Hes got a better defense, hits harder, has a better chin, is faster than any of the top 175-190lb men. 2. Smaller men have weaker chins, they dont have the neck strength/leg strength to absorb those monster punches 3. Even if they have a great defense Tyson is so fast and accurate he'll land his best shots anyway
I don't think that it is impossible for a sub 190lb fighter to beat Tyson. He is only human and some fighters in that size range have significant physical advanntages in terms of reach and height. If sombody like Gene Tunney could survive the early rounds then I could see them taking a decision for example. Of the names listed Jim Corbett would probably have the best chance simply by virtue of being the most elusive.
I'd give Tunney a chance but Corbett, no way. Different sport back then. Anyway, out of every sub 190 lb fighter that's ever lived, Rocky is the one with the best chance. I don't feel quite as confident with Tyson against guys his own height as his entire style revolved around him being the smaller man, as well as him simply rarely if ever fighting quality opponents under 6 feet. It would be something very new to him.
Charles, Walcott, Moore, Dempsey and Marciano would have the best chance with the first three aiming to outbox him work behind the jab and frustrate him with their movement and counter Mike. The latter two would try to get on the inside and most likely weather an early storm and beat Tyson down the stretch. I don't really see any of these guys beating Tyson he is a bad match for majority of sub 190 guys due to the fact he would still probably be quicker then they are not to mention his huge power and durability. Guys like Patterson and Tunney would follow these five with outside chances but again I envision Tyson taking them out early.