1988 Tyson vs 2010 Wlad Klitschko

Tyson stops a very tired, worn-down Wladimir on his feet after about seven rounds. I think by 2010 Wladimir had become too wiley and safety-first to be wrecked in double quick time like the 2003 version of himself would probably have been, but at the same time I've never seen anything to suggest he'd be in with a shot against the best version of Tyson, which was 1987-88. Tyson at that point was outjabbing tall, rangy guys like Tucker and Biggs, staying patient when he needed to and really knew how to punish the body.

Granted, Wladimir's right hand is a much more dangerous shot than anything Tucker or Biggs (or, while we're talking about this kind of style, Thomas) had in their arsenal. But I think Tyson's chin is too solid to get broken with one shot, and I think Wladimir, true to form, would just be too cautious and too wary of Tyson's own power to let more than one, maybe two shots go at any given moment.

I think Wladimir does pretty well early doors, maybe winning a couple of rounds or at the very least making them competitive, but I don't think he's got the aggressive inclinations to discourage Tyson, and I think once Tyson starts tagging him he'll begin to falter and unravel, which we've seen before. Tyson would have to bide his time, but I think he chops Wladimir down (figuratively, at least) eventually.

 

Tyson stops him in 2-4 rounds

 

Tyson is overrated and Wlad is overrated. Tyson still brutally knocks out Wlad in less time than Corrie Sanders did. Tyson could be out boxed. Wlad isn't a great mover who could do that. Wlad can't handle pressure. Tyson would put pressure on him. Wlad has a glass chin. Tyson's chin was solid. It always took numerous punches for rounds to stop him. Tyson by first round massacre.

 

Tyson by brutal KO before four

 

88 Tyson mentally disintegrates Wlad before the the fight leaving him like a rabbit in the headlights and smashed quickly like Spinks, and like Sanders did to Wlad.

Prime Vitali however is a VERY different proposition for Mike.

 

Tyson disintegrates him when they touch gloves at the centre of the ring. Nobody could stand up to the legendary (possibly mythical) PRIME TYSON (TM)

 

I think prime Mike is a bad match up for Wlad at any stage of WK's career.

The more experienced and stronger Wlad of 2010 will survive longer against Tyson than he did in 2003 against Sanders, even if it is mostly by jabbing and grabbing. Against Sanders he looked lost at sea and too open against a hard hitting southpaw grabbing his last chance.

2010 Wlad is TKO'd in the mid rounds against prime Tyson, imo.

 

I think Tyson gets Wlad out in about 4 rounds but he'sgot to win early Theres no way Tyson would survive 12 rounds of Wlad's clinches, leaning Mike's relatively little ass through ropes would sap every once of his energy.

 

This is the right summary, in that Tyson would have to do it really early, before his power fades late and before Wlad sets the fight into a rhythm. Wlad will look to technically dismantle Tyson, and Tyson would have to turn it into Hagler / Hearns.

Personally I give Wlad a substantial edge, because Tyson struggled wih the clinch and several fighters used it to frustrate the hell out of him. Holyfield took him apart technically. Wlad is the master at both aspects.

Tyson would need to stay out of the clinches at all costs - but also not hang around at long range either, because that's when Wlad jabs and 1-2's the crap out of him. That means Tyson has to keep it at a medium distance where his own blows have full leverage and where Wlad is hampered from using his length. I'm skeptical that he could do it because Wlad has always been very good at creating space or closing space down.

On the other hand Tyson at his explosive best only needs a small window to uncork in, so of course he has a chance, but I'd bet on Klitschko.

Edit: a ref that doesn't tolerate clinching at all would probably make me favour Tyson.

 

What Prime Vitali? He would be different because of what? His pretend great chin? He took one uppercut from Lewis and didn't go down so that means he has a great chin? Lewis also landed that same punch against Mercer over and over and couldn't knock him down. A past his prime Holyfield did knock down Mercer. Vitali was hurt other times against Lewis by jabs. Vitali was hurt badly by china chin 38 year old Corrie Sanders. Tyson would not only hurt Vitali he would knock him out.