1996-Tyson vs Lewis - What would have happened?

I remember he was far less skilled but his physical talent was still there and he was very aggresive.

 

Lewis could have ended that fight a lot sooner, he knew that Tysons only chance from the 3rd round onwards was a lucky punch and saw no reason to give him the oppotunity.

 

Oh yeah no doubt, what I was saying is that before the 2 holyfield fights he still had that Tyson invincible savage animal aura about him didnt he.

Possibly even exaggerrated by prison and all the 'baddest man on the planet' nonsense.

 

There was no way out for Bowe at the time though - either vacate (and look scared) or fight.

Had he just held a single title he could have vacated and challenged somebody else and strung some bull**** together - but Lewis was hot after destroying Ruddock.....

In effect he vacated the undisputed title!

 

Lennox Lewis was paid money, not to fight Mike Tyson.

Lennox Lewis would of beat him, the same way Evander Holyfield did.

But by Knock Out..!

 

As opposed to knock out?

 

"Shot" is one of those overused words but I think he was starting to show signs of decline in the year before he went into prison aged 25-26 and was defineatly never the same fighter after he got out when approaching 30.

I think the initial decline was as much a lifestyle/ motivation issue as anything but the second one was physical as well as mental.

 

Maybe Lennox would have invented some incredible new style of ko just for this fight

 

I don't think Tyson beats any version of Holyfield or Lewis.

 

That may be your best post ever :good

 

I don't see any version of Tyson beat LL... LL would ve probably domanited tyson, till tyson went crazy and ended up DQ'd or TKO'd..

 

Really?
A peak Tyson couldn't KO Bonecrusher Smith, Mitch Green or James Tillis so I'm not as sure as you are about the KO tbh.

1996? Lewis, UD or TKO take your pick.

The reason is simple, Kevin Rooney. The biggest mistake Tyson ever made, EVER made, was getting rid of the only guy on this planet who knew how to train him/discipline him properly. From then on the lateral movement the flush bodyshot/ head upper cut combinations became less frequent.

Look at his record. His last good win came in 1988. 8 years prior 1996. I'll give him credit for the 1991 round 7 tko of Ruddock but thats it, (thats right I don't count Bruno).
Compare this to Lewis getting stronger and on the ascendancy.

Lewis for me.

Oh, and when offered 4 million to side-step, 99.99% of people take it. Only a fool wouldn't. $4 million then is what? $10 million today? Damn straight.:good

 

Lennox would've beat Tyson in 96', he would've beat Holyfield at any point in their careers. He did beat Tyson to a damn pulp later and beat Holyfield two out of two also.

Why do you hate lennox so much is the real question here? Also, I could use a refresher and I'm sure everyone else could too. What were the circumstances again with the guaruntee and step aside money. Why the step aside money? What strings were tied to the 13.5mil? What were the two fighters other options at the time?