88 TYSON v. 93 HOLYFIELD - Who Wins? - 15 rounds

I'd pick Tyson in this one, mainly because he was a formidable beast at the peak of his powers.
Physical attributes aside, his aura of invincibilty had yet to be shattered, his confidence was sky high, and he still had Jacobs and Rooney with him. He really came into his own during 1988, where he was at his absolute best.

The 93 version of Holyfield by contrast, was lacking in the ring savvy, experience and physical strength of the later model which tackled Riddick Bowe a second and third time and later beat Tyson.

Holyfield was still very good in '93 of course and possibly at his physical peak, aside from the fact that he was still a relatively small 208. I'm just not convinced he had the discipline then to NOT engage in a slugging match with Tyson and I don't think he had the strength to dominate him in the clinches like he was able to do years later.

Still, no easy fight for Tyson. Any version of Evander would give a peak Tyson trouble. Back in '88 though, Mike was still hungry and without all the mental and emotional baggage of the '96 version which Holyfield eventually fought.
In '88 he still had the discipline and persistence to keep going and maintain the intensity even when things did not always go according to plan (See Tucker fight.)

I think it would have been pretty much a war while it lasted, but I think Tyson would end it within 5 rounds.

 

holyfield in a complete mismatch. it would be worse than thier other two fights. holyfield in a lopsided 4 rounds as tyson would be brutely kod in round 4.

 

^^

 

A fanastic and well thought out post, I'm mostly in agreement 'cept for the brief point I've highlighted. I could see this one going to the scorecards most likely a close, but clear UD/SD in Tysons favour (perhaps a late stoppage victory for Tyson, due to accumulation). Holyfield always gives Tyson a hellish fight, however his slug happy tendancy at this stage could well eventually tell when up against a peak '88 Tyson.

Incidently, I think Holyfield (without question!) has Tysons number- at any stage post 1990 onwards ... :good

 

Thank you and I agree on your assesment post 1990.

 

The Tyson of the Spinks fight beats Holyfield. Whether by decision or by knockout, he beats Holyfield.

 

calling mike tyson...calling mike tyson........hello...hi mike, its evander holyfield, iv got your number................wide ud or late rounds stoppage for evander.....

 

I think stylistically, Holyfield is a bad matchup for Mike. But then again, Holyfield fought a version of Mike that was no where close to the one in 88'. I'd have to give Mike the nod on this one, because I just can't see him losing at his peak except to maybe a few ATG fighters like Ali and Foreman. Holyfield would have certainly been his toughest fight at that point, but I think Mike would ultimately win via KO.

 

Tyson with in six rounds. This isn't 1996. Holyfield would be to eger to engage Tyson. Tyson would make Holyfield miss and counter him.

 

Tyson is able to outwork Holyfield and stop him in the mid rounds or win by close but clear UD. Holyfield wasn't as strong as he was in 96 and Tyson was much better in 88 than 96.

 

Holyfield wins if he can make it out alive in rounds 1-3. Most likely, Holyfield would score a close UD or late stoppage, due to his determination, conditioning, and heart. Tyson, whether it be a prime version or not, always faded in the later rounds because his style requires a lot of energy. Would Tyson be able to dispatch Holyfield in the first half of the fight, or would Holyfield win down the stretch? Thats the million dollar question.

 

I used to think Tyson, back before they were going to fight in the 80s/pre-90, but now, after all of what I've seen, no, I have to admit, Holy was just too damn tough for him. Evander would have taken it and dished it back, and eventually would have won out just like he did. Evander didn't hit as hard, but he was faster, more skilled, better defense and chin, better condition, better mental toughness. Tyson would spectacularly KO many more guys than Evander, and look better in more fights, like Foreman to Ali, but head to head, I think Evander wins every time.

 

I think Tyson was far more talented in every aspect, but Holyfield had to earn everything. Unlike Tyson, Holyfield always had something to prove. He was more inspired, and inspiration goes a long way. He had more of a reason to fight, while Tyson had more reason to lose. Complacency, along with the lack of a support system, led to Tyson's demise.

 

That's actually a nice way of looking at it and you make a good point. It doesn't change my opinion, but nonetheless a refreshing way of looking at Holyfield v Tyson.