And Tyson 5.... I think? Twice against Lewis, once against Holyfield, once against Douglas, and once against McBride.
He was down against Danny Williams, not McBride. And Holmes was down 3 timea against Tyson, once to Snipes, once to Shavers and once early in his career. 6 total for Holmes. 5 for Tyson.
Holmes was only down in 4 fights, however wheras Tyson was down in 5. I think their chins are pretty even, maybe a slight edge to Holmes.
So should Holmes have been but he came after Ali. both Holmes and Tyson beat the best out there, Holmes just did it for longer. fans get carried away with Tyson. when Tyson fought them Berbick, Tucker and smith had recent wins over rated fighters but mike spinks, thomas, Tubbs, comeback Holmes himself, Bruno and williams had no wins over rated fighters for years when chalenging Tyson. A lot more of Holmes's title opponents were ripe off of wins against rated fighters. Norton beat young, ocasio beat Young, shavers KOd norton, leon spinks ko'd mercado, berbick KOd tate, cooney KOd norton, snipes drew with coetzee, witherspoon beat snipes, bonecrusher KOd bruno, bey just beat greg page...
You have a good argument. However... 1. Holmes was past his prime when he beat Mercer. Old Tyson never had a win like that after his period in prison. 2. Tyson beat Spinks, who beat an old Holmes. He also beat Holmes. But it wasn't a prime version of Holmes. Now I'll give you my arguments of why I think Holmes ranks higher than Tyson: 1. Beat Norton (past prime, though) and Shavers. This is better than any Tyson win. 2. Tyson had a great career beating contenders in 1987, 1988 and 1989. Holmes dominated much more and beat ranked contenders (much were green, though) since 1979 until 1985. He reached a 48-0 record. What I'm trying to say is that Holmes dominated the division a lot more. 3. Tyson, in his prime, has a defeat against Douglas. Holmes was undefeated and old when he got his first loss, against Michael Spinks. So, in my opinion, Holmes dominated more, had better wins and less damaging loses than Tyson. That's why I rank Holmes above Tyson.
well, they rank close I think.. And in my opinion Holmes ranks higher because he had more defenses and had beat better opposition..
Tyson did beat Bruno, who beat Mcall, Who beat Lennox. And He beat Golota (who beat Bowe) If Holyfield gets credit for beating Douglas (who beat Tyson). Tyson should get credit for Spinks (Who beat Holmes twice) I agree with everything what you said.
Yes but Tysons knockdowns were normaly due to prolonged beatings whereas Holmes was more of a one punch KD
At the same time Holmes was usually caught with a monster shot out of nowhere that he did not see whereas Tyson was just getting beat up until he flopped. He was rarely caught with punches he did not see or with a big haymaker out of nowhere. His defense was better than Holmes's which is why he wasn't really caught with many hard punches unless he was getting beaten up, inwhich case he went down.
Hlolmes went the distance with Holyfield and he was an old fighter by then, and Holyfield was near his prime.. Tyson got whipped by Evander. When Evander had been through many wars. That's why I put Holmes above Tyson. Tyson beat an old Holmes. Spinks was just to quick for Holmes. He was stuck in mud versus Tyson. If Spinks had stood in front of Holmes he would have got his ass handed to him self as well.
Tysons was more consistent during his reign. He never looked like getting beat during any of his title defences. Holmes on the other hand had some close calls. he just about beat norton, was nearly ko'd by snipes and shavers, nearly got beat by witherspoon (some felt he won) Holmes never beat every challenge in sight like tyson The only defence were tyson failed to shine was the bonecrusher fight. every other fight he looked awesome and amazing. He never kod tucker but neevr looked like losing and showed an awesome defence I still rank Holmes higher cos he made more defences, went on longer at the elite lever, later career and also came through some serious momeents of crisis. The Shavers recovery was breathtaking. he also pulled out some excellent wins on the way to the title
Tyson absorbed one punch bombs as well and never went down. Smith, Tucker, Bruno and Ruddock all landed clean shots that staggered Tyson but he didn't fall.
Tucker and smith had recent wins over rated fighters when Tyson fought them but mike spinks, thomas, Tubbs, comeback Holmes himself, Bruno and williams had no wins over rated fighters for years when chalenging Tyson. Douglas was actualy the first chalenger since Tucker who was beating "at that time rated" contenders.