I don't think that he was in the condition to get up, and even if he had, Holyfield likely would have repeated the knockdown shortly after. Douglas showed up in dreadful condition for that fight, and did not seem mentally focussed either. A better prepared Douglas might have given Holyfield more trouble.
He was out of shape (Buster) and his head wasn't screwed on straight for Holyfield. If you had the Douglas that showed up against Tyson that night in Tokyo, it would be all academic as he would have outclassed and defeated Evander, late tko, or decision. That version of Buster was to me, perfection. What he did to Tyson wasn't done by a stunt double or with mirrors, no, he showed what he was capable of doing, when mentally and physically "on".
yes i believe he was in good enough shape to have gotten up, just. But Holy would have bombed his ass clean out soon after, and Douglas could have gotten himself hurt badly. So he stayed down.
We're on identical lines in this one, totally agree and i'll add "would" have given Holyfield more trouble. My prediction? Douglas was quite switched on and showing much of his talent vs Tucker before succumbing, as much mentally as physically IMO. Not many test your mettle better than Holyfield, and i see him wearing Douglas down eventually in similar vain to post a later stoppage. Douglas was very very very talented. A scintilating belnd of speed and power, excellent reflexes and a top shelf jab.
Yes. The punch stunned him but he was lucid lying on the floor. He even checked his face for blood. Buster simply chose to take the easy way out.
