Holyfield-Tyson 1991 - Who wins and why?

I rate Tyson higher, but head-to-head Holy has his number. I always felt that and felt ****ing great when he beat him. :happy

 

I would go with Tyson even though he was even than on the decline and Holyfield was prehaps on the top of his game. I think Hoiyfield's "hart" would do him in. Tyson could still hit and Holyfield would do less thn he should to avoid Tyson's punches. All so Tyson's agresiveness wouuld make enough of an impression on the judges to give him close rounds.

 

I'm leaning towards Mike because I dont believe he had Tyson's number rather I believe that Evander aged better than Mike and was able to make adjustments to compensate for his physical shortcomings with regards to a loss of speed and stamina.

In 1991 Tyson could fight for 12 Rounds, he worked the body sporadically and he punched in combination (not like the 80s but certainly better than the post prison version). The consensus is that the fight would be a little bit closer. I'm going with Tyson via decision based on the fact that his aggression would win over the judges effectively giving him the marjority of the close rounds.

To be honest I had a much longer post but for some reason I've lost it all. But for the sake of it I'll just post this for now.

 

The 88 Tyson was when he lost Rooney. He started to show signs of being human and was stunned against Bruno.

 

After Jack's effort i just had to wear it a few weeks. I think "longed for" would be a better term tho

 

What a crock.

 

I think it would be fair to say that both men were past prime, but that Tysons style (dependent on explosive speed, reflexes and upperbody movemnent) can less stand the ageing process than Holyfield's more classic boxing style.

It is also true that Holyfield felt he had Tysons number and would be confident of victory, but this was also true the other way round. Tyson would also be confident.

In short I believe in Holyfield's mental toughness, but I feel that his physical gifts fall someway short of his mindset. The first Bowe fight encapsulates Holyfield for me. Against a true HW with ATG status, who is prime and motivated, I think Holy would often be a very brave loser, but a loser all the same.

Unlike Tyson, Holy at his best was not the best HW on the planet.

Tyson by KO or decision.

 

It is important to examine personal career trajectory when doing these comparisons. Age is important but does not tell the whole story.

Holyfield was still motivated and on a mission in 96, while Tyson had gone off the rails.

 

He looked good enough in the second Bruno fight. In fact, he looked better against Bruno that time out than in 1989. You see, he looked fine against a big soft lemon. Therein lies the difference.

 

96 Holyfield was basically having a heart attack a few months before. Tyson certainly looked far better in his previous two or three contests than Holyfield did. But then again, he always did when no one hit him back. :yep

 

I think Ring predicted an 8th Round TKO for Tyson if I remember correctly (and I usually do). However, its sister publication KO asked 11 'experts' (writers and fighters) for their views and Holy had the edge: 5-3 in rating their strenghts and weaknessess. Then 3 more were asked of the outcome and all went for Holy. Eddie Futch felt that Tyson was 'made' for Holy style-wise by the way.