I’d pick Evander to take a hard fought decision. Tim was past his prime but still durable, dangerous and awkward
I agree. Tim loses this one. However, i do wonder why neither Bowe nor Holyfield nor comebacking Holmes/Foreman fought Tim during this 88-91 period. High risk, low reward. Obviously you would have to favour an up and coming Bowe over an aging Witherspoon but Timmy has a chance here to cause problems. I actually think this version of Tim likely beats Foreman at this stage.
Witherspoon didn't have his head fully in the game around this time (he even admits it). Holyfield by decison with a knockdown along the way.
Holyfield wasn't losing at that time to anyone. He had a significant edge in quickness but also his determination would get him through any rocky moments Tim might offer. It's a good fight. Witherspoon would teach him some things but Evander wins a clear decision.
Spoon gets beaten, things get real bad flr him toward the end of the fight. The Spoon of the Holmes fight would stop this early Holy imo. Too big, with some really good skills.
I think Spoon would whip himself into the best shape he'd ever be in so this bout would prove quite interesting. This might be another Alex Stewart and Michael Dokes type war and I'm surprised Spoon was never on Holyfield's radar around this time. Holyfield should win this.
He was actually considered as a possible opponent after the Adilson Rodriguez fight as was orlin Norris, and Francesco Damiani . They went with Stewart instead. I’m guessing that a title fight with Tyson was too eminent by that point to risk blowing it on someone like Witherspoon.
Yeah instead of choosing a dangerous veteran former champion, they went with a prospect with a padded record with no experience. The WBA magically slapped a #2 rating on Stewart and presto !!! You had a serious fight among top contenders. Truth is they were saving Evander for Tyson and didn’t want to take chances…..or so I think
Tim sued Don King in 1987. I think the lawsuit finally went to trial in 1992, five years later (he won $900K from what I’ve read). King controlled most of the top heavyweights during that period of time so Witherspoon didn’t have a lot of options to get fights.
I honestly think Tim would have had a chance if he had gotten in shape. But, character matters, so you have to pick Holy.
