Are there any names here that could have at least given Tyson an hard fight? Chris Byrd Hasim Rahman James Toney John Ruiz David Haye Can we call any of these any better than such as Berbick, Smith, Tucker etc?
Chris Byrd could make it interesting for a while. Toney maybe gets stopped for the first time. Rahman - Berbick. Ruiz, he's not seeing 12. David Haye, his big toes not saving him.
I listed the criteria to beat Tyson elsewhere and am too lazy to repost them here. In a nutshell, the boxer must have decent technique, decent chin, should be prepared physically and mentally, should have a plan and should not get intimidated. Chris Byrd: Assuming he goes with the same mindset as he did in the David Tua fight, he has a chance. But he has to counterpunch against a hard hitter with fast hands and it is not easy. If Byrd survives longer, he may have a chance to win on points, but is going to be extremely difficult. Byrd could frustrate Tyson like Botha and Nielsen did, but the main problem for Chris is his lack of punching power. I think Tyson wins by TKO or points. Hasim Rahman: Rahman has to be on his best day to be in any position to beat Tyson. All stars have to align perfectly and yet, I am not confident of an upset. The most likely result is an early knockout loss. James Toney: 'Fat' James Toney had all the ingredients to go up against Mike Tyson and with a finely executed plan, he could win - if the fight took place at Cruiserweight. But at heavyweight, I am not really sure - a points loss is a more likely scenario. John Ruiz: He would get demolished within a few rounds. David Haye: Haye never proved to be good at heavyweight. Beating a giant-sized boxer with health issues and a declined weak champion are not the signs of a good resume. I think he has fewer chances than James Toney and will get stopped.
Tyson vs Haye is one of those fights that could head a 'Biggest mismatches between HOF'ers ' thread. Up there with Hearns vs Norris. It would be a miracle if Haye saw the 3rd round. Rahman and Ruiz would be blitzed badly too, neither of them were as good as Pinklon Thomas. James Toney is an absolute legend, but a fat 225 pound version of him would be hurt against an '88 version of Tyson.
Against prime Tyson not one of them see's seven rds. Byrd , Toney , and Haye would get ko'ed before four rds.
Some of them might have brought different things to the table than Tyson’s actual opponents of 1986-1988 but in the end I think he beats all of them convincingly
Yes if Tyson had been around in the Rahman, Ruiz era, there's not many we can actually say... He'd have had Tyson for breakfast.
They're better than all of Tysons opponents who he beat, but Tyson still beats all of them. Something to take into account is the fear factor for Tyson was at its peak in the 80's. Chances are all those guys listed would be scared of him and it would hinder their performance although even if it didn't, none are going to outbox or outspeed him. As said, he KO's some, wins against others on points.
I think Haye, Rahman, & Ruiz go early, probably within 3 rounds. Chris Byrd? I think he'd last a little longer, but sooner or later would get tagged in similar fashion as with Ike. Mike by 7th or 8th round TKO. Toney? The 217 pound Toney who fought Holyfield would make for a very interesting go with Tyson IMO. Toney had a granite chin, could box, and was a very slick in-fighter. I could see him nullifying Mike's uppercut with that sideways stance, and dipping to his right. He was also a pinpoint puncher with fast hands who I believe could have frustrated Tyson. Mike may have been forced to make some adjustments in this one, and it would have been interesting to see if he could have. Really difficult to give an exact prediction in this one, but I absolutely do NOT see Mike just steamrolling him. James was a master technician, and a really tough dude. I believe this one makes it to the later rounds, and maybe the distance. Not sure if Toney wins this or not, but Tyson is the kind of Heavyweight he could have had success against. Wouldn't completely rule out a Toney decision here IF he's in similar shape as he was vs. Holyfield.
