How would tyson have done against holmes in 86?

What was Larry's greatest win? Split decision over the 34 year old Norton or green and yet still ring rusty Cooney?

And in answer to your question, no, nobody judges Marciano as being great for beating a 38 year old Louis; they also consider wins over the 38 year old Walcott, 34 year old former middleweight Charles and 42 year old light heavyweight Archie Moore before bestowing that greatness on him. As we keep saying, few heavyweight champs have ATG wins on their resumes. Tyson's early resume is no less impresive than many fighters who are unquestionably considered as greats.

Common opponents should not be a gauge in themselves but can give some indication. Spinks beat Holmes, twice, albeit controversially the second time around. Berbick gave a younger version of Larry a good fight. Tyson at 20-21 took about five minutes to swat the pair of them out of his path.

At the age of 20, 21 Tyson was beating fighters who were bigger and more experienced pros than him. In the rush to revise opinions that he wasn't, after all, the greatest ever fighter, we overcompensate and judge Tyson by much harsher criteria than other greats are measured by in my view.

As for this fight, I don't think Larry had the legs to keep away from Tyson so it depends a bit on the ref breaking up clinches as to whether Tyson knocks him out or wins a clear decision. Even at 20 he was a significantly better heavyweight than Michael Spinks.