SHORT ANSWER: A change of sequence of time but for the most part, VERY LITTLE CHANGE in legacy or accomplishments for all fighters involved. LONG ANSWER: Rahman would have fought Tyson. Good chance that Rahman would defeat the 2001 version. I'm not sure, I haven't seen enough of Rahman to comment but I do know that Tyson after the second layoff since Holyfield II was beatable by top fighters in the division. He was nothing like the 1980s or even 1996 version. In fact, in a thread I created earlier, 1992 Razor Ruddock would have dominated and brutally KO'd 2002 Mike Tyson. If Rahman beat Tyson: Lewis' win over Tyson (Lewis would eventually get to Tyson for the money & to have Tyson's name on his resume) would not receive the immediate accolade of accomplishment as it did in actual case. Now a days after the dust has settled, people don't think much of Lewis' win over Tyson. Although with high tech HD 360 angles of the fight - it'll be hard for people to forget the vividness of Lewis' work that night. Even if Marciano's KO of Louis in 1951 was hardly relevant to a prime for prime match up, it is tough to distance yourself from what you SAW in round 4 and not let it influence your outlook in the hypothetical match up. Anyway, nothing would change here. People today don't think much of Lewis' win over Tyson, they'd especially not think much of Lewis' win over a Tyson already beaten by Rahman. Lewis' legacy would slightly be negatively affected. Rahman: his legacy would go up because he'd have a reign that actually lasted. He'd beat Tyson and then Lewis would eventually become No. 1 contender. Lewis destroys him. Had Rahman pulled a Riddick Bowe - that'd REALLY suck for Lewis. Lewis' legacy would be tainted IMO in this case because there wouldn't be that redeeming performance of his to lighten the KO loss to a journeyman. IF Tyson beat Rahman, then Lewis would face him and destroy him as we saw. People would give greater credit to Lewis' win because it was a Tyson coming off a win off of Rahman rather than a lackluster performance against a punching bag in Neilsen. I doubt this'd happen though.
I think that whoever won Ramhan Tyson would not touch Lewis with a barge poll. He would have had to do a lot of work to steer himself into another title fight.
Lewis was by far the best fighter in the division. He would have EASILY earned himself a title shot against either Tyson or Rahman. It may mean a little more work, but he'd earn himself that chance before he physically declined. The big assumption is that Rahman & Tyson would actually step in the ring with him as both knew they'd lose badly.
Agree with your post. Tyson is my fav alltime fighter and felt sad for him in the lewis bout. It was as clear as day that Mike was getting put to the slaughter.Lewis got his retirement fund from the bout and the one and only name he wanted as a win on his resume. Extremely upsetting watching a once great fighter who has nothing left cop a beating for the sake of not knowing anything else and the need for money.. Tyson said recently he made more millionaires than the lottery though he got **** all his his pockets to show for it.. I know he was and still is his own worst enemy but still i have to feel for iron mike.. Kind of funny when you watch clips of him at catskills and see him with cus d'amato,seemed like he had a purpose back then... Goodluck mike hope oneday you find your inner peace..Just hope it aint when you are 6feet under..
He would have needed at least two big wins to force the issue and in that time a lot could happen. Ramhan would have definitely shed a belt or two to avoid the rematch.
Someone would have KOed Rahman shortly after, if Tyson was the big money challenge, then Tyson. Would have been harder for Lewis to regain the title, but since he was already quite a large name, Tyson-Lewis may still have happened and the result would be the same of course. Tyson just wanted big money.
I think Rahman would've defeated Tyson, and preferred a bout against him to a rematch with Lewis. One way or another Lewis would've had his victory over a shot Tyson at some point, and added it to his CV. Don't forget Rahman was having much joy with his big right hand in the first fight with Lewis (wasn't just the solitary right that knocked him out), had he fought him in a rematch with the same level of motivation and physical conditioning there's no doubt in my mind he could've upset Lewis again. Rahman was not exciting or technically fantastic but when motivated, he was an effective fighter, with good inring intelligence.
I think the earli 2000's Tyson KO's Rahman, who doesn't have Lewis' defence or prowess and also who is vulnerable to pressure. Rahman's chin is also vulnerable.
True! Say 70/30 to Lewis, which is more credit than I give to other challengers of that era (e.g., shot Tyson) A prime motivated Rahman is a banana peel fight for most ATG heavies IMO.
If I recall correctly, the match-up being pursued by King immediately after the Lewis fight was a bout against David Izon. At that point in time Izon was absolutely shot! So Rahman would have probably gotten at least one title defense under his belt. Tough to have any idea what may have happened after that, but Lewis and Tyson would most likely have both been gunning for Rahman, and depending on who got first crack, there's no telling how things may have unfolded.
Whatever the scenario, Lewis ends up the lesser fighter than he is now. Interestingly, no one has spoken about a Wladimir Klitscho-Lennox Lewis scenario. Wlad was the #1 ring contender in 2001, 2002 and part of 2003 untill Sanders KO'd him in 2 rounds. In reality Lewis was busy with the Rahman rematch and the legacy fight with Tyson, but Wlad was the better and higher ranked fighter who didn't get a shot during all those years. I think he would fight the best in the division like he did before he was the champ and fight Klitschko. If Lewis came in at great shape (which is likely because he knew how good Wlad was) then he would've probably KO'd him. Actually, now that i think about it, it may well have improved his legacy considering Wlad is the man in the division still today and for a few more years to come probably. After that win he may have beaten Tyson/Rahman/whoever for the belt and still have regained it. I will add that there's a good possibility that Wlad won; he was agressive, very self confident and knocking almost everyone out although his competition wasn't stellar with the exception of Byrd. But he didn't know how to deal with being hurt (as you can clearly see in the Sanders fight) so he'd have to land some big shots early.
