Is there a LHW who would have stood a chance with Tyson?

There is no horse that cannot be rode and no cowboy that cannot be throwed.

 

Seconded.
Tunney is the most logic choice, but Tunney nearly got knocked out by a far past his best Dempsey, who threw a Tyson-like combination. I don't see him lasting with Tyson.

Langford i have never seen (in decent quality) but on paper, he should also be considered.

If forced to pick one, i would go with the heavyweight version of Ezzard Charles. He fought quite like Holyfield so maybe he can use that stylistically. But i'm afraid he'd get knocked out and lack the physical strength that Holyfield had, to push Tyson around.

 

Holyfield started at 177lbs.........

 

OK guys.

If Michael Spinks came to me after he was knocked out by Tyson and asked me to train him for a re match I would tell him that I did not think it likley that he would win but that it was not an impossible goal.

 

You would not have to look far to find sombody under 200lbs who could beat Tyson.

 

James Toney was able to take punches from top contenders at heavyweight when he was getting quite old. How do people explain this?

 

Defense, chin, steroids and he wasn't in against the very best

 

Holyfield was a LHW in the olympics. Evander did his share of roids along the way though

 

Yes but Holyfield didn't really start at 177, grew away from that weight FAST and was not even comparable later to the fighter he was at 177. Relistically Holyfield was never even close to being a light heavyweight, he didn't even fight there let alone do anything. Look at where Duran and Robinson started for a very short time in their infancy. Holyfield is a far bigger man naturally than the guys i am looking at and TBH i don't even remotely consider him here.

 

I think Tunney would have an excellent chance to beat Tyson, so would Conn...

 

I don't think any light heavyweight could beat Tyson not that it is impossible but i would highly doubt it. The main reason is that Tyson would be able to overwhelm smaller men than himself.

 

Lets look at what it would take.

If a light heavyweight could somehow evade Tysons initial asult in the first four rounds then he could plausibly take control of the fight after that and win.

If a light heavyweight were strong enough to neutralize Tyson in the clinces then he could last the distence and win by decision or late knockout.

Then least likeley there is a chance that some light heavyweight might beable to hold his own toe to toe with Tyson by pressing him on the inside.

If you reject any of these possibilities then the answer to the thread is no.