tyson tko in 4
This is legit 50/50 I'd bet 1988 Tyson to decision or late TKO Bowe and Decision Holfield but Lewis is 50/50 Lewis could shut Tyson completeley down with holding and then win a decision, If lewis trys to actually fight/slug/ with him Tyson Wins by KO. Lewis does NOT beat Tyson without making it ugly simply because Tyson had a granite Chin, never been knocked down by a punch to the head without being severly punished, outclassed and beaten down first while Lewis while not Glass chinned could be stopped by a single Punch, so if it was a clean fight then Tyson Ko's him because both were about equal in skill and Power but Tyson could take the better punch. If Lewis makes it ugly Lewis wins because Tyson didnt work much inside and Lewis could outscore Tyson if he manages to keep the "engagements" limited by hugging clinching and leaning.
A fight of two half imo. Tyson takes the first half, with his aggressive, attacking keeping Lewis tying him up and being ultra cautious. Some of Tysons shots will wobble Lewis and it looks as if mikes on his way to a clear win. But Lewis is playing the long game, as we enter into the seventh round, he's lookin more assertive, throwing more open right hands and slamming uperrcuts in. Tyson still looks dangerous but he's throwing less combos and just single big shots. A lot of mauling now as Tyson s looking tired and his face is showing signs of the war. The end would come suddenly in the tenth, when one of Lennox many uppercut s send s him crashing down. He'd rise on shaky legs at 8 and Lennox would come out blasting, Tysons finished now tho and he takes a few more shots. With nothing coming back the ref jumps in, cradling Tyson against the ropes. Time of stoppage scores are Tyson 6 Lewis 3 Tyson 5 Lewis 3. 1 even Tyson 6 Lewis 3.
I just had to rewatch. I used to think maybe Lennox would have the edge but Tyson was so slow, he'd diminished considerably. Lewis didn't really have to do a lot to not get hit, just back up in a straight line which was what you didn't want to be doing with prime mike. Lewis did have a huge size advantage obviously. This is 50 - 50 for me, I'll pick Tyson if I have to pick a winner just because Lewis was definitely there to be hit, a lot, by a prime Mike.
Lennox Lewis, was taller, had that very stiff left jab, and deadly right hand. True Iron Mike Tyson would be in his prime, but Lewis would prepare for this fight in a very serious manner. Lennox has to protect his jaw because, Mike's power is no joke. He would have to keep him on the outside, like James Buster Douglas did. Tyson would be in his environment, with Kevin Rooney to keep him in shape, both body and mind. Both fighters hurt the other, Lewis hits the deck for the mandatory eight count in round 6, but survives to stop Tyson in round 12. No ear biting in this one, but what a fight. Way better than their 2002 meeting. Tyson like prime George Foreman and prime Sonny Liston before him, usually stopped their opponents early, the trick is to make him use his energy early, then drag him into the unfamiliar late rounds.
Lewis probably beats him most anytime , Buster exposed Tyson pure and simple. I recall Howard Cosell was asked what he thought about Tyson, he said" I don't think anything about him, he's beaten every statue put in front of him" Lewis ain't a statue
Tyson could definitely do it, but would he? Lewis was a strange one, he could blow hot and cold and. I think it depends on what version of Lewis shows up. I think at his very best Lewis > Tyson, he was too big, hit too hard and had too many tools. But if we got a version a little off his game, Tyson might end it fast and make it look easy.
Big fan of both but don't think Lewis is quick enough, or have a strong enough chin to avoid a swarming Iron Mike.
James Bonecrusher Smith held on to Tyson for 12 rounds and became affectionately known as Bonehugger. Tucker lasted a full 15 rounds, only to lose on points. Tyson was very tired at the end. If he fights a frightened statue, he wins, but a smart moving boxer who takes him into deep waters, such as the late rounds and keeps him on the outside, he loses. Just as George Foreman did against Ali in 1974, he blasted away at Frazier and Norton before, but was dragged into later rounds after firing his deadly bolts in Zaire, and got knocked out. Intimidation and power are good, but what happens when someone takes the bullets out of your gun? And you never had to learn to reload?
