Mike Tyson - Has There Ever Been a Light Heavyweight...

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Russell, Oct 23, 2008.


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  1. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Who could beat him?

    Light heavyweight success in the heavyweight division seems to be largely due to using their superior speed and reflexes to NOT be hit.

    Foster against Frazier, Spinks against Tyson, Charles against Walcott...

    These all all fights involving ATG LH's that were brutally knocked out by great HW's. Saying they were brutal knockouts is an understatement, even.

    So what happens when a fighter has power like Tyson and the handspeed of a damned near middleweight?

    How would a LHW go about beating a prime Tyson? Is it even possible?
     
    Russell, Oct 23, 2008
    Russell, Oct 23, 2008
    #1
  2. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    No. I'm dead confident of that.
     
    fists of fury, Oct 23, 2008
    fists of fury, Oct 23, 2008
    #2
  3. GoldenChild

    GoldenChild Formerly Samurai Full Member

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    Co-sign
     
    GoldenChild, Oct 23, 2008
    GoldenChild, Oct 23, 2008
    #3
  4. Dostoevsky

    Dostoevsky Hardcore......to the max! Full Member

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    Antonio Tarver.
     
    Dostoevsky, Oct 23, 2008
    Dostoevsky, Oct 23, 2008
    #4
  5. Loewe

    Loewe internet hero Full Member

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    I think there are some lhws who could pose problems and even beat Tyson. But like you said it must be some who have experience in fighting hws and have the skills to beat them. I don´t think Johnson could do it, he lacks the power to get Tyson´s respect. Fitzsimmons would have a chance in his era but not in Tyson´s. Archie Moore has the defence and power to give Tyson fits but I think especially Moore´s craftyness could frustrate the young and inexperienced Tyson who fought Spinks. On the other hand, Tyson was a machine that night.
    If you count Sam Langford as a lhw than you have a guy which I´d pick confidently. Charles also has a chance, as has Tommy Laughran.

    But the two guys with the best chances are Moore and Langford imo.
     
    Loewe, Oct 24, 2008
    Loewe, Oct 24, 2008
    #5
  6. Mike T

    Mike T Well-Known Member Full Member

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    No. Maybe Roy but if he gets caught once it's lights out. Moorer? no way.
     
    Mike T, Oct 24, 2008
    Mike T, Oct 24, 2008
    #6
  7. My dinner with Conteh

    My dinner with Conteh Tending Bepi Ros' grave again Full Member

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    Absolutely no chance.
     
    My dinner with Conteh, Oct 24, 2008
    My dinner with Conteh, Oct 24, 2008
    #7
  8. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Exactly. No light heavyweight is ever beating Tyson.
     
    JohnThomas1, Oct 24, 2008
    JohnThomas1, Oct 24, 2008
    #8
  9. Ezzard

    Ezzard Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Hard to imagine. A Cruiserweight did it though. As has been said, a LHW needs to use better mobility and Tyson really had excellent mobility himself and liked nothing better than to fight a guy backing off.
     
    Ezzard, Oct 24, 2008
    Ezzard, Oct 24, 2008
    #9
  10. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Nobody, Tyson just too fast, too powerful.
     
    AlFrancis, Oct 24, 2008
    AlFrancis, Oct 24, 2008
    #10
  11. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Hang on, forgot about Hopkins.

    Doesn't bear thinking about does it?
     
    AlFrancis, Oct 24, 2008
    AlFrancis, Oct 24, 2008
    #11
  12. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    No.
     
    JohnThomas1, Oct 24, 2008
    JohnThomas1, Oct 24, 2008
    #12
  13. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Holyfield was a Light Heavyweight Olympian once upon a time.

    BTW Dempsey was a LHW was he not, I'm sure some will champion his chances, not me though.

    But no Tyson will get to the the LHW and walk through them
     
    PowerPuncher, Oct 24, 2008
    PowerPuncher, Oct 24, 2008
    #13
  14. rekcutnevets

    rekcutnevets Black Sash Full Member

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    Tyson has too much speed, power, and chin for any light heavyweight to deal with. Tyson's chin and physical strength is too imposing for any light heavy to keep him away. It is too much to ask of any smaller man to handle to beating Tyson could dish out.

    Roy Jones was the only one with near enough physical talent, but I don't think Jones had the strength and chin to get out of the first couple rounds. When a fight between Tyson and Jones was in talks of being made between Jones and Tyson, I was getting prepared to bet the under. I couldn't see that fight getting past the 2nd round.
     
    rekcutnevets, Oct 24, 2008
    rekcutnevets, Oct 24, 2008
    #14
  15. Bigcat

    Bigcat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    The one man in Tysons prime time that could have posed a threat only because of his tenacity and power was Mike Moorer, he was an unbeleivable light heavy..............
     
    Bigcat, Oct 24, 2008
    Bigcat, Oct 24, 2008
    #15
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