Mike Tyson vs George Foreman 1991

I always liked that picture

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GLxALqWW4AAwYgS.jpg:large

 

One of the fights I'm really unsure about and go back and forth with. I used to think old George would manhandle Tyson but then remember Tyson fought Razor twice in 91, and these were the fights that changed my opinion of him from being a hugely talented flat track bully to someone who could, and would, come back from adversity.

And then I remember that Holyfield fought through best version of Old George and couldn't get him out of there. Yes, Tyson hits harder than Holyfield...but more often, with more consistency? Even in his peak years, Tyson had a propensity to take breaks. To follow another fighter around in a close 'clinch' before unleashing his head/body attacks. But the other fighter was usually complicit in this, why poke an angry bear?

I think 91 Tyson batters 91 Foreman for about half the fight, but George keeps him honest, always working away in those previously negotiated clinches. He hits Mike with uppercut that look like nothing but Mike feels every one of them. In the clinches, Tyson feels the physicality of the man and become aware of his size. But, he batters him nonetheless.

Foreman starts using his two handed push off/set up when he feels Mike tiring, and he start to catch Tyson with solid straight punches as he retreats. He starts walking a visibly tiring and disheartened Tyson down...Mike has hit him with everything but is now realising this isn't Ruddock, George isn't going anywhere. At some point after the eighth, Foreman is leaning on Mike, pushing against the ropes, and takes a half step back, releasing the pressure, Mike momentarily sags and steps into the space right onto a massive uppercut. He beats the count but Foreman follows up, exhausted himself, with solid straight punches and hooks before an exhausted Tyson is stopped on his feet, trapped in the corner by the big man.

If Tyson had Holyfields engine and attitude, this scenario could simply not happen. But he didn't. The gaps in his psyche were such that he knew he could be beaten. Holyfiled could be beaten 10 times in a row but his mental makeup simply would not countenance it as a possibility despite the tangible evidence.

....and by the way, forget about the comparisons with the Frazier fight...I think peak Tyson beats Young George...styles/fights. .