Mike Tyson Vs. George Foreman

I'm not sure about Tyson against many of the all-time greats in a head-to-head matchp. I think Ali would have beaten him. Joe Louis would have a definite shot. Larry Holmes might have but it would be tough.

As far as punching power, I think guys like Tommy Morrison, Gerry Cooney, Razor Ruddock, and maybe even someone like David Tua were all in a Foreman/Tyson power department. I think it's quite possible that someone like Ruddock or Morrison or Cooney could hit harder than Foreman or Tyson - punch for punch - but were not as physically strong and powerful as Foreman.

 

Ron Lyle wasn't the fastest guy around. Someone like Tyson would be able to hit that temple of George's much better.

 

Tyson has beaten many guys bigger than Lyle, so I don't think Lyle's size would bother Tyson. Lyle was a strong guy who seemed to be fearless, but that in and of itself doesn't magically elevate your skill. And if you go by skill and punching ability, I don't see how Lyle could win a fight over tyson.

 

I still think Foreman inside 2 rounds, perhaps in the 1st.

 

How come?

 

Because he was bigger and badder, really nasty and brutish. Very very strong. And he stood his ground well. Tyson's footwork was all wrong, Foreman would push him back and beat him up. It would be short and brutal, ugly beating. Tyson was a bit of a cry-baby, easy to frustrate, esp. against fighters who fought with rough tactics. Foreman would kill him.

 

I have a similar view.

Basically, any fighter who fought in a semi-crouched stance, who was shorter and lowered their center of gravity got killed by Foreman. Of course, I acknowledge that there are noticable differences in style between Mike Tyson and men like Frazier and Norton, but not so different to the point where it would mean victory for Tyson, especially seeing how easily Foreman destroyed those men. Tyson never rose of the floor to win a fight, and never lost a fight via decision. Some criticize Foreman's stamina and effectiveness in the late rounds, but Tyson's may quite possibly be as bad or worse. A 45 year old Foreman was well behind and taking a beating From Michael Moorer, but managed to salvage enough of his heart and savy to win by knock out. Name one time that Tyson came back from such a deficet to win a big fight like that. Not to mention, I don't think that stamina would even be a factor here, given that this match would likely end long before it became an issue. I'm not saying that Foreman is an overall better fighter than Tyson, and in fact, Mike beat a longer list of rated opponents, but stylistically, this fight is all wrong for Tyson.

 

Does anyone here believe that Tyson could put Foreman away early?

I've just heard it mentioned previously and I find the notion pretty ridiculous after seeing a prime Holyfield hit him with 25 punc combinations, or seeing the absolute mess Stewart turned Foreman's face into

 

Anytime you have two all time great punchers in the same ring, anything is possible. What we have to go with however, is a certain degree of probability when doing fantasy matchups across eras. The styles of these two fighters clearly favors one over the other. Some would beg to differ with me on that, but I don't see this one going well for Tyson.

 

As if Holyfield has the power of Tyson:roll:

 

One post in this thread said it perfectly. Using Frazier vs Foreman (1973 or 1976), is not a blueprint for a fight between Tyson and Foreman.

First of all, to give Joe Frazier some respect that a lot of people on this forum don't, George Foreman never fought the very best Frazier. I've said it once before and I'll say it again. Prime Frazier 1967 - 1970, just before the FOTC would KO Foreman inside the distance. Countless posts on this forum continue to say Foreman will always destroy Frazier, and it will always be a bad match for Frazier. I completely disagree. Ali himself threw much quicker punches than Foreman and had a hard time hitting Frazier cleanly and consistently in their first fight. He even said that Joe Frazier from the FOTC would have KO'd Foreman. In Jamaica, Frazier went straight at Foreman with no head movement, keeping his hands low and trying to out-muscle Foreman. Also, Mercante was letting George push and shove off, which another referee would most likely warn George about for that illegal tactic. I know I'm probably still in the minority, but I could definitely envision a prime 205 lb Frazier, ripping double hooks to the head and body against Foreman, while at the say time making George miss with his bobbing and weaving. I'm not discrediting what Foreman did to Frazier in 1973 or 1976, but prime Frazier would have given Foreman a much tougher and competitive fight.

As for Tyson vs Foreman, I'd say either man has the potential to knock the other man out. Foreman would easily knock out the Tyson that fought Lennox Lewis probably in 3 rounds or less. If Foreman and Tyson fought when Cus D'amato, Kevin Rooney or Teddy Atlas was handling Tyson, Foreman would have a much tougher and quicker Tyson to deal with. This Tyson would probaby knock the young George out late. I don't think Tyson would be able to knock out the old George that KO'd Moorer, but Tyson probably would win a unanimous decision.

 

From JOHNBKelly

The only possible time a Tyson-Foreman fight could have taken place was in 1990-1992 after Tyson's loss to Douglas. Tyson's decision to to fight Foreman has little to do with being afraid or being protected from Foreman especially since after Douglas he took on:

Henry Tillman: Gimme fight.
Alex Stewart: A step up in class.
Donovan Razor Ruddock: The Number 2 contender (WBA, WBC, IBF) after Mike Tyson.
Donovan Razor Ruddock II: after a controversial stoppage, Tyson granted Razor a much deserved rematch and emerged victorious.

After that a fight with Holyfield was the next thing on the agenda. A Foreman fight would have been a circus distraction and he would have endured the criticism that Holyfield endured in fighting George Foreman.

1994: Tyson was in Jail.
1995: After a 4 year layoff there were far more lucrative fights on the Horizon.

1995
1. McNeeley fight: $25M- tune up fight.
2. Mathis fight: this fight was indicative that Tyson had ring rust.

1996
3. Bruno: for the WBC title and of course $20M.

Up until this point you couldnt argue Tyson's path after prison. Foreman was never part of the equation. The fighters that were part of the equation but the fights never materialized (some of them later on) were:

Bowe: Billed as the 100M fight. Things didnt work out.
Morrison: Diagnosed with HIV AIDS
Lewis: ended up fighting in 2002

1996
4. Seldon: Belt holder (WBA)
5. Holyfield: $20M

1997
6. Holyfield II: $35M (the rematch)

The opportunity and interest in a Tyson Foreman fight after Tyson came out of prison wasnt really there. It would have proved nothing.
The only time it would have meant anything is if they fought between 1990-1992 and during that time Tyson more credible opponents, and by credible I mean in foresight and not hindsight.

Tyson not getting off the floor to win a fight is really indicative of 2 things;

1. His fights are usually one sided- in his favor or his opponents favor.
2. His chin isn't susceptible to flash KD's.

Foreman's 1 punch KO over Moorer in Round 10 and Tyson's 1 punch KD over Douglas in Round 8 are no different if you are talking about it in terms of heart and savvy. Heart doesnt always translate into a win; its over coming your shortcomings or any adverse moments to the best of your God given ability. Whether you win or lose- has no relevance.

I give Tyson the edge because I think his sporadic bob and weave style coupled his offensive arsenal which offers a wide variety punches, a combintion of speed and power will undoutebly keep Foreman honest.

In addition, Tyson has always been regarded a great counter puncher so I can only envision that Foreman's advances would be thwarted by Tyson's counter punching which will inevitably dictate the pace of the fight.

 

1. Muhammad Ali and Jack Johnson, my one and two top head-to-head heavies of all time; both ring-wise, physically and mentally strong, skilled fighters with a great offense and excellent defensive capabilities. I don't see any puncher beating Tyson, on account of his superior combination of speed, power, fundamentals and chin, although I feel Dempsey and Louis would have the best shot.

2. Blow for blow, I believe Foreman is more heavy-handed, has more raw power than Tyson. And I would say the Earnie Shavers right is the most devastating blow I have seen in the ring.

I would also say the Lewis straight right and the Tua hook give any particular blow from these three guys a run for its money.

 

My EXACT point.

 

I would choose more historic greats to take prime Tyson, but your answers demonstrate a fair mind...