Mike Tyson vs. George Foreman

While Tyson certainly had the power and handspeed to bust up Foreman, he simply did not have the style that I'd favor to beat him. Fighters who who shorter and fought by lowering their center of gravity into a crouching stance generally got destroyed by Foreman. I know we can't name anyone of Tysons' calibur who Foreman did this to, but the blue print is still pretty well defined. The larger and stronger the opponents got, the more trouble Mike typically had with them, and I can think of know one during Tyson's prime who resembled Foreman in most aspects.

 

Agreed,

but if we study the trends, we will see that the more larger opponents, usually gave Tyson the most trouble. Tony Tucker, Boncrusher Smith, Frank Bruno, Razor Ruddock and Buster Douglas were all over 6'3", and had larger builds. These men either took Tyson the distance, troubled him, or beat him. Foreman would be right up in with that bunch, and likely the best of them.

I realize that this comparison doesn't tell the whole story and for all I know, may mean nothing, but its just more food for thought.

 

Tyson has the perfect style for Foreman. Tyson's short, and has to come in to land punches which is what Foreman wants. Foreman could certainly push him back and land big punches as well. BUT, Tyson's handspeed will cause all kinds of trouble here. Foreman even at his best didn't possess great speed of hand or foot and his defense was poor. To his credit his defense improved during his comeback. Tyson WILL be able to land punches on Foreman and with his punching ability which is at the very top of all time, I think he would stop Foreman. Foremans punches were devastating, but Tyson had great defense at his peak and was hard to hit with a big punch.

It would be an absolute war, however and I could see Foreman knocking Tyson out as well. But if I had to bet, I would pick peak Tyson by KO.

 

One thing is for sure, this fight would not reach the score cards....
(IMO a Young George Foreman would be the better matchup for Tyson)


George's uppercut's on the inside would be a nightmare for Mike,
Tyson's "Iron chin" would defo get put to the test right from the start.
If Mike can survive an upperct from George and continue to press then more than likely I see Foreman's confidence dwindle as the round's progressed. (That's assuming Foreman can also survive Mike's Bomb's that is...) Both have had stamina prob's in the past, but for the sake of "Fantasy" I'm going to assume they are both at their best. Tyson's movement and speed seperates him from Fraizer's crab defense up, croutch, down predictable defensive style.. IMO Tyson has a more potent arsenal of punches that can all K.O. anyone at any time. George would have to keep away and find a way to frustrate Tyson without putting himself at risk, if Foreman can do that I can see him wearing down Tyson. If George confuses Tyson and decides to slug it out like he did with Fraizer & Norton then I see a short night for George. Young Mike know's nothing else but to seek & destroy.

I got Mike Tyson by 8th RD. K.O.
If Foreman lands that Uppercut early tho, I got George by K.O. in 3

 

But in fairness to Tyson, those guys are the best fighters Tyson fought. Tony Tubbs was 6'3", Larry Holmes was 6'3", Tyrell Biggs was 6'5", Carl Williams had freakishly long arms and stood 6'4", and Pinklon Thomas was also 6'3". These are all fighters that Tyson destroyed that are large opponents.

 

I actually like a peak tyson by knockout in this one

 

You make valid assertions. While I think a Tyson/Foreman fight would be explosive, it's awfully hard to make a prediction with any certainty either way.

As far as Tyson having trouble with larger and stronger opposition - I think most fighters have trouble when their opposition gets bigger and stronger. I don't think that's something that only applies to a guy like Tyson. And not only that, most of the guys that Tyson brutally knocked out were big and strong, many of whom were at least as big, or bigger, than George Foreman in his prime.

 

I would love to see this one. I guess in these hypotheticals we're always talking prime for prime, so I'm imagining the Foreman that fought Frazier versus a pre-meltdown Mike.

In my view it's the long, hard, straight-shooters that were textbook trouble for Mike, 'cause Tyson's comin' at you, guarantee that, and Foreman does fit that bill, he's got the range and the heavy-leather to stop Mike in his tracks. Question for me always, in a big-man, little-man match-up, is (a) does the little guy with the reach disadvantage have the elusiveness to get in, and (b) does the big guy have the accuracy and enough starch on his shots to keep him out?

Here we're dealing with a little guy who got in as well as any; Tyson early on was taught to use angles with good upper body and head movement on his way in, and to launch big shots off of that movement, that momentum, and we all know how hard Big George could hit. There may be some question as to his accuracy, he did seem to lope some of his shots in the early days, but no doubt he would land enough solids that make this hypothetical an intriguing one.

If I gotta pick, I see Tyson getting inside, in between George's slightly roundhouse shots, bringing thunder the way only he did. Big George could be in big trouble.

 

Thanks Teeto, I just cant see Tyson withstanding Foremans brutal assault both were on top fighters but Foreman has a greater resolve imo. Also can see Tyson falling apart when pushed back and getting took out in about 4. Can see the argument for Tyson and he would have a chance but just feel George has a bigger chance of succeeding.

 

True, but many of the contenders or champions who troubled or beat Tyson were only slightly bigger than Foreman, or right around the same size. In addition, none of whom had ever utterly destroyed a fighter who fought a somewhat similar style to Tyson's, such as the type that Joe Frazier fought... Foreman would be a very dangerous test for Tyson. I am not claiming with any certainty that George would just walk away with this one, nor vice versa, but when we have a case where two all time great punchers are going at it, anything can happen. In such a situation, styles are critical, and for that reason, I think Foreman has the edge based on his performances against men of similar stances, size and talent level...

 

Ha ha i see we have a wind up merchant joining the party.

 

Dear Friends
kind regards
Mike Tyson versus George Foreman.
I have covered this match up in my Fantasy warfare threads at the general forum.
My prediction is the same now as it was back in December 2003.
George Foreman would KO Mike Tyson in round 8.
Foreman was Tyson's match, he'd win a slugfest and bully the bully.
Whenever Tyson comes forward, he either gets jabbed, pushed back or the dreaded uppercut.
Foreman would gradually pick him apart and then finish him off.
George Foreman wins by KO in round 8.
yours thankfully
John