Mike Tyson vs Larry Holmes

I agree, but I have to keep in mind that some of the other adroit boxers Mike fought got their heads pushed in. Pinklon Thomas, Tyrrell, and probably a few I'm forgetting. Tyson certainly was far from helpless against boxers. Granted, Thomas et al weren't fit to tie Holmes' shoelaces but still...

 

None of those guys are all-time guys though. I am not one of those extreme Tyson skeptics you see on some boxing forums. I do acknowledge his (though more "potential") greatness. But I think taller guys with good chin and active work rate would be really tough for him to beat style-wise. Holmes, Liston, Ali, et al., among others. I do think a prime Lewis is a 50-50 though, as Lewis was chinny.

 

I think you made some more than valid points.

 

I like Holmes here, just because of the Jab. Tyson looked very average (not unbeatable by an ATG) against the less than spectacular Tillis, purely just based off jab and movement.

Holmes was much better than Tillis in both departments. Tyson never faced a thudding jab like Holmes's, his defence wouldn't be good enough to avoid every one for 12 rounds, whilst opening up for right hands. Holmes could backpedal, jab, and use lateral movement to beat Tyson.

Holmes UD 12/15

But a Tyson KO could be likely

 

Tyson was 19 when he faced Tillis.........less posting more thinking......whose Alt are you anyway, 800 posts in two weeks ?

 

Prime Holmes wouldn't just be younger, faster etc. he'd actually want to be there. The Holmes that fought Tyson was just there for a quick payday you could see it in his face pre-fight and in the post fight interview, he'd rather have been at home with his feet up enjoying his retirement, his heart wasn't in it anymore.

 

And he was champion at 20. He physically able from 18.

And thanks for pointing this out,

I don't realise how much time I spend on here posting.

 

(in a Dwight Schrute voice) Oh, none of us do (wink)

 

Boxing doesn't like that bud. Holyfield was stopped by Bowe and floored by journeyman Bert Cooper therefore Tyson would surely KO him, right ?? Ali was floored by Frazier and Henry Cooper therefore Foreman would surely stop him, right ??

 

It's a case where context is everything. It's not like "Tyson showed how superior he was to Larry by actually knocking out, not stopping Frazier". Gatekeeper is right imo.