Let's say Terrible Tim beats Bonecrusher Smith in December 1986. How much of a chance do you give him in an unification fight with prime Iron Mike?
Tyson would win but it would be a real fight, not a demolition job. Tyson would hurt him to the body and cause exchange's Tim doesn't particularly want. This was slightly past best Witherspoon, the 83 version would stand a great chance imo. Unanimous decision for Tyson but his hardest fight to date
About as much chance as Thomas had which was not that much. Witherspoon an Thomas had always been of similar level to each other
Witherspoon makes it interesting and holds his own (for a good while). The unadulterated yet channeled rage of Tyson decides it, in the end. I think this fight might have changed the general perspective on Tyson. Witherspoon, more than anyone, IMO, was capable of making this a contest in open play. I don't entirely rule Spoon out, but the odds are not in his favor.
I've been watching quite of bit Witherspoon's fights recently especially the fights after his loss to Bonecrusher so this is a good topic for me atm. Witherspoon had some decent performances in 1987. He stopped Mark Wills in 1 round he just went out and swarmed all over Wills and got the job done. Wills despite his record was no slouch either as his two wins over Greg Page show. Witherspoon got down to 217 pounds in his next fight vs Mike Williams which was his lowest weight in years. And despite the fight being a split decision it really wasn't trust me, I had Witherspoon clearly winning by 3 or 4 points and again it was a solid performance. So a 1987 version of Witherspoon who was actually getting in shape for his fights wouldn't be a bad version to take on Tyson during this period. But saying all that though I think Tyson stops Witherspoon in the middle rounds. Tyson would find holes in Witherspoon's cross arm defence especially to the body. Not to mention Witherspoon is a bit too lazy on the inside so Tyson would be lighting up Witherspoon with combinations. I also don't think Witherspoon quite has the skills or style to outbox Tyson at range either. Witherspoon would be game but I think he gets the Pinklon Thomas treatment and gets stopped in 6 or 7 rounds.
Witherspoon would lose in 1987 like Tucker and Smith. My guess is that Spoon lost on points, not by knockout. Because it was still a respectable version of Witherspoon, but it wasn't the best version of Tyson (1988).
Tim would get repeatedly bounced off the canvas in round 1, lose a tooth, and get stopped. He’d then proceed to blame Don King for the loss and his positive weed test.
You’re talking about a guy who got drilled a bunch of times by Thomas while at his best. Tim isn’t it against Tyson.
But apart from the Boney fight loss ( which was nowhere near the real Witherspoon), Tim never really got stopped in his good years. I'm not saying he wins but he puts in a good effort (if he comes to fight)
