Post-prison Mike Tyson vs. David Tua.

Tua, by stoppage in brutal brawl.

 

Tua. Quite comfortably too. I think Tyson would have a lot of success early because of his quicker hands but Tua was very good at shelling up.

Once we go past 5-6 rounds, its over. Tua's hooks will land over and over again until Tyson is stopped. Tua tko 9.

 

I love Iron Mike but it is interesting that in his post prison career, he somehow missed fighting Tua, Ibeabuchi, Byrd, Corrie Sanders, Mercer etc. Some of this could be due to injuries and/or suspensions due to bite fight. But i think its clear even his own team knew he was washed up and were just trying to get highest paydays for the least amount of risk.

Still doesn't diminish the brilliance of the 86-88 Tyson. Top 5 most talented heavyweight ever.

 

96 Tyson tortures Tua

 

This is a terrific post. I know there’ll be talk about timelines, contracts, and circumstances, but style-wise Tyson never faced a Mercer or a Tua — guys who, at their best, had incredible physical strength, iron chins, serious power, and underrated speed. I’m not sure how he matches up with them unless he brings his absolute best mix of mental toughness, peak conditioning, and focus. Without that, he could easily lose to either. With it, he could beat them but they would be nasty wars of attrition.

 

Tyson...

He's just infinitely more talented than Tua ever was - post-prison version or otherwise. And it took someone else infinitely more talented than Tua to beat the post-prison Tyson, in Holyfield.

As Lennox Lewis would observe about Tua.. ...he brings "just a left hook and a haircut.”

 

Tua ko'ed Rahman, Ruiz, Moorer, three world champs ... styles make fights and Lewis at 6'5" and an 82" reach and a jab , move hold style is a very different match up for the 5' 10" , 72" reach Tyson .. the closest Tyson came to that sort of match up was his 12 rounds with Ruddock and Razor wasn't as tough as Tua ... that was also pre-prison .

 

The 96 Tyson from the Bruno rematch beats the crap outta Tua.

Tua wins against any version of the post-Holyfield Tyson.

 

I don't agree with some of this post and I'll tell you why.

Tyson comeback in late 1999 after a suspension from the 2nd Holyfield fight. Ibeabuchi's career was over in March 1999 so Tyson couldn't of met Ibeabuchi the timeline didnt work.

Tyson in 1995-1996 was fighting belt holders Seldon, Bruno, and then obviously fought Bruno. Mercers career was basically done after 1996 I don't think there was ever really a window for that fight.

Sanders was never ranked when Tyson was active.

Tua and Byrd could've happened at some point though logically that I do agree on.

 

Tua's stoppage win over Rahman was a bit controversial though. Tua hit Rahman clearly after the bell in the 9th round and the stoppage itself was very premature.

Moorer was past it in 2002.

Ruiz was still a bit green in 1996.

I also don't necessarily agree that Tua is tougher than Ruddock.

Ruddock had a broken jaw and ribs vs Tyson and still kept on slugging. I'm not sure Tua would be that brave he did sometimes shell up in fights most notably vs Lewis when he felt his power.

 

And that controversial stoppage of Rahman is probably Tua's best win.

 

Not making any calls but im thinking Tua would have been a very tough opponent for Tyson from ‘95 onward

 

Tua by brutal ko..great fight

 

Tyson by decision