Prime Evander Holyfield will always beat prime Tyson

Interesting post, but I'm not sure his wins over Rahman and Moorer should be underrated like that. Holy is a 4 time champ, no one else ever did that. He kicked the crap out of a...what, barely 30, once defeated Tyson..twice. And he fought his heart out against the at the time best heavyweight in the world, Lennox.

 

No

Holyfield always beat Tyson. Starting in the '84 Olympic tryouts.. lightheavyweight vs heavyweight. Holyfield doesn't give in to that bully. 3-0

 

I disagree ..

 

Elaborate, please.

 

Yes

The way Tyson was destroying the competition and the aura that surrounded him added to the legend of "prime Tyson".

Nobody is unbeatable, especially at heavyweight. I pick a prime Foreman over Tyson and even Liston. Ali would probably beat Tyson more times than he would lose. Tyson Fury and Vitali Klitschko would be tough matchups for Mike ... They have granite jaws and awkward styles along with a massive height and reach advantage.

LOL

 

I can only assume this was an April Fool's joke.

 

Prime Tyson will beat Prime Holyfield but past prime Holyfield will beat past prime Tyson.

 

I don't even like Tyson but lol

 

And Holy hadn't slowed down?

 

I think the prime Tyson of 86 to 88 would have been too much for him .. the later versions were not the same fighter by a long shot ..

 

It's funny to see the contrast between the discussions about Ali-Frazier and Tyson-Holy prime for prime.

An old and shopworn Holy owns and stops Tyson after some early competitive rounds while peak Frazier have to go through prime ending punishment to eventually get a points win over Ali. But the result that would be reversed in a prime for prime situation is - drumroll - Holy-Tyson, not Ali-Frazier.

Because Tyson had lost speed and timing in prison. Ok. But what about Ali? Yes, he also lost speed and timing, but actually improved. Ok. Despite being an unconventional fighter whose defence relied mainly on speed and reflexes and who never developed one punch power? Yes, because... Well, because. That's all.

This might actually be the most bizarre, conveluted reasoning that frequently pops up on this forum.

 

IMO, Tyson didn't lose fights after prison because of who his trainer was or because he lost speed or timing (not sure he did). He was still physically capable, he just didn't want to box. He said it to interviewers, he didn't train, his mind wasn't into boxing. Ali, Holyfield, and others did better as they aged because they still enjoyed boxing and they craved the spotlight. Tyson did not. Physically Tyson was still quick, still powerful, he just didn't want to be there. When a boxer loses interest, there are no teammates to cover for him.

 

He looked well prepared for the rematches with Bruno and Holyfield. I think the big noticeable difference came after Holy 2.

 

You could train all day be in the best shape but if you are not mentally there then you won't win

Tyson said he didn't really want to box after 1990 or so .... I think he subconsciously achieved his goal after Spinks and that was it

I don't think he cared that much about Marciano's record .... Probably didn't feel like putting in the time and effort for that