Yeh you could have, if you done it right first or even better never made a repeat of a thread that has been on here about 9,999 times.
Holmes was too strong mentally ... no doubt Tyson may have scored a knockdown along the way but he was not stopping a prime Holmes early and I see Larry doing a number on him as the rounds progressed ... Holmes by decision ...
Tough one to pick. Both guys have things in their arsenals/style which work in their advantage that make it difficult. The biggest things that work in Tysons favor in this matchup are his right hand and their actual fight. Holmes could be hit with right hands from top notch right hand punchers, and Tyson was a top notch right hand puncher. This was the shot that initially put Larry down, and I can see that happening to any version of Holmes. Also, in their fight Larry fought very negatively the first 3 rounds, then came out to win in the 4th. The result? He was knocked out. Of course, a prime Holmes trying to win is different than a grandfather Holmes trying to win. Holmes has the style edge in this matchup, however. Larry has all the tools that those who extended and troubled Tyson had, which are good lateral movement, quick feet, durability, a top notch jab, and a good boxing brain. Larry basically has all the tools necessary to defeat Iron Mike. Tough one to pick. You have Holmes having all the tools to defeat Tyson but at the same time I can't get the image of Tyson splitting Holmes gloves and landing that dynamite right hand out of my head either. Holmes would be hit with this shot no matter what version was fighting imo. This fight essentially comes down to can the ultimate finisher finish off the ultimate survivor when he has him hurt?
I know it's not a big deal, but you've done this pretty much every time you've done a poll. What's so hard about it?
i am going with holmes but he would have to get off the floor at some point which i think he would to jab and hold at times to a close decision win but this is a very close fight and one i could see tyson winning but i just favour holmes
Prime vs. Prime? I'll take Holmes by decision or late round KO. Both men are ATGs for sure. When they did fight in '88, Holmes had not fought in 2 years or won a fight in 3. He was out of shape and didn't take the fight serious... he even recorded an album during training. When Holmes fought Holyfield in '92 he was much better prepared. Holmes had won 6 fights in a row including a near shut out vs. a previously undefeated Ray Mercer! This version of Holmes would have last longer than 4 rounds vs. an '88 Tyson IMO.
Even though Larry fought for many years after,he was definitely past it when he lost to Tyson.Don't forget Larry lost twice to an ATG lightheavyweight,but only good heavyweight Michael Spinks twice before the Tyson fight.And Larry never beat an A level fighter again from the Spinks fights on.
Teddy Atlas has talked about how Cus taught Mike to beat Holmes long before Mike even turned pro. At the time, they figured Larry might be who they would have to win the title from. Whether or not that would translate to real life is up for debate, but just throwing that out there. Atlas talked about the timing when Larry was susceptible to the right hand. Judging from their fight, maybe Cus was right.
I think the thread can basically be simplified to this...... POST ROONEY - Holmes wins BEFORE ROONEY'S DEPARTURE - Tyson wins...
Same outcome probably in six or eight rounds. Guys like Holmes and Spinks and even a lighter younger Holyfield never had the style to put enough heat on Tyson to keep him off of them regardless of their very good technical skills.