Of the 1980s heavyweights, I have always thought Witherspoon would give Tyson the most trouble. He had a solid chin, excellent boxing skills and good defence. I think he would be the most competitive out of the so-called 'lost heavyweights' who fought Tyson (Thomas, Berbick, Tubbs and Smith).
The 1980s had to pass before someone gave Mike Tyson trouble. 1986 Ring magazines ratings: Champion - Michael Spinks 1 - Mike Tyson 2 - Bonecrusher Smith 3 - Pinklon Thomas 4 - Tim Witherspoon 5 - Tony Tubbs 6 - Trevor Berbick 7 - Buster Douglas 8 - Tony Tucker 9 - Frank Bruno 10 - Tyrell Biggs You know the outcome of the fight.
I would always favor Tyson to win over Witherspoon. But if Tim Is motivated and we’ll trained he could put up a good fight
Love Tim but Tyson has much faster hands and feet. Withersooon can't dance and keep him at bay. Love his crab defense but it does not work vs a fast combination puncher. Tyson tko 9.
In his fine performance vs Holmes Witherspoon ate a awful lot of leather, rewatch the fight, he aint taking that much from Tyson, he will get stopped between 4-6.
I think motivated Tim was the best of the 80s contenders in terms of combining skills and power, but I have a hard time picturing him winning against peak Tyson. Next to Holyfield, this is the fight I wish had happened pre prison.
Yeah Tyson came up a little bit after Tim and when Tim was being mismanaged/ripped off by promoters. If they had boxed around about then (86/87) Tyson would have won. Imagine it was the other was around and Tim was coming up in 89/90 as a young contender when Tyson was slipping - Tim may well have won. Cant take it away from either both very good Heavyweights and achieved so much.
There are many variables here. Witherspoon had to be in good shape, mentally prepared and not get intimidated by Tyson. Then, and only then would he beat Tyson. Tony Tucker took Tyson the distance with a broken right hand, remember.
