Tiny wee Holyfield-Tyson story I read, but kind of interesting I think

very cool story man thanks

 

Holyfield told this story to anyone who would listen before the first fight, he wanted it to get back to Tyson. Psychological warfare.

 

it worked then

 

This story is true. I went to High School with Evander's nephews and he would come and give a 'motivational' type speech every year and he told this story.

Before that he came and spoke to us when we were in Middle School this was about 1993 when Tyson was still in prison. Someone asked him "will you ever fight Mike Tyson?"

Evander looked at us and told us not only would he fight Mike Tyson but he would knock him out. He went into the whole thing about Tyson being a bully and when you punched or pushed him back he folded etc. I don't think one person there believed him besides his nephew Henry. Remember, this was still when Buster Douglas was his only loss and it was considered a fluke and Tyson was still basically considered to be unstoppable.

Fast forward about 3 years to 1996 and I remember sitting there watching the first Holyfield vs Tyson fight in shock as Evander pretty much won every round but 2 or 3 until the stoppage. It was almost surreal in a way.

 

He really made it a point to say that he thought Tyson was nothing but a bully and was in reality mentally weak. When Evander said he was not scared of Tyson he really meant it. By the second fight Mike would not even look Evander in the eye at press conferences and at the staredown before the fight it was the only time I have ever seen Tyson not look at his opponent in the eye he looked off to the side a little. We all know what happened after that.

 

Yes i have heard of this..

Evander Holyfield said that Mike Tyson, was bullied.

 

Good story. What probably really happened is that Evander said "it's my turn" and Tyson said "****, sorry mate. I didn't realise it was 'name your pocket on the black'".

 

Tyson actually was doing well in the second fight. He rocked Holyfield in the 3rd round, but he was already cut on both eyes. Would have been interesting to see if Tyson could have beaten Evander had he hung in there, he seemed quicker and more focused with Giachetti back in his corner. The first fight was a lot of holding and grappling, and I remember Evander coming back to his corner in the late rounds and he had this look on his face like he was totally spent. Tommy Brooks told him "go to the well baby you got this", it was an awesome point that seemed to get through to Evander. Brooks always had a great way with his words.

 

Ive read this story in the book "punch lines" by mitch berger. Nice story and all, but lets be realistic.....had a prime holyfield fought a 1986-1988 version of Mike Tyson he would have been knocked out inside of 5 rounds, he simply loved to brawl too much. Tyson may have been a bully back in 86-88, but he was a CONTROLLED bully who was kept clean and focused by good influence around him, and i have no doubt a match between him and holyfield prime for prime would have never got to the point where you would need to test your will, because holy would already be knocked out.

 

Hoilyfield has too good of a Chin for that.

Mike Tyson would NEVER beat Evander Holyfield. Ever. Evander had his number, was not scared or intimidated by Tyson etc.

Tyson was mentally fragile and it was his downfall when things were not going his way in a fight.

 

I agree with Suzie Q. Based on what guys like Cooper and Bowe were able to do once they were in a slug match with Holy, I think Holy would have had his hands full with a prime Tyson. I dont buy this bull that Holy had his number. Maybe the fight in 90 Holyfield would have been more competitive but a prime Tyson is probably too much for a younger lighter not smart fighting, Holy.
Holy was an incredibly accurate puncher though, and thats why it looked so one sided against the less defensive minded Tyson of 96-on.

 

Interesting story, thanks.

 

Great story.

Prime for Prime Tyson beats Holyfield. Like Suzie Q said, he likes to brawl. Holyfield's chin might be great but any chin can be broken and Tyson would be the man to do it. Look what Cooper did to Evander.