Tyson vs Holyfield 1, Holyfield should have been disqualified (Not because of headbutts)

So you’re saying Mike lost because Evander held.

That’s it, end of story.

If Evander didn’t throw a punch, Mike would have fallen over out of exhaustion.

Mike lost because Evander took the play away from him. Backed him up. Bullied him. Beat him mentally by being mentally stronger. Outpunched him. Outlanded him. Mike didn’t fall over and get counted out from being held, he got knocked down by punches.

This is so ridiculous it’s not worth discussing.

 

Yes but as we know the Reality is Mike lost that 1st fight. Bad.

Mike also fully admitted he was losing the 2nd fight too. He landed some good shots, but he really wasn't shaking Holy up much. Quote: "he was kicking my ass anyway"

Mike just couldn't beat him, Evander had learned through the Douglas fight how to beat him.

I used to think those fights were tainted by the butts, too. But after having watched them dozens of times since...it was a lost cause for Mike from the opening bell.

 

Maybe fighting less than a dozen rounds in close to 4 years while sitting in jail had something to do with it...........unless you are in the camp Athletes improve their craft in prison.....

 

This is what needs to be stickied at the top of this thread if it were possible.

I recall one of the commentators in the Tillis fight stating how it was absolutely astounding that Tyson wouldn't take advantage of the clinch to inflict considerable damage to Tillis when he had every opportunity to do so.

Had Tyson fought his way out of the clinch more often he would've not only did better, but might've actually beaten Holyfield.

 

What? BOTH of them?

 

This is sort of why I have grown distain for modern boxing. Where is the inside fighting! Muay Thai of which I’m not the biggest fan of (as a spectator) at the least continues fighting through the clinch and it’s considered another layer of fighting and not a chance to rest.

 

Honestly your clutching at straws here. FMM did this stuff for most of his career lol.

 

But didn't you say Mike had more inside game than Evander? Lol. Mike used to rip off those blistering combinations on the heavy bag while Evander Holyfield watched. Holy then proceeded to copy him: his arms were too long and he was too tall for that Willie bag stuff. He stood at 6ft 2 and said "imagine if I was 5 foot 11? So anyway, Mike brought the game to Evander. What did Evander do? He nullified that offense by standing his ground, letting his head stay in the middle with his feet planted firm. He didn't need to back up. This rendered Tyson incapable as he fell in over his punches while not being able to back holy up. If it was a stricter ref I agree like Jay nady it woulda been better officiated, but that's like the saying if my auntie wore some pants she'd be my uncle. Anyway Mike was full of esteem and had a unbeatable aura, remember when they asked Evander what he did whenever Mike hit him?? His answer: that he prayed each and every time. Matter of fact the two guys Mike and vander knew they were inavedibly gonna fight as pros, but it was commander vander who knew during the amateurs that he had Mike. He had em. He didn't fall for his roughouse bullying, intimidation bs. While the kids were lining up for billiards, Mike was cutting in and out of line, a silent agreement that he ran things around there. Until Holyfield bounced the stick up and down while Tyson started at him . He waited for the stick but Evander kept his foot in the pool stick AND he knew at this point he had him in the battle of the wills.

I sometimes think back on this fight Holy vs Mike, one and bite fight and I ask myself who the ref shoulda been?? I draw a blank because I don't think Jay nady was even around yet. Just curious bro; not to be all mean spirited and such but who you got reffing this fight to conclude a better outcome??? It's a fair question right? Life has no edited video footage, so forget mills lane and so on and so forth... Btw you started an intriguing conversation around here, whether right, whether wrong: keep posting!

 

I can't deny Lewis the overwhelming advantage. I remember in Lewis Tyson is on, Mike came out the first round jabbing, bobbing and weaving, but could not get anything off. He was drained from the peak a boo stance for the rest of the fight... After the fight great Manny steward said to Mike's trainer "I can't believe you employed those tactics, Mike lunging in with those jabs" was it Ronnie shields in Mike's corner? Any way which way should have Mike's trainer taught him how to fight Lewis affectively? In which manner would the game plan be?

(I mean other than opposed to what? No jabbing? Viscious one punch haymakers? Maybe some home run potshots again like Rahman and McCall?)

 

I’m glad the ref didn’t DQ Mike so we got a real result. Although it appears he could have if we use ethe OP’s criteria.