In their real life matchup years ago I noticed how tired Lewis got after a few rounds of clinching and wrestling around with Tyson on the inside. Of course, that version of Tyson didn't have anything left in the tank to do anything about it, but if a prime Lewis tires like that against a prime Tyson then Lenny would be in for some serious pain. Prime Mike didn't **** around when he saw that his opponents were vulnerable.
They sparred as youngsters.. and the way I've heard the story told is that Mike was too much too handle for Lewis early on, but once Lewis began establishing his jab he managed to control the action and keep Tyson in check.
Tyson has a chance. Lewis got knocked out by Rahman and McCall. Tyson was significantly better than either. Lewis was always vulnerable to a puncher, and Tyson was one hell of a puncher. Anyone who says that Lewis wins every time is flat out wrong. However, four times out of five Lewis wins. Lewis was really ****ing good. Ask Vitali if you don't believe me. Not that many people leave Vitali with a face like a raw slab of pork and Lewis did it well past his own prime. Lewis didn't just have a jab, he had strength and power. He had better technical skills than Tyson. He had vastly better reach. Tyson was well capable of knocking Lewis out. But in my view, he doesn't get the chance four times out of five. There's also Tyson's mental fragility to consider. Every time he fought a top tier fighter who wasn't scared of him, wasn't intimidated by him, and wasn't shitting in his pants, he ran into trouble. I do mean top tier by the way. Douglas wasted his talent for the most part, but when he had his **** together he was top tier. Evandar was an all time great. Most fighters, even if they weren't intimidated still weren't good enough to trouble Tyson. Lewis was more than good enough.
lewis caught holyfield and tyson at times when they had slowed enough to beat them. prime for prime i think they both demolish lennox lewis
You're comparing an old faded Holmes to a prime Lewis???? Jesus.... This fight is a coin flip, either Tyson takes him out early (which never happened to Lewis in his prime), or Lewis uses his size and reach to get a late ko or UD. I'm leaning towards the latter.
Question, Who did Tyson beat that was better than a slightly past prime Holy or even Vitali that shows Tyson would demolish Lewis? Because you're certianly not using Tucker, Smith, Ribalta, Tillis or Green as a measuring stick are you?
That means we saw a prime Lewis possibly against Briggs? If the answer is yes, my pick is Tyson via KO within the first 4 rounds. A slow Briggs could hurt Lewis in round 1, then a prime Tyson destroys him. And I am a hardcore Lewis fan.
I agree. And the 38 yr. Old holmes, Tyrell Biggs(who beat Lennox Lewis when he was in his prime in the Olympics),Tony Tubbs, Mitch Green, all had good jabs and Tyson took it away. Lets also not forget that they were all more athletic and faster than Lewis was.