What if: Mike Tyson defends his title vs Bowe instead of Holyfield in Nov '96

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They were both shot Bowes punch resistance had eroded .while Tysons legs had gone . Either tyson wins early or he gets taken out late . No way it goes to the cards .

 

"Bowe was shot" is no reason to pick Tyson.

I distinctly remember "Holyfield was shot" in November 1996 too. He still kicked the **** out of Tyson.

Bowe too tough, too much heart for a 1996 Tyson.
He'd take some brutal licks along the way but he'd give plenty in return, probably stops Tyson around the 8th.

 

...But we know from hindsight that Bowe really was shot, whereas Holyfield was not.

 

So what, a shot Bowe still stops Tyson in 96.

 

Doubtfull. With no legs, timing or defense hes a sitting duck. Gotta had him on the verge of being stopped many times. Tyson would likely end it early. Tyson was still very dangerous early. BTW you posted twice in this thread and offered no analysis.

 

Bowe would possibly kidnap Tyson and force him to join The Marines. Just thinking about this fight reminded me of how crazy Riddick Bowe got on the way down. He actually made Tyson look line the stable mature one.

 

Bowe was not consistently in shape enough to challenge Tyson at that point, but Tysons defense was full of holes so it would have been interesting in the opening few rounds. I sat next to Bowe when Tyson faced Bruno, and he was saying how Tyson was so badly open for punches. The problem is Tyson could take a good shot to land his own, and I think that would be the difference in this one.

 

I don't think Tyson was in great condition either. He was a tornado early but lost steam after a few rounds.

 

Bowe would come in shape vs Tyson. Advantage: Bowe.