Who really was the best fighter Tyson fought while Champion

Thought you'd state Jack Dempsey :nut :smoke

 

Dempsey and tired together.. pretty much sums up my thoughts reagrding Dempsey. In other words, a nothing champ at HW, and I'm tired of reading about him.

 

depends on what way you're looking at it.

if its the best fighter tyson faced as champ, taking in to account the other fighters' history, well obviously holmes is far better than any of the others.

if its the best fighter only for that one match, well douglas of course, as he beat him. i can't see how it could not be buster douglas, the others didn't beat tyson.

 

Let me say this

I really do believe the Holmes Tyson fought was not as sharp or therefore as good as the Holmes Mercer fought. I know there's conflicting sides as to whether Holmes had time and was in shape etc, but i really do think he was ordinary that night.

I will accept counter debate that Holmes looked so bad because it was a great Tyson he was in with, but i still don't think Larry did jack**** that night. At least a few others landed a solid punch or maybe threw a few with some decent snap or intention. Hell, even a scared shitless and here to survive Bonecrusher finally threw a good punch right at the end and stopped Tyson in his tracks. Even Bruno landed something much much better than Holmes did and he's not even in the poll i think.

I'll say the best fighter for the one single match vs Tyson was Douglas, not because he beat a diminished Tyson but for the attitude and self belief he showed. He had no idea Tyson might be there to be had and sure as heck knew the odds that were against him. He didn't lay down, and nor did he lose focus when he was actually on top of Tyson round after round.

As far as best actual overall fighter due to form on the board, hmmmm. Williams was fruit for a Tyson, Tubbs too, Thomas was very faded for me, Spinks should have been more heavily doubted, Douglas was inconsistent. If only Berbick was a defence i'd pick him for sure. Tucker's no worse than this lot really. I think he might have beaten Spinks with his size. What an impossible lot to sort

 

It defo ain't Tucker anyway. I'd say Tysons best opponents during his first title reign were:

1. Thomas
2. Old Holmes
3. Berbick
4. Toyko Douglas (Tyson was definitely underprapared, off colour and out of rythmn, but Buster put in a near masterclass- the single best performance of his career. A fair number of ATG's would have been in for a tricky nights work fighting this version of Douglas. No lying.)
5. Spinks
6. Williams

 

Donj't know where you got that idea. Larry took the fight on 6 weeks notice, and ONLY because they offered him to much money to say no to. That is straight out of Larry's own mouth, not some rumor mill.

Boo

 

Tyson made a video in the Uk around the late 80s with commentator Harry Carpenter.
He reviewed and commented on old fighters .I remember Tyson praised Dempsey and critisized Marciano for being a dirty fighter!!

Oh the Irony

 

I agree, like I said earlier, Holmes had 6 fight active streak just before fighting Mercer, and his preparation before the Tyson fight was 6 week notice + 20 months lay off, coming from two losses to Spinks.
I do seriously think that the Mercer version was better.

 

When Mike was champ the three or four fighters that really stick out as foes that could have been capable of bursting his bubble if they had a good solid night were... Pinklon Thomas, mmmmm Larry at the time was a bit worn and emotionally up for it but physically needed more get ready time.. Tucker was very surprising to me, he looked half hearted against Buster even though he won but against Mike he went into the woods and chopped some serious trees to get to the shape of his life and was maybe the best conditioned man in the bunch.. Spinks was a scared man , and it was a shame because when mentally ready Mike was a hell of a fighter..arguably we could say Douglas because that JD was hell bent on winning at all costs... So for me it may have to be Tucker or Douglas .. honorable mention to Pink.. Biggs and Spinks.. but just good on paper.. You know what.. I always wanted to see a motivated Tim Witherspoon have a go.. He was a slick cat when he wanted to be..

 

It would be similer to if Tysons first fight after coming out of prison was against the current World champion. A Mismatch.
Tyson needed tune up fights starting with such a low level as McBride.

The fact that Holmes lasted so long with no tune ups or preparation is surprising

 

Can i add... The Larry Holmes that beat Ray Mercer was three times the ill advised ill prepared fighter that Mike Fought..

That is the damn truth.. Holmes had a glow that night.. He was a man who beleived that he could win that night......

 

"I ain't no Tommy Morrison!"

 

Michael disappointed me a lot, but I don't think he would've been able to pull it of even on his best night, Kid Dynamite was just too strong for him.
He could of done a better job, obviously.. he went in there scared.. he had a nightmarish look and his feet were like ice under him.