Who would you send in if your life depended on it ?

I think Tyson would beat Foreman. Foreman was slower, had poor stamina, and extremely vulnerable defense. Unless he's allowed to shove Tyson across the ring and into the ropes, I don't see it going well for him.

Ali might beat him, but it's far from a sure thing. He was vulnerable to left hooks and lost to Frazier--who was mostly inferior to Mike--while not far removed from his prime. Tyson also beat a small army of Ali imitators.

Lewis, 96 Holyfield, and Vitali aren't worse picks than Ali. Lewis and Holyfield were masters of controlling the clinches. Vitali and Lewis knew how to keep distance. Vitali and Holyfield were very durable.

 

I think you are selling Foreman short here.

Assuming we are taking here about 70's Foreman, sure he was not a technical master or a experienced hand; but he had some things going on for him other than brute force: longer reach, and a relentless offensive with a couple of bazookas for hands.

And let's remember that Big George (old and young) had a very decent chin. The only man who was able to KO him was Ali, the very GOAT, and only after taking brutal punishment from Foreman that would have demolished lesser men.

That means that the chances of Tyson getting an early KO are literally nil; and also means that Tyson will have to get ready for a long and gruesome battle and accept trading blows with one of the heaviest punchers ever to step into the ring. I can't see Tyson getting the best of this deal.

On the other side, Tyson's stamina has always been suspect. Same with his balance once the fight gets into the middle rounds. Once Big George hurts him, Tyson is facing an uphill battle that won't be able to win.

 

Holmes, Holyfield, or Foreman

 

I would choose the bigger version of Evander Holyfield. From around 95-96 but no later.

He had the right gameplan to tie Tyson up and force him backwards. Taking away Mike`s forward momentum. Holyfield was a good counterpuncher as well.

Holyfield would always take a fight with Tyson to a place that has nothing to do with boxing. Everyting to do with heart, desire, competitive greatness and poise.

 

Tyson would have an easier time with Bowe than he ever did with Lewis and Holyfield.

Purely because Bowe would do half of Tysons work for him by standing there and trading.

The one thing Douglas, Holyfield and Lewis didnt do was stand in front of Tyson and allow him to set his feet.

I know Bowe and Douglas have similar measurements, but they fought nothing alike.

 

Ive read the section in Holyfields book about his sparring session with Tyson. He basically said if/when they do meet the fight will be decided on who desires it more and in '96 that was Holyfield.

You're right the '96 Holyfield had the right gameplan (and the right Tyson) to do that gameplan on.

I feel '91 both men were totally different fighters. Holyfield was smaller, probably not as hard hitting or as strong and more prone to mixing it up, and that against a much better, hungrier, dedicated Tyson who did more body work and could actually fight 12 hard rounds without gassing or looking to the ref for help

 

Which book was that then?? I've got "Becoming Holyfield" and it never mentions anything about the sparring session.

 

We saw how much Tyson struggled with Ruddock, a fighter who basically had one punch that was telegraphed from Mars. Bowe would dismantle Tyson with his jab and superior inside fighting, he'd take him apart with his uppercuts.

 

Bowe is possibly the most underrated heavyweight.

 

He doesnt/didnt do himself exactly any favours did he?

I used to be a fan of Bowe, but now look at him as more of a glorified Buster Douglas to be honest.

 

How did Tyson struggle with Ruddock? he only lost a couple of rounds in each fight.

If anything, Bowe struggled with Tyson leftovers like Tubbs and Biggs.

And Tyson was probably more shot than Bowe was when he made Golota quit.

Bowe fighting on the inside would be in Tysons firing zone. Neither Holyfield nor Lewis were that stupid to be standing within firing distance.

I stand by what i said earlier, Tyson has an easier time with Bowe than he ever did with Holyfield or Lewis, and not only that, Bowe would be facing a much better version.

Tysons uppercut and right hand were just as good as Bowes if not better.

Remember why Golota quit? because he got caught by a huge overhand right by Tyson which broke some of his facial bones.

 

Only because the judges had him way ahead that doesn't mean it wasn't a hard fight. Go watch the fights again and Tyson did struggle with Ruddock especially in the 2nd fight.

Tyson never fought anyone with the inside capabilities of Bowe, Mathis was giving Tyson problems on the inside and he couldn't carry a prime Bowe's jockstrap.

It would be Bowe who would be landing the uppercuts in the close exchanges as good as Mikes were because he was much taller.

 

I think Bowe had the offensive capabilities to make it interesting, unlike Lewis, who I believe would play it safe and hold on for dear life. Bowe also has the firepower that Holyfield didn't, which would make the fight a barnburner until Tyson puts out his lights. I think Bowe has the best chance, that combination of an Ali/Foreman hybrid. But he would fall short.

 

He fought a prime-ish Holyfield three times, and won twice.
People will claim that was some easy path or something, and that Holyfield was stylistically easy or small and weak or some sh!t. In truth, Holyfield was a f*cking beast.
Bowe had a ton of heart. And good skill.
Not enough discipline and took too many punches.

 

That is why I specified the later version of Evander If my life depended on it. He was a pinch slower but he fought like a heavyweight unlike the younger "prime" Holyfield. In `95 `96 Evander Holyfield sat down on his punches more and was very rough/physical/dirty. This I think would be the best chance to throw Tyson off his game mentally. He didn`t always show the best poise.

Also remember Holyfield had more than enough power. He was the first to drop both Mercer and Bowe. No small task.