Why do you believe Mike Tyson completely dodged Bowe and Foreman?

I was going to say the same thing. He loved Holmes and almost put him through the floor.

 

He definitely destroys old Foreman. I think he beats him prime for prime too. I wouldn't bet on it but I think he does.

 

Bowe and Foreman were both big heavyweights. Mike would have had a hard time with them, but with Bowe I can see him breaking him down.

 

The heavyweight scene changed alot in a short span in that time period.

I don't think Tyson was afraid of Foreman, and I doubt Foreman was afraid of Tyson. Foreman probably knew he would be beaten to a pulp, and the fact that King was involved made it an easy decision for Foreman not to fight.

So when did Tyson duck Foreman? Between 1987 and 1990, when Foreman fought bums and developed his record? His biggest and most challenging opponents were Bert Cooper and Gerry Cooney at that point. It was Tyson during this period (1986-1990) that it was HE, not Foreman, who fought the better opposition. Foreman wasn't on Tyson's radar, and for good reason.

Or was Tyson ducking Foreman when he finally got some big fights and could finally bring some interest and money to the equation, like when he lost his bid to the HW crown against Holyfield and was outboxed by Tommy Morisson? Foreman's next fight was against Moorer, where he got some leverage for big fights and something for fighters to come and take, but Foreman was stripped because he wouldn't defend against Tucker.

After that, if you consider Foreman to be the lineal champ, this was between 1995-1997, Tyson was still fighting the better opposition until getting his ass kicked by Holyfield in '96 and again in '97, pretty much taking the shine off of any match between the two.

You could make a pretty airtight case that Tyson fought the better opposition, where it was clear Foreman was taking a much more careful and less-risky road.

If anyone was ducking, it was Foreman doing the ducking.

 

Bowe was the only one in my opinion who had the style to compete with a prime Tyson, not Lewis or Holyfield. Bowe could fight very well on the inside and he wasnt afraid to mix it up. Prime for prime I think it could have been the greatest fight between two of the most talented fighters. In fact I cant think of too many other matchups that would have matched two guys who were on the skill level of these two at their respective peaks.

 

Bowe definitely had what it took on paper. Tall, great inside game, hard puncher, not afraid to bang it out, could box, could move a little, and the biggie: he could clinch.

The fact that his inside game was so good gives him the best chance. Although I think Holyfield would always give him trouble based on the attitude, counterpunching, and overall versatility.

 

he went through several dangerous and fringe contenders.

his first top 10 win was 16th june 1990 foreman koed in 2 7th ranked Adilson Rodrigues, rodrigues was ranked 4th when holyfield beat him then defended his south american world title (held it for 16 years) before foreman beat him.

he took on and beat several top 20 contenders though.
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil"]

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[/ame] [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adilson_Rodrigues"]Adilson Rodrigues[/ame]KO2 (10)16/06/1990

 

Holyfield was great too, but he was too small and outgunned and thats why he hung in with Bowe but got beaten up. Bowe was a slob in both return matches, but prime for prime Holy was just too small to beat Tyson and Bowe at their bests in my opinion. He would always make for a great fight though.

 

With all the interviews Tyson is now doing, somebody should ask him. I know his mindset has changed and may not be able to relate or quite remember his feeling during that time but nevertheless still interesting.

 

I have no idea if any one of them was scared of the others.

I am, however, very confident that Bowe at his best beats Tyson at his best. Prime Tyson vs. Old Foreman could go either way, but if I had to post a wager, it would be on George.

 

This. And losing your passion from the game is not the same
as fearing someone. Tyson would tear up old Foreman.
This isnt 73 Foreman.