Not sure on that one at all, my friend. As I mentioned earlier a young (though possibly inexperienced) Young got wiped out by a prime Shavers in a very short time. Prime Iron Mike was a way better fighter than Earnie. I don't see even the best Young making it 4 against prime Mike. The Foreman that Jimmy beat was a demoralized, lesser version than beat Frazier and Norton. That Foreman didn't capitalize enough on the times he hurt Young...he had him at least once in that fight and made a bad tactical decision in not going all out to ko him (part of which was imo his psych trauma from the Ali fight). The Mike who blew away Spinks wouldn't have had those inhibitions, and would have made short work of Jimmy once he inevitably landed. But that's just my opinion. I think prime Young would have made Tokyo Mike look pretty bad, and might have even scored a surprise knockdown.
Well, really, since Foreman is Young's best win and performance, it seems natural that that fight would be the primary basis 4 any discussion of Young. I do partially agree w/ u on the Foreman fight. I don't think Foreman was as destructive and invincible as he once was, but he was just as much if not more determined. Of course, the heat affected Foreman, and I will readily admit that he did not exploit Young as much as he did before Zaire. Of course then their's George's claims of trying 2 go the distance, so there is a lot 2 account 4. However, cuz of styles, I would pick Young 2 beat George peak 4 peak. You brought up the Shavers fight. I do agree that Tyson was a better fighter than Shavers, though less powerful, so I can see y u might think Tyson would beat Young. Remember tho, Young was virtually unknown and opted 2 slug it out w/ a known monster puncher (if boxrec is correct that is, I have never been able 2 find video of it). But just months later they rematched, Young again suffered a knockdown, this time in the 4th, but instead of fading and being stopped, gave Shavers a time of it, earned a draw, and many believed he won the fight. Evidently he had improved a lot, and wouldn't lose a fight convincingly again until 1978. Also remember that Young smothered Lyle on the inside (Tyson was a good inside fighter), on not one, but two occasions, thus cancelling out the idea of a him being lucky 2 beat Lyle. Personally, I think Young would box Tyson, do the maul and brawl and win a close decision in a decent scrap. It's Young's consistent success w/ a variety of big punchers that convinces me of Young's ability 2 beat Tyson. However, Tyson was more of a boxer than Foreman, Lyle, Shavers, or Norton were, and that would be new territory 4 Young. Though let's not pretend Tyson could ever outbox Young. I am almost certain Tyson would drop Young, but I just can't see him beating him. You couldn't really BEAT Young by decision, and despite facing 4 big punchers from 1974 to 1977, was never stopped, or even dropped. Even in his old age and overweight state even gigantic and young Cooney couldn't drop him. I seriously doubt Tyson KOs Young. I do think Young was inconsistent enuff that Tyson could win a legitimate decision, but it wouldn't be as though he dominated Young. It would be close.
Nope. Not even this version. Young was too cautious & defensive-minded to beat Mike. Douglas won because he was offensive-minded & wasn't afraid to take risks. He also had the physical advantages over Tyson. Young had none of that. Tyson still had speed & power in abundance. No light-hitting, cagey, defensive fighter with little offence gave Mike problems & definitely wouldn't beat him...
I don’t know if Young would have the power to hurt Tyson nor gain his respect. But he does have a chance of winning yes
Usyk is going to look human against everyone he fights at Heavyweight. Just like Tyson did. It's tough to always fight bigger guys. Tyson was only 5'10, however Douglas was a lot bigger than Young, he simply wouldn`t have the reach or strength even against an unfocused Tyson.
I agree with this. Cus would bring in Young to spar with Mike in the early 80's and Mike absolutely wiped the floor with him. And this is teenage Mike a couple years before the Olympics. Young's style flooded the heavyweight scene in the late 70's, early 80's. Cus fed Tyson opponent after opponent with this style, so if you didn't have fire power to go with this you were in deep trouble. By the Young fight, Foreman was thinking too much in there. Zaire was in the back of his mind and took a measured approach which didn't suit him until his comeback. Maybe Young always beats Foreman but that particular night we didn't see the destructive monster who blitzed through Frazier and Norton.
All been said - insufficient offence on Young’s part. Even Young himself stated in an SI article prior to the Norton fight that he (Young) didn’t fight so much to win as he did fight to survive and prevent himself from getting hurt. A perfect fit for Tyson. The complexion and outcome of a Young vs Tokyo Mike might’ve had people NOT so hell bent on assuming how badly off Mike must’ve been within himself - ignoring the relative nature of boxing and the overall quality of the opposition in question...if Mike wins its simply enough and still all good. As already alluded to, anyone would think Mike shadow boxed alone in the ring for 10 rounds in Tokyo before collapsing and scrambling for his mouth piece. Mike’s closed eye? That was caused by one of Tyson’s own stray, shadow boxing uppercuts…Tyson Fury knows all too well that this can happen..possibly the best “proof” of the beard on the Gypsy King - momentarily shook up but recuperated well…it’s the ones you don’t see coming that shake you up the most…. This content is protected I mean , really, who the hell is/was Buster Douglas guy anyway?….just a bit player who didn’t stick to the script and arrogantly improvised and strayed from his designated role….a typical scene stealer….prime Mike does not get beat…if Mike gets beat, then he obviously isn’t prime anymore, 1 + 1 = 3, …duh! And please, don’t try to instruct me on circular reasoning - I already have it down pat thank you very much.
Pugguy, We might need Naughty Polly The Parrot on this thread too, it's in Tokyo, Japan also the Double Naught Spy himself, Octavio Meyran in the flesh for that alleged quick count. Lol.
Aw shucks ! Naughty Polly The Parrot would have sat high on her perch looking down on Double Naught Spy Octavio Meyran counting.
Ha Ha. Remember when Mike Tyson was fumbling around for his mouthpiece in round 10 against James Buster Douglas on Feb 11 1990 in Tokyo, Japan? Mike slipped as the result of the slimy defecating deed of Naughty Polly The Parrot, ask Pugguy. Lol.