He ALWAYS loses to Holyfield Lewis beats him nine out of 10, as long as he is at his best He kills Buster Douglas on any other night except that one February night in 1989 and the big fat slobs who beat him recently would be dead within a round
I think the 88 Tyson could have won a decision over Holy, but its possible that Holy just had his number. The 88 Tyson blasts Lewis within 6 rounds, I have NO doubt of that. He beats Douglas had he actually trained. Danny Williams, and McBride? Not even worth mention. Even Danny Williams himself said that he'd have no shot against a prime Tyson.
Lewis would've whupped any Tyson. Too big and too much reach. Lewis hits too hard for Tyson to keep trying to bob and weave inside. If Lewis didn't hit that hard, Tyson would win. But Tyson doesn't really have the chin to absorb the jab and right cross/uppercut of Lewis for 12 rounds, and he can't fight out of a clinch. I'd go with Lewis. This ain't no Tony Tucker or BoneCrusher Smith.
I think any match up combo between a prime Mike, Holy & Lewis could go either way and would probably end in split trilogies, with Lewis slightly favoured over both.
You're questioning Tyson's chin in this matchup?:laughing: Yeah, but Lewis has the chin to take a prime Tyson's bombs, right? You really are blinded by how the 2002 matchup went down. Nevermind the fact that Tyson was overweight, and had NONE of the handspeed, reflexes, skills, or footwork that he had in 87-88. And yes, Lewis aint no Tony Tucker or Bonecrusher Smith. But a prime Tyson aint no Tua, Micheal Grant, or Rachman.
The thing is, Lewis with his big edge in reach would have the chance to hit first. Tyson to be effective had to get close. It is obvious Tyson could knock Lewis out if he gets close, but Hanzy is saying Tyson does not have the chin to do it. And it is true Tyson would not walk past Lewis' shots. I can certainly see a scenario where Tyson wins but IMHO Lewis is the clear favorite
A prime Tyson whoops all in front of him - could Holyfield and Lemon beat him? sure but not likely in my book. Sure Lewis was bigger than him but who wasnt.
While I don't think Tyson could just walk thru Lewis' best stuff without paying a price, he always exhibited a good chin and I don't see him pussying out like Tua did against Lewis.
I do think there will be times when Tyson will be within punching range and will land meaningful punches...especially early on in the fight. How Lewis' chin holds up during those times is what will determine the outcome of the fight. The longer the fight goes on, the lower Tyson's chances of winning get. I don't see Tyson outboxing or outpointing Lewis, so if he is unable to stop Lewis before the middle rounds or at least put enough hurt on Lewis to get him out of his comfort zone...then the fight will be all Lewis from the midpoint on.
Holyfield was a cruiser who moved up. Tyson is naturally the bigger man...which is why folks were suprised when Holyfield was able to outmuscle him.
Holy always beat Tyson... Prime Tyson ko's Any Lewis...the young LL would be easy work for Tyson...the later LL the one that became more stationary would be more difficult for Tyson...
Did he ever fail a drug test? I don't know, that's why I am asking. I've heard speculation, but is there any actual proof? I've also heard steroid rumours linked to Tyson as well. In any event, that is beside the point. The actual point is that folks were suprised that Holyfield was able to outmuscle Tyson because Tyson was considered the bigger and stronger fighter. Holy had a little height advantage, but "taller" isn't the same as "bigger".
hindsight's a bitch ain't it? :: Lewis beat the best of the best as they came at him. No fighter in history has been disrespected more than Lewis. Fans will find any possible way to diminish his accomplishments. Always calling his comp "washed up" while praising Tyson to no end.
I'm playing devils advocate, dudes can claim Tyson beat nobody's until he fought holy and lewis and to that I will always reply Lewis beat washed up bums
LMAO, 3 years later??? Yeah, he very likely was! I dont know how old you are, but if you are over 30 I would bet that you were one of the vast majority who figured Ruddock would knock Lewis dead in that fight, because he went 19 rounds with the legendary Iron Mike... that was the thinking and then BOOM! fight over and suddenly Riddick Bowe felt like not avenging his amateur humiliation at Lewis's hands
Tyson and Lewis both share a similar trait. Neither one ever got off their back to win a fight. Both are all time greats though.
