Ok, first thing obviously, I know these two met in 1988. In that year Holmes was forced out of retirement (38 years of age), past his best and was aiming was to attempt to dethrone a prime Tyson who was basically knocking the shit out of nearly every opponent he was getting in the ring with. So what if Holmes faced Tyson back when Holmes was in his prime, during the years in which he made 20 successive defenses of his title (I'm sure Tyson made a statement after the fight saying that against a prime Holmes - he didn't stand a chance - he was ''simply the greatest of his time.'' ) Holmes had one hell of a jab, which he partly demonstrated in the 4th round 88' fight with Tyson and showed some nifty footwork too, but due to his age was at a disadvantage. So would a prime Holmes have used that jab to dominate Tyson from the outside in his younger years? Would Tyson's power have been too much for a prime Holmes? Let me hear your opinions please. Cheers :bears:
A 60-40 fight, IMO, in Holmes' favour. Holmes did have a nasty habit of fighting back when hurt, which I just cannot forget. It's a dangerous bout --- Tyson is absolutely streets ahead of anyone Holmes beat between his rise to prominence & their actual fight. I think Holmes' jab & discipline, coupled with his style edge, make him the favourite, but man alive, it'd be hairy all the way, & Tyson has a much better chance here, IMO, than he would with a peak Ali.
Holmes tho did beat two huge punchers in Shavers and Cooney. Holmes dropped Cooney twice in their fight before winning and he beat Shavers in two fights and even got up from a massive right hand in one of them - which should of finished him, but got up and KO'd him! I think Holmes would have stopped Tyson in the 12 rounds. Would have been able to handle Tyson's punches better in his younger days - would have had too much class and possibly beat him to a pulp.
I don't consider either Shavers or Cooney to be anywhere near the fighter Tyson was, though. Shavers, especially, is over-rated. Neither bring anything to the table Tyson does, sans a great punch. Those fellows weren't even two-handed punchers, in truth. I think they're a poor gauge for Holmes, just as Tyson beating a, 'boxer' like Tyrell Biggs would be a poor gauge for him beating a mover of Holmes' calibre.
True Shavers was not the most skilled of boxers. Compared to Tyson, he would run out of steam, throwing more wildly without real accuracy, but still had tons of punching power. Cooney was a better operator than Shavers and could hurt his opponent. Cooney tho compared to Tyson did not aim much at an opponents head much, but more towards the body.
To his benefit, yes, but I cannot see either of those men as a good indicator of what Holmes would do with Tyson. Tyson was not only stylistically different, but he was so much more offensively dangerous than those two. Holmes would have his work cut out for him keeping Tyson off-balance, but his jab was such a superbly potent weapon --- it's why I pick him to win the fight. It's one thing to slip the jab of Pinky Thomas, or Tyrell Biggs. Holmes was in another league altogether, & he does have a good style to befuddle Tyson. I would have to fancy Holmes, but not by a whole lot. Tyson would have his chances.
I think Tyson deserves credit for his '88 win, it wasn't a prime Holmes, but considering how long Holmes went on for since that loss, taking on guys like Holyfield, Mercer and McCall, Mike still remains the only guy to stop him. I think Tyson would stylistically pose a problem for ANY version of Holmes, but as you also saw in '88, Holmes jab gave Mike trouble before he took him out, prime Holmes beats him I think, but it would be a close fight imo. Holmes by close UD.
ONe thing to remember is that Holmes was champ when Cus was training Mike, & I'm sure that Holmes was exactly the kind of fighter (if not the exact fighter), that Cus had in mind as an opponent when he was developing Mike's style, which is purpose built to close the distance & get under a rangy fighter's jab. This by no means means that it would have worked, but it may be no coincedence that Mike is the only guy to stop (an albeit old) Holmes.
Probably the best indication of how this fight would play out, is how this fight played out. Holmes had a good jab and a big heart, but he wouldn't be able to keep Tyson off of him. Not in 1981. Not ever. Tyson by KO.
I really think after douglas and the other crazyiness in Mike's career and the Lemmon and Holy losses.. he has become UNDER Rated when Mike was coming up he was a beast and I do not think Holmes woudl whup him.. like someone said.. HOlmes was a great boxer but he liked to fight back too.. Tyson would KO him IMO
I honestly see it as a pick em. I could certainly see the 81 Holmes taking Mike into deep waters and drowning him, but I could also just as easily see Mike once again catching Larry... and once again finishing him. Theres a big differance in finishing ability between Shavers, Snipes, and then Tyson.
