OK, it's an alternate universe and a disagreement over purse size has temporarily scuppered Tyson-Holyfield II. Holyfield goes back in with Moorer 6 months early and a motivated Mike, first KO's Vaughn Bean in 4, then signs up for a Autumn fight against Ike Ibeabuchi, who is coming off his close win over Tua. (In other words, it's the Mike of that period, but in a scenario when he's coming off a win, highly motivated and with his cheese at least partly resting on his cracker). Saturday September 20th, MGM Grand Las Vegas Red Corner: Mike Tyson, 218lb Blue Corner: Ike Ibeabuchi, 234lb Ding Ding! What happens? :crafty:
prime my ass. Tyson was mentally fragile as hell through this period. If Ike can last 8 rounds I'm not sure Mike would have the fortitude not to quit like he did against Holy and attempted to do against Botha.
X didn't read that far, he got excited just seeing Tyson's name. We got to know about Ike that he could throw lots of shots, he was able to throw many kind of shots, had a good stamina and at least a pretty good chin. His punches were solid although his destructiveness does get overrated at times. It is guessing game of course since we saw so little of Ike, but if I had to make a bet I'd pick him
Oh true. I didnt read your post really. Tyson-Ike in 97 is a pick em. Ike still never proved that was as good as Holy. Like I said, he barely beat Tua(I had Tua winning) and Tyson in 97 still had all his power, and well above average speed. But Ike would have a legit big time chance against him. Ike would stand no chance against the pre-prison Tyson however. This overrating of Ike needs to stop.
Agreed. I would actually tend to lean towards Tyson stopping him in the first 4 rounds. Ike was skilled, strong as well - but the disparity in speed would be huge and you just never know how a fighter is gonna react to that early Tyson onslaught, especially a mental case like Ike. He might do a Golota, you just don't know. And although Ike proved he could take a punch against Tua, the difference in ferocity and intensity between a Tua and Tyson attack was fucking huge. On the other hand, Tyson definitely was FRAGILE at this point. A big strong guy with skills at this stage was probably all that was needed. And Ibeabuchi, stylewise, was more than that - he would use his strength and stand up to Mike rather than move (which was suicide) and he had pretty sturdy defense, not to mention an outstanding jab. The only thing going against him is his tendency to mix it up on the inside rather than clinch, which might be his undoing. But he matches up pretty well. Nonetheless, 60/40 Tyson based on his speed and his ability to follow up once he hurts.
No I have them both on tape. Hell I have every Tyson fight on tape, actually. But they were 6 years and jail sentence before this fight could possibly take place, the Tyson of this period was biting ears, pulling arm bars and hitting after bells.
that Tyson was taking his beating from Holyfield like a man and fighting on. Many would argue that if it weren't for Holyfield's headbutts that the first fight, and maybe even the second fights would've transpired much differently. Ike wasn't that dirty of a fighter, and I think its more likely that Tyson is there to fight as he was in HF 1 or the Ruddock fights, and gets the job done.
Seems like a few people around here can't read. :: Tyson/Ruddock would be completely irrelevant when discussing a Tyson fight in 1997. Ike was very over-rated. I have a feeling most guys have only seen his fights with Tua and Byrd. I have seen at least six or seven of his fights, and he looked very ordinary a lot of the time. Also, for the record, I had his fight with Tua 6-5-1 for Tuaman. Tyson, however, was not really a world-beater post prison. He didn't have stamina or the mentality for tough fights. And Ike, if anything (as proved in the Tua fight), was durable. The guy could take a punch. If Ike could take Mike deep, which is possible, he could wear him out. The 1997 Tyson didn't create openings with the jab, or move his head. He was prone to be tired out, and was a mental midget. The pace that Ike set in the first three rounds against Tua could be enough to take Mike out of the fight. Tyson was NEVER someone who could turn the tables on a guy, like Tua was. Tua was known for falling behind and rallying when he was good, and lighter. Tyson was never a late round KOs guy... if memory serves, he only scored one KO after round 7 in his entire career, and the 7th round KO of Ruddock was VERY quick. I wasn't sure when I started writing this post... but a big, strong heavyweight who throws a lot of punches and has a great chin should be able to beat Tyson on points. I don't think Tyson beat anyone as good as Ike after he got out of jail. I say Ike UD.
Ike was a prospect, a good one yes, but nothing more. Tyson outclasses him. And yes I have most of Ike's fights on tape and seen him early. Also have all the Tyson fights, except the Sims fight. If somebody who has all his fights could upload the Simms fight for me I'd be grateful.
It depends o what you call a prospect. Prospects don't tend to hold wins over David Tua's and Chris Byrd's.
