This was the fight everyone wanted to see before Tyson lost to douglass and even after it would have been a pretty interesting fight. If these two warriors met in 1990 or 1991 instead of 1996/97 would the outcome of been any different?

Personally, I give Tyson a good chance to beat Evander back in the day. The guy was like a force of nature.

I would give Tyson the edge i that fight only because Evander only weigh like 205 i Think in 1991...in fact he may have jsut been a cruiser. This might sound dumb but Evander Holyfield really used the extra 10 lbs that he ended up gaining from his early heavyweight career advantageously. His move from being 205 to 215 really helped him to fill out as a fighter and develope some more power.

Tyson forsure would get the win by knockout. He was unstoppable in his prime.

Holy would have exposed Tyson, just like Douglas did. The only way Tyson has a chance is if Kevin Rooney is training him for the fight, although I don't think that would be enough. Tyson was a limited one dimensional fighter. Holy wins every time.

tyson should kill um but holyfield would still be using his head he does it in all his fights .. no man cuold beat tyson in 1991 he could come as hard and as fast as he could for the full fight .. there aint ever been a man created that could of withstood that

The punch was good and true,
It echoed from a nasty view...

He stood before and fell now,
a fighter who didnt bow...

Evander on a stretcher,
Holyfield in dream field. :D

Holyfield only started using his head after his left went downhill, when he can't keep that left up he uses his head to move in and tries to smother punches, to push you around with the thing.

Buster handed Mike his ass in his PRIME, so I think some of you guys need to take a step back on the 'Mike was invincible' crap.

Here's a simple, yet mathematically true equation I always use whenever the topic of Holyfield vs Tyson in 1990-91 would have been like:

Holyfield=Tyson Kryptonite

Learn it.

Live it.

Know it.



Holy would have beaten him in 1991, he would have beaten him in 1980, and he'd beat him in 2015.

Buster handed Mike his ass in his PRIME, so I think some of you guys need to take a step back on the 'Mike was invincible' crap.

Here's a simple, yet mathematically true equation I always use whenever the topic of Holyfield vs Tyson in 1990-91 would have been like:

Holyfield=Tyson Kryptonite

Learn it.

Live it.

Know it.



Holy would have beaten him in 1991, he would have beaten him in 1980, and he'd beat him in 2015.

Pretty much

alot has do do with Holyfield would never have been scared of him, would be able to take his punch and would be a better boxer.

Buster handed Mike his ass in his PRIME, so I think some of you guys need to take a step back on the 'Mike was invincible' crap.

Here's a simple, yet mathematically true equation I always use whenever the topic of Holyfield vs Tyson in 1990-91 would have been like:

Holyfield=Tyson Kryptonite

Learn it.

Live it.

Know it.



Holy would have beaten him in 1991, he would have beaten him in 1980, and he'd beat him in 2015.

Come on Hank! Everyone knows that Tyson didn't train for the Douglas fight.

If the two (Holy & Tyson) have met back in 91 it would 've been a legendary battle with Tyson coming out on top.

Man, this one's TOUGH.

In '91, Evander Holyfield still did not seem to be comfortable at heavyweight.
He was having trouble with guys like Holmes & Foreman, two FORMER greats who he couldn't put down...& who had their moments with him.
Holyfield was FASTER in those days....that would be a plus.

The Holyfield who beat Tyson in '96 was so much stronger than the one in '91.
Three fights with the massive, & skilled-inside Bowe, made pushing & shoving Mike Tyson around seem like child's play.

Mike, in '91, was a whole helluva lot better than the '96 version, but still not as good as the pre-Douglas Tyson.

Man, this one's TOUGH.


He was having trouble with guys like Holmes & Foreman, two FORMER greats who he couldn't put down...& who had their moments with him.


It's not like those guys were chinless turds, they have only been stopped once each in their long and successful careers. I never understood why Holy gets bashed for not knocking them out.

And Palma, it was still in Mike's prime. Just because he lost doesn't mean it's not his prime anymore. I'm sure there were a couple other fights he didn't train as well, it just caught up with his ass in the Douglas fight.

My point was that the "Mike was invincible" crowd should cool their jets since he ...well, wasn't.

Tyson, but it wouldn't be easy.

Tyson in 91 was deteriorated, just not as much as in 96, i think his improved stamina and actual body punching would allow him to take evander out late.

It's not like those guys were chinless turds, they have only been stopped once each in their long and successful careers. I never understood why Holy gets bashed for not knocking them out.

And Palma, it was still in Mike's prime. Just because he lost doesn't mean it's not his prime anymore. I'm sure there were a couple other fights he didn't train as well, it just caught up with his ass in the Douglas fight.

My point was that the "Mike was invincible" crowd should cool their jets since he ...well, wasn't.

I never said that he wasn't in his prime when he lost to Douglas. I said that he didn't train for that particular fight. The events that took place prior to that fight was eerie. Did any of you ever see the footage of Mike getting decked to the canvas by his sparring partner when he was training before the Douglas fight?? After seeing that I knew that Mike was not 100%

Its obvious from watching the Douglas fight thatTyson was not fighting properly, and he still had Douglas down for a count of ten.
Some people think that it was the Bruno fight which showed Tyson was on a decline.
He would have been too much for Holyfield. By the time they fought Tyson had been in prison for 3 years!
It always suprises me that people reguard Holyfields victory over Tyson so highly. The one round where Tyson threw combinations, he won.

I think Tyson would have been too much for Holy in 91, 7 or 8 round stoppage.
The 96 version of Tyson was quite a bit less than the 91 version whereas holy was alot stronger but had started to slow a little, however his gains outweigh his losses in those five years and Tyson basically just got marginally worse

[QUOTE=theironone]I think Tyson would have been too much for Holy in 91, 7 or 8 round stoppage.

C`mon, stop with this! We all know Holyfield always had Tyson`s number. Remember the clash in the 1984 Olimpic trails and Cus let Holyfield and Tyson Spar? Remember Cus pulling Tyson out because he knew that this Holyfield guy was too much for my boy!
Tyson was so pissed that Holyfield matched him and it played out in 1996.
In 1991 Holyfield was in his prime, and remember what you all said, you all said it before the fight with Tyson that Holyfield had a HEART CONDITION. That he would be CARRIED OUT ON A STRECHER!! You all said this and Holyfield still kicked his ass.
So how the hell does a 1991 Holyfield pre - heart condition, pre shot, pre wars with Bowe lose to a bully punk shit like Mike Tyson?
Holy beat Tyson mentally in both their fights, he would always beat him!

At Tyson there would be in 1991 more chances of a victory: he was more various technically, though already frequently tried to fall down opponents simply a brute strength; + fighting weight Holyfield was at that time for 8-10 pounds less. But all the same I think, that Evander would win.

[QUOTE=theironone]I think Tyson would have been too much for Holy in 91, 7 or 8 round stoppage.

C`mon, stop with this! We all know Holyfield always had Tyson`s number. Remember the clash in the 1984 Olimpic trails and Cus let Holyfield and Tyson Spar? Remember Cus pulling Tyson out because he knew that this Holyfield guy was too much for my boy!
Tyson was so pissed that Holyfield matched him and it played out in 1996.
In 1991 Holyfield was in his prime, and remember what you all said, you all said it before the fight with Tyson that Holyfield had a HEART CONDITION. That he would be CARRIED OUT ON A STRECHER!! You all said this and Holyfield still kicked his ass.
So how the hell does a 1991 Holyfield pre - heart condition, pre shot, pre wars with Bowe lose to a bully punk shit like Mike Tyson?
Holy beat Tyson mentally in both their fights, he would always beat him!
Firstly, who are you refering to?
Secondly all this talk about "remember when Tyson sparred with Holyfield" stuff, sounds like heresay, and in NO WAY reflects on a fight which happend many years after, when both fighters had been through so much.
aND tHIRDLY, Holyfield in 1991 was smaller, less powerful and less expirenced than Holyfield of 1996, PLUS Tyson of 1991 was faster, stronger and almost in his prime, compared to Tyson of 1996 having been in prision for 3 YEARS! And had NO meaningful fights since Ruddock.
SO, to say Holyfield ALWAYS had Tysons number is total bull.

if they fought in 1991 when they were supposed to tyson would have kayoed holyfield, he was not a true heavy yet at that point and he probably wouldnt have been able to hurt tyson, everyone knows tyson was a diff fighter before he went to prison. tyson kayo 6th round, but the reality is holyfield beat his ass when they did fight so its all just speculation

Did any of you ever see the footage of Mike getting decked to the canvas by his sparring partner when he was training before the Douglas fight?? After seeing that I knew that Mike was not 100%

Yeah I remember it well, and the sparring partner in question was Greg Page if my memory serves me correctly.

page was a talented boxer and a threat at one time, i believe it

Tyson would have wooped Holyfield if it was 91. He was a better fighter then.

Tyson by 6 round Ko

Holyfield anytime anyplace anywhere 91 or not tyson would have came game enough but would be easily discouraged by his lack of not hurting holyfield. Repeat of there first fight.

Tyson would have a better chance to beat holyfield but holyfield

was in his prime too. I would pick holyfield to win in a close

decision.

Buster handed Mike his ass in his PRIME, so I think some of you guys need to take a step back on the 'Mike was invincible' crap.

Here's a simple, yet mathematically true equation I always use whenever the topic of Holyfield vs Tyson in 1990-91 would have been like:

Holyfield=Tyson Kryptonite

Learn it.

Live it.

Know it.



Holy would have beaten him in 1991, he would have beaten him in 1980, and he'd beat him in 2015.

I agree completely! Holyfield would be Tysons "damn, I just cant beat him" no matter what the year ;)

1990 and beyond Holyfield wins. Bullys don't like to be pushed. The only way Tyson wins is prime Tyson in 1988(before confidence and invincability is gone) against Holyfield of 1990. And I still wouldn't bet on it. Holyfield had something that Tyson could only dream of....heart and courage.

if this fight had happened it could have been a war.. brutal war and maybe one of the better fights ever and maybe just maybe tyson wouldnt have gone crazy in the ring or in life and holyfeild might have his full ear left on his head.

Tyson was faster, stronger and more determined back then. The referee would've stopped the action with holyfield getting hit too often late in the 5th or 6th round.

Tyson win by KO in the middle of the fight.

Seeing how Holyfield was way past his prime when he fought Tyson (REmember, ring magazine predicted Tyson to win in 1 round) and still not only beat him, but beat him up, in a one sided mismatch, only makes logical sense that he would have absolutely killed him in early ninety, and i'm sure tyson knows this too.

I think Holyfield woud have beaten him in 91 to

I Think Holyfield Always Had His Number.

Tyson was faster, stronger and more determined back then.
...AND more trained.

Tyson would have won the fight.

During that time Tyson had the aura of invincebility around him, everybody believed in, and Tyson was feared. When Tyson landed the first few punches, his opponents seem to forget all about boxing. Tysons series of punches would have destroyed Holyfield, like spinks, only Holyfield is a bit tougher. Holyfield KO in 7 on a bodyshot.

This was the fight everyone wanted to see before Tyson lost to douglass and even after it would have been a pretty interesting fight. If these two warriors met in 1990 or 1991 instead of 1996/97 would the outcome of been any different?

Personally, I give Tyson a good chance to beat Evander back in the day. The guy was like a force of nature.

I'd have to say it would be 60/40 in Holyfield's favor. He just has Tyson's style figured out, and has all the attributes to beat him.

Tyson had trouble landing on Holyfield, and one musn't forget that Holyfield has a great chin. Of course the 91 Tyson would have given Holyfield a much better fight.

Don't forget, Ring magazine picked tyson to stop Holy in one round in the fight they did fight. Tyson should be thankful they didn't fight earlier. It would have been an even worse beating. I watched both guys in thier prime, Holyfield had slowed down alot more than tyson had when they finally met. No question about it. Holyfield was just a better fighter. I'm sure even Tyson would admit that.

This was the fight everyone wanted to see before Tyson lost to douglass and even after it would have been a pretty interesting fight. If these two warriors met in 1990 or 1991 instead of 1996/97 would the outcome of been any different?

Personally, I give Tyson a good chance to beat Evander back in the day. The guy was like a force of nature.



I agree with you 100%. The reason why Holyfield was able to defeat Tyson in 1997 was because by then Holyfield went through the experiences of fighting Foreman,Holmes,Cooper,Bowe,Moorer, all these fights honed him and seasoned him to make the fighter he eventually became in 1997. Back in 1991 he was still a little green and quite wasn't at his prime yet,the only real war he had back then was with Qawi, also Tyson was still sharp training on his last years with Rooney. The outcome in 1991? Tyson by UD or late stoppage 9 or 10 round, although Holyfield wasn't at his prime yet back in 1991 he still had a lot of heart and an iron chin, so I dont think Tyson could have KO him and put him to sleep but a TKO in the late rounds was highly possible.

I think Holy wins this fight by UD. He is a true great. A warrior both in and out of the ring.
I would have liked to see Foreman vs. Mike in '91.

Tyson by hard fought decision.

Tyson would have his first loss to Holyfield a few years early.

Come on Hank! Everyone knows that Tyson didn't train for the Douglas fight.

If the two (Holy & Tyson) have met back in 91 it would 've been a legendary battle with Tyson coming out on top.When did Tyson ever train, chances are he wouldn't have trained for Holyfield back in '91 either.... Holyfield by U.D or k.o.

The point of the matter here is that Tyson lost (trained or not) to Douglas. The thing that eats at me is the fact that Tyson raped that girl and went to jail for several years. The time spent in jail really screwed him in regards to training etc.
My question to you people is this: Imagine the same fight with Holyfield back in 1997/98. Would the outcome have been any different if Mike had not spent or wasted his skills away in jail, but instead fought regularly??

The point of the matter here is that Tyson lost (trained or not) to Douglas. The thing that eats at me is the fact that Tyson raped that girl and went to jail for several years. The time spent in jail really screwed him in regards to training etc.
My question to you people is this: Imagine the same fight with Holyfield back in 1997/98. Would the outcome have been any different if Mike had not spent or wasted his skills away in jail, but instead fought regularly??

Nothing but love for ya Palma, but I gotta disagree. THis is Holyfield were talking about here too. He was, at that time, damn hard to beat. I honestly dont see Tyson beating him at any time of their careers (not including now when Holy should be retired). His style was nothing but trouble for Tyson, and he proved that twice..to the point that it frustrated Tyson so much he bit his ear off! Considering that he never trained to begin with (atleast according to some posters here) and the type of lifestyle he led, I cant see him doing any better had he not gone to jail. I mean, what would he have been doing during those 2 years anyway, besides getting into trouble? One thing about Evander that almost everyone agree's on is his dedication to training..just looking at his body now, at his age, tells us all that when he trains, he TRAINS!! He was always the underdog, which fed his fire too. I just dont see Tyson beating him..not at all. Tysons greatest asset was his power..well, Holyfield had one hell of a chin..so, what could Tyson do when he couldnt knock him out?? Outbox him? I cant see that either. Just my humble opinion, of course! :D

Nothing but love for ya Palma, but I gotta disagree. THis is Holyfield were talking about here too. He was, at that time, damn hard to beat. I honestly dont see Tyson beating him at any time of their careers (not including now when Holy should be retired). His style was nothing but trouble for Tyson, and he proved that twice..to the point that it frustrated Tyson so much he bit his ear off! Considering that he never trained to begin with (atleast according to some posters here) and the type of lifestyle he led, I cant see him doing any better had he not gone to jail. I mean, what would he have been doing during those 2 years anyway, besides getting into trouble? One thing about Evander that almost everyone agree's on is his dedication to training..just looking at his body now, at his age, tells us all that when he trains, he TRAINS!! He was always the underdog, which fed his fire too. I just dont see Tyson beating him..not at all. Tysons greatest asset was his power..well, Holyfield had one hell of a chin..so, what could Tyson do when he couldnt knock him out?? Outbox him? I cant see that either. Just my humble opinion, of course! :D


Good post. I agree, and another major thing that Tysons career was built on was his ability to instill fear into his opponents. Holyfield definitely wasn't afraid of anyone. Tyson would have 0 psychological edge. I think Holy would have beaten Tyson at any point in their respective careers.

This was the fight everyone wanted to see before Tyson lost to douglass and even after it would have been a pretty interesting fight. If these two warriors met in 1990 or 1991 instead of 1996/97 would the outcome of been any different?

Personally, I give Tyson a good chance to beat Evander back in the day. The guy was like a force of nature.
Y'know, Holy probably would have beaten him then too but I bet it would have fulfilled more of our expectations regarding Tyson's performances.

Back in 91 I was sure Mike Tyson would knock out Holyfield easy. There was no doubt in my mind. But after the 96 fight, I started to wonder. Now, I can´t see Tyson beating Holyfield at all. Of course, Tyson always has a chance early on with his speed and power, but I believe the 91-version of Holyfield would survive the early storm and come back to outbox Tyson like he did in 1996.

Nothing but love for ya Palma, but I gotta disagree. THis is Holyfield were talking about here too. He was, at that time, damn hard to beat. I honestly dont see Tyson beating him at any time of their careers (not including now when Holy should be retired). His style was nothing but trouble for Tyson, and he proved that twice..to the point that it frustrated Tyson so much he bit his ear off! Considering that he never trained to begin with (atleast according to some posters here) and the type of lifestyle he led, I cant see him doing any better had he not gone to jail. I mean, what would he have been doing during those 2 years anyway, besides getting into trouble? One thing about Evander that almost everyone agree's on is his dedication to training..just looking at his body now, at his age, tells us all that when he trains, he TRAINS!! He was always the underdog, which fed his fire too. I just dont see Tyson beating him..not at all. Tysons greatest asset was his power..well, Holyfield had one hell of a chin..so, what could Tyson do when he couldnt knock him out?? Outbox him? I cant see that either. Just my humble opinion, of course! :D


Fair enough Tracy! ;)

At the time of 1991 I thought Tyson would destroy Holy,like most people being honest with themselves. In retrospect, I now feel Holy would have beaten him at any time. Tyson is and was a front running bully. If you fight back and are not afraid, he crumbles. Holyfield had a perfect style to defeat Iron Mike.

Good post. I agree, and another major thing that Tysons career was built on was his ability to instill fear into his opponents. Holyfield definitely wasn't afraid of anyone. Tyson would have 0 psychological edge. I think Holy would have beaten Tyson at any point in their respective careers.

Thats for sure! Instilling fear in Holy was as hard to do as knocking him out! No easy feat. Like they say, styles do make fights, and I think these two guys are a classic example of that theory ;)

Holy beats Tyson in 91, and probably any time in Tyson's career although seeing iron mike in his prime ( 1986 ) against a prime holy would some sweet fight

Holy beats Tyson in 91, and probably any time in Tyson's career although seeing iron mike in his prime ( 1986 ) against a prime holy would some sweet fight

Ahhh that would have been so cool! I know back in '87 Holy was known as the Cruiser King..far as I remember anyway!

Iron Mike Tyson - The Real Deal Evander Holyfield

1990-1994 - Fight of the Year - Ring Magazine - winner Tyson :boxing: