Why did Tyson fight Holmes in 88?

In both the case of Ali Holmes and Tyson Holmes, the champion did not want the fight, but did not want the old HOFer alling them out. The difference is that Holmes out-jabbed and out worked Ali to win a late stoppage, but still respected him. Tyson blew through Holmes coming off two close losses to Spinks. At the end of the day, you fight the guy that is in front of you.

Hadn't Holmes been retired for 2 years or something? It's not like beating an old Holmes was going to get Tyson the name recognition he needed anything. I mean, he'd already become the undisputed heavyweight champion, correct? Money plain and simple

There was no animosity bewteen the two going into that fight, guys. It was truly one of those "changing of the guards" typ of fights. Holmes was the great heavyweight, before Tyson.....& much like Holmes fought & beat Ali, Tyson fought & beat Holmes. Holmes wanted a shot....& as a former great, he was granted one. Tyson truly respected Larry Holmes. ditto these kind of fights happen all the time. It's was way fpor the box promoters to show the not so interested general public that Tyson has suplanted Holmes as teh main man. Everyone woh follows boxing knew the outcome of teh fight, but it was symbolic as much as anything else.

You know larry thinks that if he had more time to train for his fight against tyson he would of beaten mike

Well, I do recall during the pre-fight conferences when Holmes said something about Tyson ending up in jail in near the future. He was right. Larry Holmes is a wise, wise man

Well since he could see things coming so well he should have saw himself going flat broke dealing with Don King.

What did Holmes say about Ali? As if Ali didn't trash talk opponents. Tyson punished Holmes and Holmes obliterated Ali.

There was no animosity bewteen the two going into that fight, guys. It was truly one of those "changing of the guards" typ of fights. Holmes was the great heavyweight, before Tyson.....& much like Holmes fought & beat Ali, Tyson fought & beat Holmes. Holmes wanted a shot....& as a former great, he was granted one. Tyson truly respected Larry Holmes. Finally someone said it. Im reading these posts and like WTF are these guys talking about...Thanks

There was no animosity bewteen the two going into that fight, guys. It was truly one of those "changing of the guards" typ of fights. Holmes was the great heavyweight, before Tyson.....& much like Holmes fought & beat Ali, Tyson fought & beat Holmes. Holmes wanted a shot....& as a former great, he was granted one. Tyson truly respected Larry Holmes.

nah, man, that was Mitch Green. Green saw Tyson downtown in Harlem and was talking smack so Tyson hit him so hard he broke his hand. he also broke Green's jaw though.

no holmes said something about tyson, tyson got mad thats why he fough holmes.

Tyson did this to Holmes...

Nah, I am going to tell you all the truth about the matter...Tyson fought Holmes only to make up for what Holmes did to Ali. We all know that Tyson loves Ali, and would do anything for him, so he crushed Holmes to vindicate Ali. Isn't revenge sweet??

Hadn't Holmes been retired for 2 years or something? It's not like beating an old Holmes was going to get Tyson the name recognition he needed anything. I mean, he'd already become the undisputed heavyweight champion, correct? Holmes retired? Hell, that dude's still calling out Foreman...