I think the 1st Holyfield vs Tyson fight is one of the most slept on fights in the last 20 years. The build up was great and it was a fight that was brewing for years. But some say the Tyson of a few years prior would've taken that Holyfield out.
What's your call?
It's funny how one fight can totally change the way you look at a fighter (Douglas vs Tyson). Buster pretty much drew the blueprint on how to beat Mike. He boxed him and landed short hooks and backed up. Mike looked frustrated as hell though he was landing some hard shots of his own. Holyfield managed to do the same to Tyson and ironically looked to be the stronger and fresher of the two (at least by that time).
The young Mike though indeed wan an animal. I remember as early as 1990 when Holyfield was in a similar position to Cotto when Floyd was THE fight to make between them 2. Holyfield was the guy on the horizon who would eventually fight Mike. I wonder sometimes if Mike didn't go to jail how much sooner their fight might've happened.
Part of me agrees Mike could KO Holyfield, but Evander also was a no fear fighter and proved he could take a hell of a beating and still come back and win. I'd favor Evander, but not by a lot (at that point of Mike's career)
Tyson at his peak would KO Holyfield.
Mike Tyson 1986-1989 wins over anyone by KO.....Lefty
His punch could KO a gorilla and he bites harder then a great white shark.....grrrrrr eat his children all of them.....Lefty
Tyson probably by knockout. People don't realize that Tyson was a short burning fuze, and that his prime did not last for long at all. How many 18 year old fighters do you see demolishing the best Heavyweight opposition in the world? Sitting behind bars doing nothing for three years didn't help Tyson much either.