Who was better?Tyson or Holyfield?

[Shaolin Bushido]

Mike Tyson was just as good as ever when he came out of prison. He knocked out Frank Bruno who was WBC champion at the time even way earlier than he did the first time before prison, plus he Took Seldon the WBA champion down in 1 round. He took Buster Mathis Jr down in like 3 rounds. He took #7 contender Peter McNeely down in 1. He looked like the old Mike Tyson until he ran into Holyfield. In all Mike's fights after prison he weighed in at below 220 pounds. When he fought Holyfield he came in at 222, he did not train his best. Everytime Tyson looses he weighs in at over 220 pounds. When he fought Douglas was one of the first times I ever saw him weigh in at over 220. His optimal weight 216 217 218. You would not think that small amount of pounds would make a big difference for a heavyweight but its just a freak fact that in all Tyson's losses he weighs in at over 220.

At the time Tyson and Holyfield fought it was generally thought that Mike Tyson was as good as ever by the boxing press and public since Tyson was a 7-1 money favorite over Holyfield.

LOL, "beat Seldon". More like he managed to make contact before The Atlantic City Express could get to the floor!

Honestly ....

[The Troll]

LOL, "beat Seldon". More like he managed to make contact before The Atlantic City Express could get to the floor!

Honestly ....

I does not matter what you say about the Seldon fight, He dismantled Bruno the WBC champion at the time even faster and better than he did the first time before prison, then add Buster Mathis Jr to the list who he KO'd in 3, and #7 contender McNeely who he KO'd in 1. Tyson did look good as ever after coming out of prison there is no denying it. Holyfield was a 7-1 underdog in the first fight against Tyson and really is all there is too it. I just remember predicitng Holyfield would win and everybody slagging me off but then apologizing later on because I was right, everybody I know I remember was picking Tyson to destroy the "blown up cruiserweight" Evander Holyfield.

[Warhawk46]

Mike Tyson versus Evander Holyfield...

Who was a better fighter? When was each's respective "prime"?

Mike Tyson blossomed early. He was in his prime from 1986-1988. These were his years being trained by Kevin Rooney. Before anyone makes an asinine post about trainers having nothing to do with anything....shut up. Rooney had everything to do with Mike Tyson's success. Mike doesnt trust people, and he did trust Kevin Rooney. They had a mutual respect, and Tyson hasnt really respected a trainer since then with the exception of Freddie Roach, or maybe Jeff Fenech now.

Holyfield's prime was later than Tyson's. This was partly due to his greater work ethic. Holyfield fought Rid**** Bowe in his prime. He was considered old and had a "reported" bad heart when he fought Tyson. Tyson was hyped after prison by Don King, and he was made to look unbeatable. He fought bums. McNeely was terrible. Mathis Jr was fat joke. Frank Bruno in the rematch was far from the Frank Bruno of their first fight. Bruno fought like a scared kid against Tyson in the rematch. Tyson was hyped after prison, but in reality he was far removed from his prime, much, much father from it than Holyfield was from his prime.

Had the two fought in 1991, it might have been much different, even though by that time Mike Tyson had abandoned his headmovement/defense and combination punching in exchange for mediocre one-shot headhunting.

Take a prime Mike Tyson and have him face a prime Evander Holyfield, Tyson wins via late TKO. The referee would be forced to stop the fight because Evander would take combinations to the head.

One more point: Evander gets called a small heavyweight, but really Mike Tyson was smaller. Tyson is 5'11", 216 lbs, and 71" reach in his prime. Holyfield is 6'2", around 210 lbs, and has a 77" reach. Holyfield and Tyson were both all muscle in their primes (and Holyfield still is today), and both were small heavyweights. However, Mike Tyson was even smaller.

[Shaolin Bushido]

I does not matter what you say about the Seldon fight, He dismantled Bruno the WBC champion at the time even faster and better than he did the first time before prison, then add Buster Mathis Jr to the list who he KO'd in 3, and #7 contender McNeely who he KO'd in 1. Tyson did look good as ever after coming out of prison there is no denying it. Holyfield was a 7-1 underdog in the first fight against Tyson and really is all there is too it. I just remember predicitng Holyfield would win and everybody slagging me off but then apologizing later on because I was right, everybody I know I remember was picking Tyson to destroy the "blown up cruiserweight" Evander Holyfield.

I thought he'd kill Holy too! Just remembered that Seldon fight; he's even admitted that he's had trouble living down that loss.

He didn't redeem himself too well, losing to that guy with the big ole ***** **** by basically surrendering again.

[Warden11]

If Tyson was so FAR from his prime and Holyfield was so close then why was Tyson so favoured to win leading up to the fight?

[kapersky]

-> don king <-

[A.J.]

1000% Mike Tyson.

[run_for_your_effing_life]

to EZ tyson

[kapersky]

One more point: Evander gets called a small heavyweight, but really Mike Tyson was smaller. Tyson is 5'11", 216 lbs, and 71" reach in his prime. Holyfield is 6'2", around 210 lbs, and has a 77" reach. Holyfield and Tyson were both all muscle in their primes (and Holyfield still is today), and both were small heavyweights. However, Mike Tyson was even smaller.

yep, why is everyone saying holyfield is samller than tyson?
, holyfield is much bigger than tyson. maybe he was a cruiserweight(long time ago)but he is a natural heavyweight not like james toney. i think holyfield that night would beat his prime. his prime maybe was little faster but...

[RockyMarciano]

I cnat believe it!!! after all this time people on boxing scene have been loving tyson holding him on high...THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS THREAD. Holyfield was the man...i am so tired of people feeling pity for tyson and saying he is good.....2 words for that....danny williams.....ha!