Who would have won if Tyson fought Holyfield in 1991

[JAB5239]

Bert Cooper very nearly stopped Holyfield and i think if it had been Tyson in there he'd have finished him off. I lean to Tyson to win in 91.

I think Holy took him lightly, but still pushed forward for the win. Cooper was a good fighter, just inconsistent. I expect had they fought again Evander would have handled him much more easily.

[BKM-]

I think Holy took him lightly, but still pushed forward for the win. Cooper was a good fighter, just inconsistent. I expect had they fought again Evander would have handled him much more easily.

Evander was damn good in rematches especially when it comes to avoiding the mistakes of the first fight. Moorer 2 and Bowe 2 were nearly flawless and he was on his way to schooling Tyson again and almost beat Lewis in the rematch.

It was stated he was very coachable and his physical gifts were tremendous, being able to stick and move or outmuscle and out-fight opponents in-close. There's a lot you can achieve with that.

[solidman]

I think Holy took him lightly, but still pushed forward for the win. Cooper was a good fighter, just inconsistent. I expect had they fought again Evander would have handled him much more easily.

Holyfield brawled more in them days in the early 90s. I believe he would have brawled with Tyson.

[JAB5239]

Holyfield brawled more in them days in the early 90s. I believe he would have brawled with Tyson.

And you could very well be right.

[BKM-]

Holyfield brawled more in them days in the early 90s. I believe he would have brawled with Tyson.

He didn't brawl with Foreman or Mercer.

[billeau2]

Mike Tyson in 1991 was an emotional wreck being handled by incompetent seconds and an evil promoter.

Why would you think Mike Tyson would appear for a Holyfield fight any more prepared than he was for Douglas.

Are you actually asking: What if Tyson-Holyfield happened before Holyfield juiced?

I would suggest that we consider basically a best version of each... As that would seem to be the essence of the question. I will ask the OP to weigh in as well.

[billeau2]

This has probably been discussed to death. However it still intrigues me. I find it hard to pick a winner in 91. For me it would either have been Tyson in 8 rounds or Holyfield on points.

May I suggest we simplify your thread to: the best version of each? For Holyfield the best version at heavy... Just a suggestion but I think it goes to the real question you are posing. That is unless you really want specifically the version of Tyson but as Pep said this would not be his best version.

[billeau2]

Evander was damn good in rematches especially when it comes to avoiding the mistakes of the first fight. Moorer 2 and Bowe 2 were nearly flawless and he was on his way to schooling Tyson again and almost beat Lewis in the rematch.

It was stated he was very coachable and his physical gifts were tremendous, being able to stick and move or outmuscle and out-fight opponents in-close. There's a lot you can achieve with that.

He was very coachable... And he relied upon great coaching insights to beat Bowe and Tyson IMO.

[billeau2]

- - We know English ain't your expertise. Tending bar, slopping pigs, and knocking out customers with Mickey's what U excel in...

Kinda sounds like you have been "tending" a bit of bar yerself this fine afternoon.

[billeau2]

Holyfield at his very best, well coached, in great shape, etc versus Tyson at his very best... A very tough fight to predict. Holy did a lot of things very well and was well rounded, He seemed to have more will because fighters like Tyson, Liston and Foreman tend to "crack" at a point when pressured. Not that this is such a weakness... We are talking about a lot of pressure!

Thing is, Tyson was also well rounded. And he had devistating power, fast feet, and could apply terrible physical pressure.

Here is the big difference: The version of Tyson Holyfield fought had slowed down enough that when Holy pushed forward he could triangulate Tyson enough to push him off balance by coming forwards, I do not think he could do that to the version of Tyson that had fast feet... at least not as succesfully. From a metaphysical perspective it would be a question of who cracks first: Does Holy crack under Tyson's immense physical pressure? Or does Tyson crack under Holy's immense psychological pressure?

People forget how explosive Tyson was at his best. Like FRazier and Marciano he used his shortness to his advantage, and adopted Dempsey's principles using pivots and head movements to get inside.

I think Tyson is too much for Holy. Tyson was more well rounded than people often think. He could box well enough to match up and destroy really good punchers. Holy had some power and might have been able to threaten Tyson occasionally but IMO not enough. If Holy cannot back Tyson up he does not unbalance Tyson. I could well e wrong and it is possible that just as he did in their fights, Holy could have moved Mike by really coming in hard to take his center.

But... Even if you watch the first fight? Tyson catches Holy occasionally.