Tyson v Bowe in 1996 who wins?

[Willie Pep 229]

Does Tony Tucker count as great? He was at the top of his game when Tyson took his belt.

Berbick and Smith were in good condition as well.

All three title holders were 'not past it' when Tyson beat them. Same with Biggs, Ruddock, and Bruno.

Tyson beat many fighters who were prime.

The question really comes to, "Who was great?"

Here, on this forum, I ain't touching that one.

P.S. I agree, M. Spinks is not a serious answer. He had peaked already, was small sized for Tyson, and the period between Holmes II and Tyson was a period of semi-retirement, so he was certainly not peaking. (Yeah, I know the Cooney fight was during that period. -- But like I said, Spinks was 'semi-retired.')

[QueensburyRules]

A aging and nervous lightheavy with dodgy knees.

He was a truly great fighter but not at heavy.

Mike never beat another great in their prime.

I don't count a ring rusty old Holmes who should have had several tune ups before facing Tyson.

- - Tubby Lar had been training for a year in his own gym for that fight.

What grade was U in then?

[QueensburyRules]

Does Tony Tucker count as great? He was at the top of his game when Tyson took his belt.

Berbick and Smith were in good condition as well.

All three title holders were 'not past it' when Tyson beat them. Same with Biggs, Ruddock, and Bruno.

Tyson beat many fighters who were prime.

The question really comes to, "Who was great?"

Here, on this forum, I ain't touching that one.

P.S. I agree, M. Spinks is not a serious answer. He had peaked already, was small sized for Tyson, and the period between Holmes II and Tyson was a period of semi-retirement, so he was certainly not peaking. (Yeah, I know the Cooney fight was during that period. -- But like I said, Spinks was 'semi-retired.')

- - Couldn't stand Tony, but he was naturally gifted and an ideal size in that era and undefeated. Took his loss like a man, but his daddy took short $$$ from King to dash off to some hellscape he picked out leaving his son without any $$$ and psychologically damaged for the rest of his career, exactly the way DKing liked his fighters.

[Willie Pep 229]

- - Couldn't stand Tony, but he was naturally gifted and an ideal size in that era and undefeated. Took his loss like a man, but his daddy took short $$$ from King to dash off to some hellscape he picked out leaving his son without any $$$ and psychologically damaged for the rest of his career, exactly the way DKing liked his fighters.

Sad to hear!

[GhostofDempsey]

I would favor Tyson coming off back to back wins vs Bruno and Seldon. A lot of fans forget Golota was beating Bowe on the scorecards before being DQ’d. Tyson would have beaten him worse and without low blows or ear biting.

[Willie Pep 229]

I would favor Tyson coming off back to back wins vs Bruno and Seldon. A lot of fans forget Golota was beating Bowe on the scorecards before being DQ’d. Tyson would have beaten him worse and without low blows or ear biting.

I agree Bowe did not look good against Golota either time, losing on the score cards each time.

But how much does a low blow take out of a fighter? Those low blows by Golota were not controversial. They were multiple, vicious, deliberate, and very low punches.

I felt as though each time Bowe started to find a rhythm, Golota would stop him in his tracks with another low blow.

I wonder, but don't know; I think if Golota doesn't cheat, Bowe would have found his zone and taken command of the fight? Stopping Golota late.

[solidman]

Tyson missed a great chance to get Bowe's name on his record

[BKM-]

I agree Bowe did not look good against Golota either time, losing on the score cards each time.

But how much does a low blow take out of a fighter? Those low blows by Golota were not controversial. They were multiple, vicious, deliberate, and very low punches.

I felt as though each time Bowe started to find a rhythm, Golota would stop him in his tracks with another low blow.

I wonder, but don't know; I think if Golota doesn't cheat, Bowe would have found his zone and taken command of the fight? Stopping Golota late.

Every time I watch those fights, drama and fouls etc. aside, I just see a very clear case of two fighters facing eachother with one being of a very clear higher caliber than the other, and their mental strength was actually equally far apart. It was pretty amazing.

Bowe had great offense and bad defense. He really only faced one guy who was tall and long enough to make him pay for the latter, and command the flow of the fight. Golota was clearly better. Lennox was also better, difference is he would not collapse mentally and he'd make Bowe stay down. Rid**** knew this which is why he ducked him.

I can see why bowe was good friends with Tyson. Ducks like to frequent the same pond.

[solidman]

Bowe let everybody down by ducking lewis

[QueensburyRules]

I agree Bowe did not look good against Golota either time, losing on the score cards each time.

But how much does a low blow take out of a fighter? Those low blows by Golota were not controversial. They were multiple, vicious, deliberate, and very low punches.

I felt as though each time Bowe started to find a rhythm, Golota would stop him in his tracks with another low blow.

I wonder, but don't know; I think if Golota doesn't cheat, Bowe would have found his zone and taken command of the fight? Stopping Golota late.

- - Big Dummy was easily as bad as Golota if not worse in his career.

Golota a nut case couldn't help ruining his fine work, but Big Dummy was just a 2bit thug who actually kidnapped his wife and daughter at gunpoint. His criminally thugish mgr Rock Newman dangerously clotheslined Elija Tillery to the ring floor in tough fight.

• Tillery was hurt midway through Round 1 by a right hand. A left hook sent Tillery down at 2:52. He was up at the count of six and received a mandatory eight-count. Although it appeared that the round should have been over after the standing eight-count, the two fighters were allowed to continue for another 10-15 seconds. After the referee called an end to the round, in retaliation to a jab after the bell by Bowe, Tillery kicked Bowe three times. As a melee ensued, Tillery was pulled backwards over the ropes and onto the floor by Bowe's manager Rock Newman. Tillery was disqualified for "a flagrant kick".

Basically Bowe was being bumrushed so they could ambush the smaller Evan Field for his title.