Who could beat 86-89 Tyson?

[QueensburyRules]

When Alvarez fought Mayweather he was only 23, Although he'd had 40 fioghts he was still learning and NOWHERE near his prime. He never had a real amateur career. Started boxing age 13, turned pro aged 15.

Of course Mayweather knew all this otherwise he wouldn't have fought him. Alvarez was green.

- - Didn't matter since TBE TUE 51-0 had 2 of his hometown judges lined up in his corner as well as Bayliss who knows better than any who butters his bread.

Sven Ottke 2.0.

[BKM-]

Personally I don't think anyone could have. Foreman was too stodgy, and would either have been stopped after absorbing huge punishment, or losing every round. Tyson was too fast, too defensively excellent for Foreman to even hit him, unless by accident

Amusing. Where to start? Well lets start here, you know both Tyson and Foreman only move in 1 direction right?

[The Old LefHook]

Jack Johnson may muffle Mike with clinches, where Mike is mediocre. But Johnson actually knows how to fight in clinches, of which he is a master. Jack knew how to get something out of his clinches, they were not for their own sake. Styles make fights. Prime Johnson likely clinches Mike to exhaustion then dismantles him once the outside is safe.

Johnson never saw a thing in the world like Mike. He never knew such a thing could even exist. Tyson kills him everywhere but a clinch. Fleeing to the clinch is the key for Johnson, and perhaps the only way out. And this way out is no elk trail but a grand boulevard.

[BKM-]

Jack Johnson may muffle Mike with clinches, where Mike is mediocre. But Johnson actually knows how to fight in clinches, of which he is a master. Jack knew how to get something out of his clinches, they were not for their own sake. Styles make fights. Prime Johnson likely clinches Mike to exhaustion then dismantles him once the outside is safe.

Johnson never saw a thing in the world like Mike. He never knew such a thing could even exist. Tyson kills him everywhere but a clinch. Fleeing to the clinch is the key for Johnson, and perhaps the only way out. And this way out is no elk trail but a grand boulevard.

So true, and it was easy to clinch Tyson up. Pretty much any of his opponents set on holding on were able to take him to the distance. Even some very low level opponents took him to the later rounds purely by clinching. His inside game is almost nonexistent and he has very weak grappling, and is also lazy on the inside and loses heart quickly.

Johnson would also screw with his head the entire way. The constant taunting would get to Tyson bad. I don't think he would survive the distance even if it's a mere 12 rounds.

[Willie Pep 229]

Jack Johnson may muffle Mike with clinches, where Mike is mediocre. But Johnson actually knows how to fight in clinches, of which he is a master. Jack knew how to get something out of his clinches, they were not for their own sake. Styles make fights. Prime Johnson likely clinches Mike to exhaustion then dismantles him once the outside is safe.

Johnson never saw a thing in the world like Mike. He never knew such a thing could even exist. Tyson kills him everywhere but a clinch. Fleeing to the clinch is the key for Johnson, and perhaps the only way out. And this way out is no elk trail but a grand boulevard.

No doubt Bonecrusher benefited from being the third title fight and saw that as the only reasonable tactic avaiable at the time. Too bad he didn't have the courage to take more risks, he might have shocked the world, or at least suprised himself.

[QueensburyRules]

So true, and it was easy to clinch Tyson up. Pretty much any of his opponents set on holding on were able to take him to the distance. Even some very low level opponents took him to the later rounds purely by clinching. His inside game is almost nonexistent and he has very weak grappling, and is also lazy on the inside and loses heart quickly.

Johnson would also screw with his head the entire way. The constant taunting would get to Tyson bad. I don't think he would survive the distance even if it's a mere 12 rounds.

- - Save the simple statistical fact that pre-sedated Mike won any of his few decisions wide on the cards that were also wide at the time of his KOs.

Johnson wouldn't survive me much less Tyson.

[The Old LefHook]

He's right about one thing--Johnson might not survive him--without ear muffs.

[tokon]

Vitali and Lennox both would knock that glass hearted, no stamina having midget out

As well as Ali, Foreman, Frazier and Liston, none of who Tyson would have been able to intimidate into defeat.

[Anthony342]

As well as Ali, Foreman, Frazier and Liston, none of who Tyson would have been able to intimidate into defeat.

I agree with those and Holyfield as well. Would've been a more exciting fight than the one we got in 96. With Kevin Rooney in Tyson's corner, it would've probably started off somewhat strategic and then turned into a slugfest by round 2 for Holy.

[billeau2]

Mike at his best was top ten... When someone is not neutralized they look great. Go watch Arnold as the terminator, and he looks unbeatable. But boxing pundits, some boxing pundits, told us Mike would lose when facing a jabber with reach. Douglas showed it was easy when done right.

Mike was fun to watch as he went through 80's guys with soft chins and guts... And yeah they had skills, but no real fitness and Mike would inevitably catch them, like what he did to an older Holmes.