Tough opponents Tyson never faced

[BKM-]

The thread title makes it sound like Tyson never faced a tough opponent. I guess that would be true, early in is career. He at least finally got to face Holyfield in the mid to late '90s and Lennox Lewis when he was shot.

Ruddock was a tough opponent, Tucker as well. He had some solid opponents but it could have been way tougher for him if he faced any of the guys I mentioned.

[Anthony342]

Ruddock was a tough opponent, Tucker as well. He had some solid opponents but it could have been way touger for him if he faced any of the guys I mentioned.

Yeah, they were good opponents, but not elite level tough, like Joe Frazier was for Ali. Those guys weren't around when Tyson was prime in the '80s. The tougher opponents were there in the '90s, post prison and Tyson wasn't the same after that. Even at that point, he probably only loses to Foreman, possibly Ike as well, if he catches Tyson early, as Ike only has one later stoppage in his career.

[DreamFighter]

better not be claiming he didht face tough guys. You dont become undisputed by not (he didnt fight for vacant belts)

[TBear]

DK wanted no part of Tim against Tyson.
He could have spoiled the party.
So he had Tim take a dive against Bonecrusher.

I doubt Tim took a dive against Bonecrusher. He was originally scheduled to fight Tony Tubbs and Tubbs pulled out so King forced him to take on previous victim Smith. When Tubbs pulled out Witherspoon got off his training routine (this explains the positive test for marijuana in the Smith loss.) King threatened him to fight Bonecrusher and Witherspoon sued him over this later. The lawsuit resulted in Witherspoon being blacklisted by King who for some time controlled the heavyweight division.
Anyways a fighter would definitely train differently for a boxer like Tubbs as he would for a puncher like James Bonecrusher Smith.

[raione]

Vitali Klitschko, David Tua

[GhostofDempsey]

Tyrell Biggs was an Olympic Gold medalist and defeated Lewis in the amateurs. Big HW at 6'5". Tyson made short work of him and I don't believe Biggs was ever the same fighter again. He was certainly as good as Bowe at that juncture of his career. By the time he fought Bowe he had three KO losses and was only behind by one point on the cards when the fight was stopped in the eight.

[abracada]

Looking back now there were some very tough matchups for Tyson that we never got to see. I don't think he ducked them per se except maybe one of them(lumberjack George).

Oliver McCall
Ray Mercer
David Tua
Ike Ibeabuchi
George Foreman

These were all possible at one point. All iron chinned punchers with heart(maybe not headcase Oliver) who could take it to him.. I think I forget some too. Mike would hate to fight any of them.

How do you see these fights going? Keep the years in mind for the 25 Tyson versions.

Toughest opponent he has ever faced: HIMSELF

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Tim Witherspoon
Micheal dokes
Rid**** bowe
Ray Mercer
Tommy Morrison
Michael moorer
George foreman
Oliver mccall
Tua
Ibeabuchi
Chris Byrd
Roy Jones
James Toney
Hasim Rahman
Wladimer klitchko
Vitali klitchko

[tonysoprano]

Tim Witherspoon
Micheal dokes
Rid**** bowe
Ray Mercer
Tommy Morrison
Michael moorer
George foreman
Oliver mccall
Tua
Ibeabuchi
Chris Byrd
Roy Jones
James Toney
Hasim Rahman
Wladimer klitchko
Vitali klitchko

Tyson of 87/88 beats everyone on that list. Some of them very quickly.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Tyson of 87/88 beats everyone on that list. Some of them very quickly.

If you say so