Mike Tyson: I couldn't beat Larry Holmes in his prime

[warp1432]

Ok, so he didn't exactly say that, but here's an interesting quote in "The Ring Flashback" section of The Ring.

"Tyson was much kinder after the bout then during it. He praised Holmes' courage and said he didn't think he could have beaten Larry during his prime.

I find this interesting because there's a video on youtube when Tyson suggests that he would have beaten Ali. I find it weird that he thinks that he would have lost to a prime Holmes and not Ali, who had a way better chin and almost as good as jab as Holmes.

[Greatwhitehope]

I've got a dvd of it, I'm fairly sure he says 'It's good to have the name on my record but Larry Holmes was a great fighter, I wouldn't have a chance in his prime.'

I'll watch it again this afternoon, but I'm fairly sure that's what he said.

[GoodBoxfella]

Ali also said Tyson would beat him in his prime.

This is also fact right? Since the fighter says it himself. Wether he means it or not doesn't matter.

[warp1432]

No, but Ali didn't say that. The video on youtube with Ali, Tyson, and Lenoard has Ali saying that Tyson wouldn't beat him, and Tyson disagreed.

[Ironside]

I agree with Tyson, Holmes had a great style to beat Tyson.

[JL FightFan]

All this is about showing respect.

I remember in Arsenio Hall show where Ali and Tyson where both guests, both stated they in one way or another, that they would beat him at their respective primes.

[Jim Jeffries]

Holmes was definitely way past his best when they fought, heavier than he'd ever been in the ring, and looked like he didn't properly train for the fight. The famous Holmes jab wasn't there, and his lateral movement wasn't either. It would be a great fight and could go either way.

[Karlos81]

Id slightly favour Holmes but a prime Tyson would give any champion of any era trouble no doubt in my mind.

[tyson]

If Holmes could keep his composure and stick to a gameplan, I see him winning.
But dude is a fighter at heart, so it's a big if...

In fantasy fights like this, we have to imagine the best possible versions of both fighters and try to imagine the gameplans to be able to predict a result.
But there is always a factor infinite and unknown, so I have stopped bothering my head with fantasy match-ups.

It's impossible to predict such a thing, and thus the only thing we can accomplish in a debate like this is to convert another man's opinion to match our own.

The best way to approach a discussion like this is to write an analysis of how you think the fight would unfold and then leave it up to each individual to make up their mind.

I can see how both men would come out victorious, so I would like to read some good analysis...

[raysan]

I think Holmes beats anyone in his prime, Holmes could do it all.