Lennox Lewis stated that Mike Tyson would have never been able to beat him. Agree?

[Pugilist King]

50-50

Tyson had trouble with big guys, people seem to forget the Tucker, Green, Smith....he was in some stinkers.

Tyson could KO1 Lewis, could very much happen. Lewis was kinda chinny. Lewis could outbox/clinch Tyson to UD12.

Toss up....I'd have to see if Tyson could intimate Lewis at the weigh in.

trouble? he beat them all decisively. tucker and smith amounted no offense or danger in those fights

green was his first 10 rounder and tyson admitted to playing it cool. green also amounted no offense in that fight

[edgarg]

A couple months ago, Lennox Lewis stated in a interview that "Tyson at his absolute best could never have beaten me. I have too much size and strength over him"

He also went on to state "outside of a lucky punch, he has no chance. I had his number when we used to spar, when I fought him in 2002 and would have his number any other year"


What do you make of this?

Typical Lewis self promotion-he never stops. No matter what boxer is being discussed, especially when he was "commentating" he always brought himself into it.

Tyson, at his best was a man-killer and would have treated Lewis the same way he treated everyone else. Tyson fought mainly fighters far bigger than himself, and his style was especially designed by Cus D'Amato for this. He would have got rid of Lewis before he got into the rhythm of things. That was Tyson's schtik. Lewis could only have survived if he could fall in close and wrap his arms around Tyson like Bonecrusher Smith did. But for that, you need a good chin....... You obviously don't remember that Tyson was like a lumberjack's saw, and no respecter of oppo ents. After his crushing loss and subsequent prison experience he degraded further until he had to get a grip. He always thought little of himelf after that.

And, another thing....Tyson didn't ever win by a lucky punch; every punch was intended to go exactly where it did. Of course the opponent could avoid some punches, but Tyson never won by a lucky punch. Just more of Lewis's self-promo. He knows that the new Tyson would never dispute this and would self-depreciate all the way... I even think that Tyson has been through so much, that his former life must seem like a very hazy dream to him, and unreal.

[beez721]

Holy was not in jail for almost 4 years. 3 and a 1/2 years out of the ring took all of Mike's skill. Mike was just trying to generate money after jail. Jail robbed his skills, people robbed his wallet.

I never said tyson wasnt past it when holy beat him. holy was also past it tho and I just think he had the style to beat any version of tyson. holy had a good chin and was great at rolling with the punches etc

[ADP02]

Yes.... That is a very impressive accomplishment. And in 4 rounds!

Even more impressive how Holmes took 3 years off after that KO and went on to destroy so many fighters during the entire 90's.

Holmes was 38 years old and was inactive prior to fighting Tyson. He had a layoff of nearly 2 years!

[beez721]

Prime Holyfield would have given Tyson a tougher time than prime Lewis...but prime Lewis murders prime Holyfield and prime Tyson destroys prime Lewis.

Holyfield is faster than Tyson and has no fear. He negates Tyson's punches by punching with him...and beating him to the punch! Lewis's power was just too much for Holyfield and Holyfield's punches did not bother Lewis. Tyson's punches would bother Lewis and he'd never be able to get his long punches off.

I agree with your first sentence but disagree on prime lewis beating prime holy. lewis had big trouble with holy in there second fight and holy was shot to **** at that point

[SweetScience]

trouble? he beat them all decisively. tucker and smith amounted no offense or danger in those fights

green was his first 10 rounder and tyson admitted to playing it cool. green also amounted no offense in that fight

Mike didn't destroy, you could stunt his offense with clinching. Lewis is a big man, could very much beat him.

50-50

[BennyST]

Both could win. They both have what it takes to beat the other and both of their flaws get way too much attention.

Apart from those two huge shots, both from certified one punch KO artists, Lewis never went down from memory. Not once was he knocked down or even really wobbled badly apart from those two monster shots. People see his awkward movement, a bit similar to Wlad and Vitali as him getting rattled when it's just a big guy.

Tyson was the same. His stamina was fine as was his heart. It would be a very close fight that I'd favour Lewis in over the distance and Tyson early.

[JoeKidd]

I agree with your first sentence but disagree on prime lewis beating prime holy. lewis had big trouble with holy in there second fight and holy was shot to **** at that point

He has problems with Holyfield when he tries to box with Holyfield. Was a lot more successful taking the bulldozer approach.

[edgarg]

I think prime tyson would have caught lewis early. the tyson lewis fought was shot to bits. he couldnt even put a combo together in that fight

I agree. Tyson's head movement was astounding in a heavyweight boxer/ It was almost impossible to hit him and certainly not clean. This is something that nobody seems to understand. he was specially trained to fight the BIG guys who were either too slow or coudn't hit him before Tyson got to their chins. And he was a massive body puncher, actually an "everywhere" puncher. He had a special right to the body and immediate switch to the head which was fantastic. And like lightning.mI've never seen it done nearly as well by anyone, even lighter weights.

[JoeKidd]

Holmes was 38 years old and was inactive prior to fighting Tyson. He had a layoff of nearly 2 years!

Holmes was a sacrifice. But prime Holmes' jab would not have kept Tyson off. Even Ali would have had problems with Tyson. Prime Foreman I favour over prime Tyson.