Is Rid**** Bowe's victory over prime Holyfield better than any Tyson victory?

[LeOoze]

Recently rewatched Bowe/Holyfield 1...what a classic bout. Evander one of my favorites, and even though he clearly lost this fight big time, him showing a lot of heart really puts this fight over the top for me. And with Tyson vs RJJ exhibition coming soon, I was just thinking about how great Bowe's victory was and wondering if Tyson ever did anything as great as what Bowe did that night.

Let's reflect. Holyfield would clear out the cruiserweight division and end up being the GOAT in that division. Undefeated. He moves up to heavyweight and becomes undisputed champion by defeating an overweight, unmotivated Douglas. A lot of people said Holyfield wasn't the true champ because he didn't fight Tyson. However, his victories over ancient Holmes and Foreman showed that he was actually a legit heavyweight. Still undefeated and was never knocked down in this point. He was still fairly young (30) and undefeated and Bowe clearly decisively beats him over 12 rounds.

I'll be honest, I don't think any version of Tyson could have stopped Bowe that night. I've never seen Tyson ever beat an ATG in his prime. We say Bowe was an underachiever (rightfully so), but this has to be one of the best victories a heavyweight could get, as Tyson never came close.

[Thaim]

Quite possibly so.

[PRINCEKOOL]

Mike Tyson beats Rid**** Bowe 'It would be similar to Tyson vs Ruddock'.

I don't think Tyson would have a hard time finding the target.

Bowe is going to fight the type of fight which Mike Tyson wants 'He has never fought on the back foot, tied fighters up and stuck to a astringent game-plan' which was needed to beat a peak Mike Tyson, or even a Mike Tyson from the early to mid-90's etc.

[musiol]

Both fighters lost their prime that night
Bowe got fat
Holyfield
OST a step in his feet and speed with hands

[boliodogs]

I think it is better than any Tyson win, Tyson never beat anyone as good as Holyfield and Holyfield stopped the younger Tyson twice. Tyson was a front runner and had some quit in him. He was good but overrated by many in my opinion.

[Eff Pandas]

Yea, probably.

I think you could make an argument Spinks was a bigger W, but I personally wouldn't make it.

And notably in retrospect Tyson decimated not only Spinks, but his legacy to most fans hardcore or otherwise it would seem so its a harder argument to push cuz of the result despite what Spinks did previous to the fight.

[LeOoze]

Yea, probably.

I think you could make an argument Spinks was a bigger W, but I personally wouldn't make it.

And notably in retrospect Tyson decimated not only Spinks, but his legacy to most fans hardcore or otherwise it would seem so its a harder argument to push cuz of the result despite what Spinks did previous to the fight.

It's definitely Mike's signature win. But I don't think it's a better W than Bowe's. Michael Spinks, although he proved to himself he could be a legit heavyweight, wasn't really an all time great heavyweight. Evander is easily a top 10 ATG HW so Bowe beating him while he was in his prime and undefeated makes it better in my opinion.

[Zaroku]

Tyson after prison ... or pre prison

[LeOoze]

Tyson after prison ... or pre prison

ANY tyson victory. Including pre prison.

[Zaroku]

ANY tyson victory. Including pre prison.

Before Cus D'Amato died he was a beast.. losing people close to you can have a huge impact..

I don’t know? I’m not Tyson but he got ****ed over outta the ring bad.