How do you think the fight would have gone if Witherspoon and Douglas could have met each other in their respective primes, in shape and motivated to win? Could the Witherspoon who gave a peak Larry Holmes hell have beaten the Douglas who beat Mike Tyson?
While I rate Witherspoon a much better fighter than Douglas overall, if we're talking the Douglas that KO'd Tyson vs the Witherspoon who LOST to Holmes (I thought Holmes clearly won) than it's no contest. Douglas would dictate the pace from the opening bell, and while Witherspoon would show him alot more movement than Tyson did, and would be harder to hit, Douglas would still land his jab and right hand to control the bout. In the second half of the bout, Witherspoon would have two choices. Either adapt a safety first strategy and lose a decision by about 117-111, or stand and trade with Buster and get knocked out by something similar to that three punch combination that floored Iron Mike for the count.
Now if we take a prime Witherspoon 84, 85 and part of 86. than I think he probably stops Buster late.
Witherspoon UD. Douglas was perfect for Mike. But I see this fight playing differently based on styles. Witherspoon had a little more skill and a better right hand. The real question would be how fat and unmotivated the winner would be in his next fight.
I think Witherspoon was a way better fighter BUT, Kojoe asked if the Douglas who beat Tyson would beat the Witherspoon who dropped an SD to Holmes. In that single scenario Buster Douglas wins hands down.