Mike Tyson vs Hasim Rahman ~ 2001

[gilgamesh]

This was the plan for Don King and Hasim Rahman rather than have an immediate rematch with Lennox Lewis, but Lewis had the rematch clause and forced the rematch in court and we all know the rest, but in a what if scenario....what if Rahman would've been allowed to go forth with his title match with Mike Tyson in 2002. How do you guys think it would've played out?

[elmersalsa]

The great Mike Tyson would have made history by being heavyweight champion for the third time. Tyson ain't losing to bums like Hasim Rahman, even being he washed up.

I just can't see an scenario how would Rahman wins this fight.

[Kalan]

Tyson didn't deserve a title shot... Lewis was certain to regain the title and deal with Tyson... A fight which Tyson had been avoiding for many years.

[Keko]

I just can't see an scenario how would Rahman wins this fight.

I agree

[Boxing Writer]

Tyson would destroy Rahman prime for prime but in 2002 Mike was totally shot. I think Rahman would stop him late. Yes, I know 40-years-old Holyfield kicked Rahman's ass in 2002, but Holyfield had more left in him at that time even though he was 4 years older than Tyson.

[Syntax Error]

Rahman wasn't great, but he was quite dangerous & Tyson was more shot than an archery target in 2002.

Tyson simply did not have enough left at that stage to beat an opponent of any note.

Rahman would have stopped him.

[gilgamesh]

I figure it would've played out similar to the Danny Williams fight. With Tyson rocking Rahman early, and causing a lot of excitement but I figure Rahman would've hung around long enough to have come back and stopped Mike late or possibly nicked a close decision.

It would've been very interesting. Badly faded Mike Tyson vs Hasim Rahman who just never was that great in the first place.

By the way I had the date wrong really. I figure if this fight would've went down it would've been late 2001. I got it mixed up a bit.

Tyson I don't think was completely shot by this time in his career, he just didn't have that extra gear he once had. He was definitely a frontrunner at this stage of his career.

[Kalan]

I favor Tyson in this matchup because Rahman did poorly with punchers...

China chinned Oleg Maskaev flattened Rahman twice.. David Tua got to a prime Rahman.. I figured Lewis would KO Rock in the rematch, no problem.. You're going to throw your career punch at some point. Lewis's chin was in the way when Rahman threw his. McCall hit Lewis with a great shot too, but he threw a even better punch at Akinwande. The Atomic Bull couldn't box, but he could throw. His face lit up. When you land the perfect shot it's one of the most satisfying feelings in Sports. Like hitting a hole-in-one or sending a baseball soaring out of the stadium like a rocket -- with 60,000 people watching, knowing that's the best you ever hit the thing.

If Rahman landed a shot like that, Tyson would be out -- any other scenario Tyson wins... I say that because John Ruiz beat Rahman -- a guy who barely beat punching bag Andrew Golota beats Rahman??? Tyson destroyed Golota quickly and efficiently.. Rahman's best win other than Lewis was Corrie Sanders. Rock was hurt bad in that fight too. It was a 50/50 affair like striking out or hitting a home run. Ted Williams didn't strike out -- and a master boxer doesn't get knocked out.. Most Heavyweights take chances to get the KO.. Rahman certainly did struck pay-dirt a couple times..

Mike Tyson didn't gamble.. Cus D'Amato always said, "Are you going to flip a coin on whether you win or lose??? Let the other guy take chances and get knocked out. Be patient. Some guys you have to beat on points. They won't give you the KO. Don't take a big risk to get a smart fighter." You had outbox Mike, out-strength him, and beat him down.. That's the only way you beat him and Rahman was very unlikely to do that..