Lewis v Tyson

[Stuarty]

They obviously never fought til late in both guys career despite being around at the same time for years. Were they ever close to fighting earlier in their careers? How do you think it would've went had it happened earlier?

[Ossyrules]

My recollection is they were some way off fighting anywhere near mikes prime, or even mike pre jail.

I guess Lennox kinda made a big statement at the top around the time of razor ruddock, but there's only a short window around then to get a fight done.

After jail it still took a while but Tyson weren't without his problems slowing things down.

People will use the Douglas example as a reason to support Lennox Lewis winning. Douglas fought an inspired fight and was in great shape. It's a shame he completely jacked against Holyfield but I guess the Tyson scalp was more to get him fired up and motivated.

Anyway if they fought around mikes peak Lennox is still a rookie at domestic level, so he gets beaten pretty badly, very badly.

If they fought 90/91 then Lennox chances improve but I'd still go Tyson. Lennox was quite open defensively early in his career and he still wasnt an established top class fighter at this point. Tysons still got enough at this point to put him away.

Any time after the jail sentence Lewis is favourite and as the years go on this increases till they fought

[banjo]

Lennox didn't turn pro until 1989 which is considered the end of Iron Mikes prime, later on Tyson eventually lost the WBC belt because he wouldn't fight Lennox but the fight he was avoiding him for was Holyfield which was bigger.

[Taansend]

I always like Lennox. Went to his first pro fight & his last pro fight, I am proud to say.

But in the Tyson fight he made my life so much easier.

I was working on cruise ships & was invited to dinner at the captains table with my boss, the Casino Manager (who was also my best mate). We got to talking about the fight & I said Tyson would start fast but Lewis would wear him down & stop him around the 8th.

Then I forgot all about it.

I had to go to another ship for two weeks as they were having a high roller cruise from some Atlantic City casino & wanted me to look after them. When I got back on my ship the week after the fight the Captain was there waiting for me on the gangplank. Apparently he'd placed a hefty bet on Lewis in the 8th. The rest of my contract was plain sailing, if you pardon the pun

[Impractical Poster]

I always like Lennox. Went to his first pro fight & his last pro fight, I am proud to say.

But in the Tyson fight he made my life so much easier.

I was working on cruise ships & was invited to dinner at the captains table with my boss, the Casino Manager (who was also my best mate). We got to talking about the fight & I said Tyson would start fast but Lewis would wear him down & stop him around the 8th.

Then I forgot all about it.

I had to go to another ship for two weeks as they were having a high roller cruise from some Atlantic City casino & wanted me to look after them. When I got back on my ship the week after the fight the Captain was there waiting for me on the gangplank. Apparently he'd placed a hefty bet on Lewis in the 8th. The rest of my contract was plain sailing, if you pardon the pun

Sweet!

[TheLeprechaun]

The first round of Tyson Lewis was rough for Lewis. He had to do a lot of holding and almost took a vintage left hook from Tyson. I think Eddie Cotton was on his case within the first 90 seconds for his excessive holding. Tyson was probably 20% of prime Tyson in that round. So That round makes it difficult to pick Lewis over a prime version of Tyson for me.

[ElJefe]

If Tyson had been free and active between '92 and '95, I think he'd have beaten Lewis in those years. If it happened in '96 onwards after Lewis had been with Steward for a year or two, I'd go with Lewis.

[Nightmare Roy]

A 20-22 year old Tyson would beat ANY HW ever IMO.

[Grilling Machine]

Lewis was still pretty open when he fought Briggs, and Tyson was certainly better than The Cannon, albeit not in '98.

I'd back Tyson before he met Holyfield and Lewis thereafter (if fit and focused, but then he would've been). Holyfield took the edge off of Tyson's intimidation.

[Syntax Error]

The only time this fight could have happened on a realistic basis was in '96, but Team Tyson didn't want it, because taking trinkets off terrified children & beating up 'washed-up' old thorn in the side, Evander Holyfield were far more lucrative options than squaring off against a focused & dangerous Lennox Lewis for relative chump change.

If the fight had happened then, I think it would have been largely similar to their 2002 fight, albeit with Lennox not carrying a shot Tyson out of misguided fear, but being cautious because Mike was still relatively dangerous in '96.

Once the fight got past half way, Tyson would have got tired & Lewis would take over, step up & stop him in about 9 or 10.

[handsofstone]

By the time the fight actually happened I was fed up with Tyson's capers and was rooting for Lewis, I loved seeing Mike getting a beaten before finally getting finished but as soon as he gave that post fight interview in the ring I felt a bit sorry on him, ive always thought that Tyson was primed before he even met Berbick let alone Lewis, he got by with his immense speed, power and talent but it only got him so far and something had to give

I would have to guess a prime Tyson would catch Lewis with his chin in the air at some point, Lennox would be trying to grab hold etc but Tyson would have the energy to wrestle free and get his shots off

[forcefraser]

Prime Tyson struggled with Mitch Blood Green. A prime Lewis beats prime Tyson all day long.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

A 20-22 year old Tyson would beat ANY HW ever IMO.

Not holyfield, no chance.

[tobyh5]

The first round of Tyson Lewis was rough for Lewis. He had to do a lot of holding and almost took a vintage left hook from Tyson. I think Eddie Cotton was on his case within the first 90 seconds for his excessive holding. Tyson was probably 20% of prime Tyson in that round. So That round makes it difficult to pick Lewis over a prime version of Tyson for me.

Lewis started a potential 12 round fight. Tyson started a three round fight as he knew he had nothing else. That is why it was like that and does not at all make it difficult to pick Lewis

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Lewis was borderline frightened. At a minimum he was extremely anxious.

[tobyh5]

Lewis was borderline frightened. At a minimum he was extremely anxious.

Bollox. Tyson was completely intimidated by Lewis. There is a beauty story about them in a restaurant a couple years earlier when Tyson was staring across at Lewis, who went over and offered him outside. A few other ones of Tyson cowering away from Lewis in a few situations. Totally intimidated which is why he tried that bs at the first press conference

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Lewis was borderline frightened. At a minimum he was extremely anxious.

Bollox. Tyson was completely intimidated by Lewis. There is a beauty story about them in a restaurant a couple years earlier when Tyson was staring across at Lewis, who went over and offered him outside. A few other ones of Tyson cowering away from Lewis in a few situations. Totally intimidated which is why he tried that bs at the first press conference

Nah, Lennox was holding for dear life, you could see his anxiety clear as day during the ring walk. Finally in the second round after another stern warning for holding he realized he had nothing to fear and kicked his ass. You're delusional as hell if you think Mike was the one looking intimidated in the ring walk and opening moments.

[Covfefe]

Lewis was borderline frightened. At a minimum he was extremely anxious.

Bollox. Tyson was completely intimidated by Lewis. There is a beauty story about them in a restaurant a couple years earlier when Tyson was staring across at Lewis, who went over and offered him outside. A few other ones of Tyson cowering away from Lewis in a few situations. Totally intimidated which is why he tried that bs at the first press conference

Nah, Lennox was holding for dear life, you could see his anxiety clear as day during the ring walk. Finally in the second round after another stern warning for holding he realized he had nothing to fear and kicked his ass. You're delusional as hell if you think Mike was the one looking intimidated in the ring walk and opening moments.

You don't look at that first press conference and see a terrified man in Tyson?

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Bollox. Tyson was completely intimidated by Lewis. There is a beauty story about them in a restaurant a couple years earlier when Tyson was staring across at Lewis, who went over and offered him outside. A few other ones of Tyson cowering away from Lewis in a few situations. Totally intimidated which is why he tried that bs at the first press conference

Nah, Lennox was holding for dear life, you could see his anxiety clear as day during the ring walk. Finally in the second round after another stern warning for holding he realized he had nothing to fear and kicked his ass. You're delusional as hell if you think Mike was the one looking intimidated in the ring walk and opening moments.

You don't look at that first press conference and see a terrified man in Tyson?

I'm talking about the actual fight. It was clear as day. I was anxious too because I had money on Lennox. Mike may have been horrified inside, he didn't show it. Lewis did. It should go without saying there are different emotions running for the ring walk and round one than at a press conference.

[TheLeprechaun]

Lewis was borderline frightened. At a minimum he was extremely anxious.

Bollox. Tyson was completely intimidated by Lewis. There is a beauty story about them in a restaurant a couple years earlier when Tyson was staring across at Lewis, who went over and offered him outside. A few other ones of Tyson cowering away from Lewis in a few situations. Totally intimidated which is why he tried that bs at the first press conference

Nah, Lennox was holding for dear life, you could see his anxiety clear as day during the ring walk. Finally in the second round after another stern warning for holding he realized he had nothing to fear and kicked his ass. You're delusional as hell if you think Mike was the one looking intimidated in the ring walk and opening moments.

When you watch it back you really see how poor Tyson was. The first thing Steward said after the first round when Lewis sat down "This man really isn't much of a fighter, you see how bad he looks you'll be surprised". Tyson won that first round for me and that was 20% of him at his prime. He could do that for 12 rounds in his prime and be at least 400% better than he was in that round. I'm not saying Lewis wouldn't have won but I certainly wouldn't have a penny on him.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I agree, Lewis was the better and more accomplished fighter but if he came in with that mentality against a prime Tyson he could get starched or lose a clutching affair over 12. He also could beat him down. Very tough one to call where as I'm 100% confident in holyfield beating prime Mike and damn close to that with bowe.

[Ossyrules]

I go against the grain and give prime mike a shot vs holy. Holys warrior spirit could win him the fight if he can withstand the barrage, but the guy I'd be most confident of beating prime mike is foreman

[TheGman]

Lewis didnt reach his prime till probably arounf the tommy morrison fight,although he was still good,imo from about 1992 just abit wreckless. For me two fights with two different fighters have me 50/50 on how Lewis would of done with tyson and to be honest one hapoened about 96/97 the other happened about 02/03 first ray mercer gave lewis a hard night and i had mercer winning that fight the other was tua were lewis dominated,mercer and tua are similar to mike tyson in the way they are short come forward and love to throw hooks,lewis would of had to be on his game to beat a prime mike tyson,he wouldnt of been able to keep young mike off him

[boxingknockout]

Lennox didn't turn pro until 1989 which is considered the end of Iron Mikes prime, later on Tyson eventually lost the WBC belt because he wouldn't fight Lennox but the fight he was avoiding him for was Holyfield which was bigger.

I think you mean Bowe lost the WBC belt?

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I go against the grain and give prime mike a shot vs holy. Holys warrior spirit could win him the fight if he can withstand the barrage, but the guy I'd be most confident of beating prime mike is foreman

I'd be very confident in George, Ali, Liston, & Frazier. Just couldn't put a hypothetical over what I've seen. I think Mike would be more competitive in his prime but the real barrage would be evanders combinations in their primes.