1988 version of Mike Tyson vs 1997 David Tua / 1997-1999 Ibeabuchi / 1992 Bowe

[apollo creed]

Many people would've liked to see how a young Mike Tyson would've dealt with a prime Lennox or Holyfield but what about with these underachievers at their peak like Tua, Ibeabuchi or Bowe? I think a young Tyson would've had trouble against them.

[DrDuke]

Young Tyson would handle both Tua and Ibeabuchi confidently. Not by stoppage, but by clear decisions. Tyson was levels above Tua, who often got outboxed and relied only on his power. Ibeabuchi was better as a boxer, but still his Tua fight was very close, while prime Tyson was much more faster and explosive.

Bowe was a different animal. He was much better than both Tua and Ibeabuchi, he was more versatile and he was especially good inside, what is a great feature particularly against Tyson. Bowe's prime was even shorter than Mike's one, but at his best he was truly remarkable. Riddick could use his range in a proper way to outbox Tyson from the distance, he had enough toughness and durability to withstand Tyson's onslaught and counteract to it, he was a much better inside fighter than Tyson.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Young Tyson would handle both Tua and Ibeabuchi confidently. Not by stoppage, but by clear decisions. Tyson was levels above Tua, who often got outboxed and relied only on his power. Ibeabuchi was better as a boxer, but still his Tua fight was very close, while prime Tyson was much more faster and explosive.

Bowe was a different animal. He was much better than both Tua and Ibeabuchi, he was more versatile and he was especially good inside, what is a great feature particularly against Tyson. Bowe's prime was even shorter than Mike's one, but at his best he was truly remarkable. Riddick could use his range in a proper way to outbox Tyson from the distance, he had enough toughness and durability to withstand Tyson's onslaught and counteract to it, he was a much better inside fighter than Tyson.

Bowe had absolutely everything, except discipline sadly.

[DrDuke]

Bowe had absolutely everything, except discipline sadly.

Yeah, Riddick could have been even greater, if he didn't lose a will to work hard, right after he had become a champion.

[gilgamesh]

Tyson would've hammered Tua, and most likely won a lopsided decision. Tua of course is notoriously tough so I think he'd hang in there with Mike, and he'd land his shots. Maybe even wobble Mike a time or two if it's late in the bout, and he lands one of those trademark hooks. Tyson could take a shot too though, and I figure he whethers Tua's occasional big shots, and lands more of his own back, and wins a UD in a hell of a fight.

I think Tyson would beat Ibeabuchi quite comfortably. Ibeabuchi never proved to me he could hang with a fighter of this level, now he did show a good chin against Tua so it's possible he'd have been able to last the distance with Tyson, but he'd have gotten his ass kicked.

Riddick Bowe I think would've beaten Mike. He had the ability to use his height and reach, and give Mike hell with a jab and right hand from a distance...which always was trouble for Mike, and on those occasions when Mike got inside, as he surely would, Bowe would've been able to hold his own with Mike, and back him up with big uppercuts, and sh*t of his own. Bowe was always a damn good inside fighter for such a big guy.

I think Bowe would've beaten Mike. Possibly by KO around the 9th or 10th.

[Thomastearns]

I believe that version of Mike Tyson could have beaten anyone.

Except maybe a peak Ali. The 1987 Tony Tucker fight seemed to back up my opinion, although many disagreed.

They argued that he was a one man wrecking crew, a primed missile set on seek and destroy by one of the great trainers, Cus D'Amato.

At times, even as an Ali fan I began to wonder whether they might not be right. Tyson was not only tremendously powerful, he was blindingly quick. With both hands.

But that was all before his disastrous marriage to Robin Givens, and the equally disastrous split from Kevin Rooney.

Increasingly surrounded by vultures and parasites the missile then began to misfire, short circuit and spectacularly implode.

The rest is forever boxing history.

[apollo creed]

Tua and Ike were very strong mofos with tough chins. Also Ike beat a an undefeated Chris Byrd.

[Jaywheel]

Bowe had absolutely everything, except discipline sadly.

Yeah, Riddick could have been even greater, if he didn't lose a will to work hard, right after he had become a champion.

Nah he lacked big time in the defense department. Holyfield and Golota connected a lot against him. I mean almost at will. Which is a recipe for disaster against 88 Tyson. I'm always on the fence with this matchup, Bowe brings everything offensively to dismantle Tyson. He would eat him alive inside. But how long can he last eating lefts and rights from a fast and powerful Tyson? He will connect. I think Tyson would win more than he'd lose. I don't know that Bowe has the solution to negate the mid-range attacks from Tyson.

[Cent0089]

that last left hook from Tua in Ruiz fight Wondering why no similar beasts from Samoa are around in boxing today

[gilgamesh]

that last left hook from Tua in Ruiz fight Wondering why no similar beasts from Samoa are around in boxing today

There was Mark Hunt in Kickboxing and MMA who was similarly tough as nails, but yeah it doesn't seem nearly enough of those guys pursue careers as fighters.

They're often a little thick so maybe their stamina ain't the best, but they're usually hard as a rock.

[gregregegg]

that last left hook from Tua in Ruiz fight Wondering why no similar beasts from Samoa are around in boxing today

There was Mark Hunt in Kickboxing and MMA who was similarly tough as nails, but yeah it doesn't seem nearly enough of those guys pursue careers as fighters.

They're often a little thick so maybe their stamina ain't the best, but they're usually hard as a rock.

I think big tough Pacific islanders that like sport tend to go into rugby. but for boxing A lot of better islanders (weather born there or just heritage) represent Aus or NZ.

Paker - samoan heritage, reps NZ
Fa -tongan heritage, Reps NZ
Alex Leapai -samoan, Reps Aus
Faiga Opelu -samoan, Reps Aus
Bowie Tupou- tongan, Reps Aus

[jas80s]

I actually do some work covering college football (not D1, but rather lower levels) and I have to say based on some of the rosters I have seen, these guys really gravitate toward football as well.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I believe that version of Mike Tyson could have beaten anyone.

Except maybe a peak Ali. The 1987 Tony Tucker fight seemed to back up my opinion, although many disagreed.

They argued that he was a one man wrecking crew, a primed missile set on seek and destroy by one of the great trainers, Cus D'Amato.

At times, even as an Ali fan I began to wonder whether they might not be right. Tyson was not only tremendously powerful, he was blindingly quick. With both hands.

But that was all before his disastrous marriage to Robin Givens, and the equally disastrous split from Kevin Rooney.

Increasingly surrounded by vultures and parasites the missile then began to misfire, short circuit and spectacularly implode.

The rest is forever boxing history.

I'll say this much, I think a peak Tyson may well have floored Ali in the early rounds, but I don't think he could have put him away. Ali was just such a survivor, and had great ring intelligence, you'd have to wonder what the pre fight talk would have done to Mike too, Mike had such a brittle sense of self.

[Onetimeonly]

Young Tyson would handle both Tua and Ibeabuchi confidently. Not by stoppage, but by clear decisions. Tyson was levels above Tua, who often got outboxed and relied only on his power. Ibeabuchi was better as a boxer, but still his Tua fight was very close, while prime Tyson was much more faster and explosive.

Bowe was a different animal. He was much better than both Tua and Ibeabuchi, he was more versatile and he was especially good inside, what is a great feature particularly against Tyson. Bowe's prime was even shorter than Mike's one, but at his best he was truly remarkable. Riddick could use his range in a proper way to outbox Tyson from the distance, he had enough toughness and durability to withstand Tyson's onslaught and counteract to it, he was a much better inside fighter than Tyson.

[Winter king]

If Tua had just a tiny more complexity he would have been a champion in my opinion. At least 2-3 shot combos instead of single big punches, more focus on those killer body punches and cutting off the ring should have been a way way bigger focues of his trainers.

[apollo creed]

Bowe beat the man at that time in Holyfield who beat Douglas, Foreman, Cooper and Holmes. I'd have 1992 Bowe to beat 1988 Tyson.

[apollo creed]

If Tua had just a tiny more complexity he would have been a champion in my opinion. At least 2-3 shot combos instead of single big punches, more focus on those killer body punches and cutting off the ring should have been a way way bigger focues of his trainers.

Yup. Tua was very durable with an adamantium chin. It would've been interesting to see how a young Tyson would've done against a very durable guy like Tua.

[apollo creed]

Ike put a great performance vs Byrd.

Mike vs Ike would've been a brutal fight.

[Enlightened-One]

I assume the lack of live boxing has resulted in the “current scene” board discussing the sports’ history more than the “history” board actually does?

Oh well, I guess there’s nothing much else to discuss at the moment.

[Verdi]

If Tua had just a tiny more complexity he would have been a champion in my opinion. At least 2-3 shot combos instead of single big punches, more focus on those killer body punches and cutting off the ring should have been a way way bigger focues of his trainers.

Yup. Tua was very durable with an adamantium chin. It would've been interesting to see how a young Tyson would've done against a very durable guy like Tua.

Probably a similar result to when he fought another durable guy in Mitch Green.

[Thomastearns]

I believe that version of Mike Tyson could have beaten anyone.

Except maybe a peak Ali. The 1987 Tony Tucker fight seemed to back up my opinion, although many disagreed.

They argued that he was a one man wrecking crew, a primed missile set on seek and destroy by one of the great trainers, Cus D'Amato.

At times, even as an Ali fan I began to wonder whether they might not be right. Tyson was not only tremendously powerful, he was blindingly quick. With both hands.

But that was all before his disastrous marriage to Robin Givens, and the equally disastrous split from Kevin Rooney.

Increasingly surrounded by vultures and parasites the missile then began to misfire, short circuit and spectacularly implode.

The rest is forever boxing history.

I'll say this much, I think a peak Tyson may well have floored Ali in the early rounds, but I don't think he could have put him away. Ali was just such a survivor, and had great ring intelligence, you'd have to wonder what the pre fight talk would have done to Mike too, Mike had such a brittle sense of self.

I agree. If Mike was to do anything he'd need to do it early - and he was a terrific starter.

I still think Ali must do better than Tony Tucker, and probably enough to get the decision.

Standing with Tyson back then was hopeless, as we saw when poor Marvis Frazier walked into a human whirlwind.

Tyson's mindset back then was impregnable. Before the marriage issues, loss of friendly support, the rape allegation, prison time, and serious cocaine misuse, Mike Tyson was purely seek and destroy.

[Onetimeonly]

Of all Mike's fans excuses, givens is the silliest. I've never worked out harder than when going through issues with a woman, you walk around begging to fight. Has anyone here had a rougher time focusing through a bad marriage than the death of their mother?

[Jaywheel]

This is personal to each I would say. Resilience and the relation one had with each would certainly justify it sometimes.