Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

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Caractacus
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Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by Caractacus »

It was suppose to happen, but Witherspoon had to pull out.
Tyson fought late replacment Tony Tubbs instead.
How would it have gone ?
gilgamesh
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by gilgamesh »

Tyson would've knocked Witherspoon out In a one sided beat down within 5 rounds I think.
Caractacus
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by Caractacus »

yeah, but Witherspoon had the "Philly style".
wouldn't Tyson have had trouble with that with his own 'peek-a-boo style ?
gilgamesh
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by gilgamesh »

Caractacus wrote: 27 Jun 2026, 12:25 yeah, but Witherspoon had the "Philly style".
wouldn't Tyson have had trouble with that with his own 'peek-a-boo style ?
I wouldn't look for Witherspoon to give him much trouble.
Nile4000
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by Nile4000 »

Tim had a very strong chin at his best, and I don't think Mike is going to dent it. However, I could see Mike winning a strong UD, possibly late stoppage if a Bonecrusher ll scenario is in place.
Riddick Bowie
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by Riddick Bowie »

If you mean some dream version of Witherspoon who can magically replicate his inspired Holmes performance then he could do well enough to drop a decision Tucker style.

The real world late 80s head case Witherspoon gets blown away like his pals Tubbs and Thomas.
Nile4000
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by Nile4000 »

Very True.
Caractacus
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by Caractacus »

what if Witherspoon had fought Tyson earlier just after he won one of 'em (titles)?
after the Tony Tubbs fight in January 1986 ?
Nile4000
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by Nile4000 »

Caractacus wrote: 02 Jul 2026, 11:40 what if Witherspoon had fought Tyson earlier just after he won one of 'em (titles)?
after the Tony Tubbs fight in January 1986 ?
Tyson would win a strong UD.
gilgamesh
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by gilgamesh »

Nile4000 wrote: 05 Jul 2026, 19:29
Caractacus wrote: 02 Jul 2026, 11:40 what if Witherspoon had fought Tyson earlier just after he won one of 'em (titles)?
after the Tony Tubbs fight in January 1986 ?
Tyson would win a strong UD.
A knockout isn't out of the question either. Remember more than 1 Mike Tyson victim defeated Tim Witherspoon. It's easy to believe Mike could do worse.
Nile4000
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by Nile4000 »

gilgamesh wrote: 05 Jul 2026, 19:58
Nile4000 wrote: 05 Jul 2026, 19:29
Caractacus wrote: 02 Jul 2026, 11:40 what if Witherspoon had fought Tyson earlier just after he won one of 'em (titles)?
after the Tony Tubbs fight in January 1986 ?
Tyson would win a strong UD.
A knockout isn't out of the question either. Remember more than 1 Mike Tyson victim defeated Tim Witherspoon. It's easy to believe Mike could do worse.
Good point.
wouter
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by wouter »

Caractacus wrote: 26 Jun 2026, 16:34 It was suppose to happen, but Witherspoon had to pull out.
Tyson fought late replacment Tony Tubbs instead.
How would it have gone ?
Tubbs was not a replacement for Witherspoon.
Caractacus
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by Caractacus »

wouter wrote: 06 Jul 2026, 10:52
Caractacus wrote: 26 Jun 2026, 16:34 It was suppose to happen, but Witherspoon had to pull out.
Tyson fought late replacment Tony Tubbs instead.
How would it have gone ?
Tubbs was not a replacement for Witherspoon.
Well that's what I had read in a book dude,
so it must be true.
of course there is the possibility that Tony Tubbs was wrong
when he had stated that he had been a "late replacement for Tim Witherspoon"
or had just mis-remembered which fight it was and your the one whom is actually correct.
Ezzard
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by Ezzard »

I was a big fan of Tyson back then. Witherspoon was the guy I was most worried about him fighting. If Tim had been on his game it would have been a great fight. But that's the big issue. Would he have been motivated?

Likely Mike wins.
Caractacus
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by Caractacus »

when was the Tubbs vrs Tyson bout announced ?
One would have had at least 6 weeks to prepare.
Tyson and Tubbs began training for it around February 17th.
(the fight was March-21-1988 in Tokyo.)
keithmoonhangover
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Re: Mike Tyson vrs Tim Witherspoon (1988)

Post by keithmoonhangover »

Caractacus wrote: 26 Jun 2026, 16:34 It was suppose to happen, but Witherspoon had to pull out.
Tyson fought late replacment Tony Tubbs instead.
How would it have gone ?
Tyson would run Tim over and win via three knockdown rule in the first or second round.
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