BoxRec

With Tyson unifying WBC and WBA belts in 1996 during his post-prison comeback trail, Michael Moorer (then-IBF titleholder) remained the only obstacle on the way to becoming undisputed champ for the 2nd time.

Was Tyson-Moorer fight ever discussed back then, after Tyson's disposal of Bruno and Seldon? Of course, we instead got Tyson-Holyfield I (a money fight) and Moorer-Botha fight on the undercard.

But what if we'd have gotten Tyson-Moorer unification in late 1996? Would Tyson have become a two-time undisputed HW champion?

Tyson definitely could've beaten Michael Moorer. I think he'd stop him inside 6 rounds. Moorer would do well in some rounds, but I don't think he'd be able to avoid Mike's big shots all night, and his chin wouldn't hold up when they land.

At that point Moorer was better and could outbox Tyson comfortably, but Tyson could still catch the chinny Moorer and kayo him.

Tyson by ko.

I'm with you Dr. Duke. MM would outbox Tyson behind his southpaw jabs and combinations in the early rounds, but Tyson would eat him alive with slip jabs, body punches and uppercuts, then he would put MM away with either a big left hook or right hand in 5 or 6 rounds.

I am somewhat struggling to see Moorer beat even a jail-jaded Tyson myself.
Moorer was having whole heaps of bother with Schulz (especially) and Botha that particular year.

It does not bode well for Moorer - Tyson was still bringing far more KO power and considerably way better speed than either Botha or Schulz could bring to the party - and would also make it a firefight as well.

Schulz was better than advertised but if Moorer can only get an MD against Axel - who carried relatively little threat as a banger - how does he deal with a Tyson even operating at 80 per cent?

Tyson inside 4

gilgamesh wrote: ↑05 Apr 2024, 13:52 Tyson definitely could've beaten Michael Moorer. I think he'd stop him inside 6 rounds. Moorer would do well in some rounds, but I don't think he'd be able to avoid Mike's big shots all night, and his chin wouldn't hold up when they land.

If Tyson had won against Moorer, he would have held the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, making him the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time in his career.

1639320 wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 02:59

gilgamesh wrote: ↑05 Apr 2024, 13:52 Tyson definitely could've beaten Michael Moorer. I think he'd stop him inside 6 rounds. Moorer would do well in some rounds, but I don't think he'd be able to avoid Mike's big shots all night, and his chin wouldn't hold up when they land.

If Tyson had won against Moorer, he would have held the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, making him the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time in his career.

Not in 1996. Moorer had already lost all those belts by then.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 03:15

1639320 wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 02:59

gilgamesh wrote: ↑05 Apr 2024, 13:52 Tyson definitely could've beaten Michael Moorer. I think he'd stop him inside 6 rounds. Moorer would do well in some rounds, but I don't think he'd be able to avoid Mike's big shots all night, and his chin wouldn't hold up when they land.

If Tyson had won against Moorer, he would have held the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, making him the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time in his career.

Not in 1996. Moorer had already lost all those belts by then.

He reclaimed the IBF belt in 1996 with a win over Schulz.

EdwardRevolver1993 wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 05:22

gilgamesh wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 03:15

1639320 wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 02:59
If Tyson had won against Moorer, he would have held the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, making him the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time in his career.

Not in 1996. Moorer had already lost all those belts by then.

He reclaimed the IBF belt in 1996 with a win over Schulz.

Yeah, but he wasn't Undisputed anymore after the Foreman loss.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 12:10

EdwardRevolver1993 wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 05:22

gilgamesh wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 03:15

Not in 1996. Moorer had already lost all those belts by then.

He reclaimed the IBF belt in 1996 with a win over Schulz.

Yeah, but he wasn't Undisputed anymore after the Foreman loss.

But Tyson had WBC/WBA belts. So, had him and Moorer fought in a WBC/WBA/IBF unification - the winner would've become undisputed (in a three belt era).

EdwardRevolver1993 wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 14:55

gilgamesh wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 12:10

EdwardRevolver1993 wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 05:22

He reclaimed the IBF belt in 1996 with a win over Schulz.

Yeah, but he wasn't Undisputed anymore after the Foreman loss.

But Tyson had WBC/WBA belts. So, had him and Moorer fought in a WBC/WBA/IBF unification - the winner would've become undisputed (in a three belt era).

I thought Lennox Lewis was the WBC Heavyweight Champion in 1996?

tyson is all wrong for moorer, even in 96

gilgamesh wrote: ↑14 Jun 2024, 01:19

EdwardRevolver1993 wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 14:55

gilgamesh wrote: ↑13 Jun 2024, 12:10

Yeah, but he wasn't Undisputed anymore after the Foreman loss.

But Tyson had WBC/WBA belts. So, had him and Moorer fought in a WBC/WBA/IBF unification - the winner would've become undisputed (in a three belt era).

I thought Lennox Lewis was the WBC Heavyweight Champion in 1996?

Yes, he'll be given Tyson's belt by late 1996. But I think there was a small window, when Tyson and Moorer could've fought for 3 belts.

at that point in time...it might not be quite the mauling that Tua would later deliver, but it most likely would have many similarities.