BoxRec

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've knocked Witherspoon out In a one sided beat down within 5 rounds I think.

yeah, but Witherspoon had the "Philly style".
wouldn't Tyson have had trouble with that with his own 'peek-a-boo style ?

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.

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.

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.

Very True.

what if Witherspoon had fought Tyson earlier just after he won one of 'em (titles)?
after the Tony Tubbs fight in January 1986 ?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.