Thread: Tyson of 1988 versus Lewis of 1999

I think this is an interesting matchup. Obviously the Tyson/Lewis that we saw was a joke fight and had no particular meaning outside of the gullible and the ego of Lennox Lewis, but imagine if these two could have squared up in their seeming primes. I am not convinced I have the prime of Lewis nailed as I have never really enjoyed his fights, but it was around this time that he was racking up the wins and was seemingly on a roll.

Personally, I think the young Tyson steamrollers him and knocks him unconscious in about 3 rounds. Lewis wouldn't be able to tame the ferocity that would be coming at him and his chin would not stand up to the ferocity of Mike Tyson for too long. The grappling and holding that Lewis eventually used against Tyson would not have worked because the young Tyson would have landed 5 before the grapple became effective. Tyson was done after 1 and had forgotten how to move his head in 2002. 1988 was a different Tyson and different world.

I think Lewis would have been slaughtered in brutal fashion.

Who you got?

Lewis wins, no doubt in my mind. Tyson always had trouble with guys 6'4" and taller. Tyson looked pretty ordinary against guys like Mitch Green, Tucker, Bonecrusher Smith, and got beat up pretty bad and knocked out by Douglas.

And Lennox Lewis was always the smarter boxer with higher ring IQ. I can't find the clip now on youtube, but I remember watching some random clip that trainers saw Lewis and Tyson sparring in the early 80s as amateurs and Tyson had the edge in the early goings and then Lewis adapted and whipped him. A prime and motivated Lewis? I say he adapts and then whips Tyson, I say late round KO.

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Lewis wins, no doubt in my mind. Tyson always had trouble with guys 6'4" and taller. Tyson looked pretty ordinary against guys like Mitch Green, Tucker, Bonecrusher Smith, and got beat up pretty bad and knocked out by Douglas.

And Lennox Lewis was always the smarter boxer with higher ring IQ. I can't find the clip now on youtube, but I remember watching some random clip that trainers saw Lewis and Tyson sparring in the early 80s as amateurs and Tyson had the edge in the early goings and then Lewis adapted and whipped him. A prime and motivated Lewis? I say he adapts and then whips Tyson, I say late round KO.

A 16 year old Tyson

Same as that little incident at the 84 Olympic trials that Holyfield is so proud of. A 21 year old man, manning up to a 17 year old boy He is actually poud of that

The biggest difference betwen the Tyson of 88 and the Tyson of 02 is the elusiveness. Lewis would have had massive problems even touching him.

I agree Miles. Lewis is one of my favourite fighters of all time, but I think Tyson would've knocked him out.

What I will say about Lewis is that I never saw him outboxed or really losing in a fight -he was technically behind to Vitali, but look at Vitali's face - and the Mercer fight was close, but apart from that he was always dominant and lost only to 2 cracking punches. IF and it's a big IF imo he could've got past the onslaught he may've figured Tyson out and outboxed him to a decision.

Originally Posted by miles

I think this is an interesting matchup. Obviously the Tyson/Lewis that we saw was a joke fight and had no particular meaning outside of the gullible and the ego of Lennox Lewis, but imagine if these two could have squared up in their seeming primes. I am not convinced I have the prime of Lewis nailed as I have never really enjoyed his fights, but it was around this time that he was racking up the wins and was seemingly on a roll.

Personally, I think the young Tyson steamrollers him and knocks him unconscious in about 3 rounds. Lewis wouldn't be able to tame the ferocity that would be coming at him and his chin would not stand up to the ferocity of Mike Tyson for too long. The grappling and holding that Lewis eventually used against Tyson would not have worked because the young Tyson would have landed 5 before the grapple became effective. Tyson was done after 1 and had forgotten how to move his head in 2002. 1988 was a different Tyson and different world.

I think Lewis would have been slaughtered in brutal fashion.

Who you got?

I agree 100%, miles, Lewis's questionable chin wouldn't be able to stand up to Tyson's onslaught.

Tyson wins this fight. Even thou he did have trouble with tall guys with a good jab he was still working hard and throwing combinations in 1988. Even a prime Lewis still fought timid sometimes. Eventually Mike would crack him one in the chops.

Originally Posted by ross

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Lewis wins, no doubt in my mind. Tyson always had trouble with guys 6'4" and taller. Tyson looked pretty ordinary against guys like Mitch Green, Tucker, Bonecrusher Smith, and got beat up pretty bad and knocked out by Douglas.

And Lennox Lewis was always the smarter boxer with higher ring IQ. I can't find the clip now on youtube, but I remember watching some random clip that trainers saw Lewis and Tyson sparring in the early 80s as amateurs and Tyson had the edge in the early goings and then Lewis adapted and whipped him. A prime and motivated Lewis? I say he adapts and then whips Tyson, I say late round KO.

A 16 year old Tyson

Same as that little incident at the 84 Olympic trials that Holyfield is so proud of. A 21 year old man, manning up to a 17 year old boy He is actually poud of that

The biggest difference betwen the Tyson of 88 and the Tyson of 02 is the elusiveness. Lewis would have had massive problems even touching him.

Lennox is only 9 months older than Tyson. You make it sound like it's a grown man beating him up.

Anyways it really doesn't matter anymore. What happened was Tyson got his ass whipped by Lewis in sparring as amateurs and in a pro boxing match in '02. And what matters is that Lewis resume and accomplishments is leagues above Tyson.

Beating up on bums and blownup light HWs is a lot different than trying to beat up Lewis, Tyson learned that real quick.

Originally Posted by ross

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Lewis wins, no doubt in my mind. Tyson always had trouble with guys 6'4" and taller. Tyson looked pretty ordinary against guys like Mitch Green, Tucker, Bonecrusher Smith, and got beat up pretty bad and knocked out by Douglas.

And Lennox Lewis was always the smarter boxer with higher ring IQ. I can't find the clip now on youtube, but I remember watching some random clip that trainers saw Lewis and Tyson sparring in the early 80s as amateurs and Tyson had the edge in the early goings and then Lewis adapted and whipped him. A prime and motivated Lewis? I say he adapts and then whips Tyson, I say late round KO.

A 16 year old Tyson

Same as that little incident at the 84 Olympic trials that Holyfield is so proud of. A 21 year old man, manning up to a 17 year old boy He is actually poud of that

The biggest difference betwen the Tyson of 88 and the Tyson of 02 is the elusiveness. Lewis would have had massive problems even touching him.

Lewis was basically the same age (8 months older or something) & given that was apparently closer to Tyson's 'prime' surely he should have had the advantage.

I'm with Bulldog, I think Lewis would have always had his number. I don't believe he would have been scared & I believe that Lewis would not have let his guard down for a second as he did against Rahman.

I'm sure Tyson could beat him, but based on how they did against certain styles, I fancy Lewis to weather some early pressure, outbox him through the middle rounds & possibly stop him late

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Originally Posted by ross

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Lewis wins, no doubt in my mind. Tyson always had trouble with guys 6'4" and taller. Tyson looked pretty ordinary against guys like Mitch Green, Tucker, Bonecrusher Smith, and got beat up pretty bad and knocked out by Douglas.

And Lennox Lewis was always the smarter boxer with higher ring IQ. I can't find the clip now on youtube, but I remember watching some random clip that trainers saw Lewis and Tyson sparring in the early 80s as amateurs and Tyson had the edge in the early goings and then Lewis adapted and whipped him. A prime and motivated Lewis? I say he adapts and then whips Tyson, I say late round KO.

A 16 year old Tyson

Same as that little incident at the 84 Olympic trials that Holyfield is so proud of. A 21 year old man, manning up to a 17 year old boy He is actually poud of that

The biggest difference betwen the Tyson of 88 and the Tyson of 02 is the elusiveness. Lewis would have had massive problems even touching him.

Lennox is only 9 months older than Tyson. You make it sound like it's a grown man beating him up.

Anyways it really doesn't matter anymore. What happened was Tyson got his ass whipped by Lewis in sparring as amateurs and in a pro boxing match in '02. And what matters is that Lewis resume and accomplishments is leagues above Tyson.

Beating up on bums and blownup light HWs is a lot different than trying to beat up Lewis, Tyson learned that real quick.

Haha, but you have missed the point entirely. What we are trying to determine here is which peak beats the other peak and all you have is some amateurs bout and a Tyson who was 36. Fair enough, he was younger than Lewis but he was champ younger too and also lost about 5 years in the ring through bans or prison, but what matters is that Lewis beat the guy who beat a post jail Tyson? Okay, that's the argument over.

Originally Posted by miles

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Originally Posted by ross

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Lewis wins, no doubt in my mind. Tyson always had trouble with guys 6'4" and taller. Tyson looked pretty ordinary against guys like Mitch Green, Tucker, Bonecrusher Smith, and got beat up pretty bad and knocked out by Douglas.

And Lennox Lewis was always the smarter boxer with higher ring IQ. I can't find the clip now on youtube, but I remember watching some random clip that trainers saw Lewis and Tyson sparring in the early 80s as amateurs and Tyson had the edge in the early goings and then Lewis adapted and whipped him. A prime and motivated Lewis? I say he adapts and then whips Tyson, I say late round KO.

A 16 year old Tyson

Same as that little incident at the 84 Olympic trials that Holyfield is so proud of. A 21 year old man, manning up to a 17 year old boy He is actually poud of that

The biggest difference betwen the Tyson of 88 and the Tyson of 02 is the elusiveness. Lewis would have had massive problems even touching him.

Lennox is only 9 months older than Tyson. You make it sound like it's a grown man beating him up.

Anyways it really doesn't matter anymore. What happened was Tyson got his ass whipped by Lewis in sparring as amateurs and in a pro boxing match in '02. And what matters is that Lewis resume and accomplishments is leagues above Tyson.

Beating up on bums and blownup light HWs is a lot different than trying to beat up Lewis, Tyson learned that real quick.

Haha, but you have missed the point entirely. What we are trying to determine here is which peak beats the other peak and all you have is some amateurs bout and a Tyson who was 36. Fair enough, he was younger than Lewis but he was champ younger too and also lost about 5 years in the ring through bans or prison, but what matters is that Lewis beat the guy who beat a post jail Tyson? Okay, that's the argument over.

I think his point was that at points closer to Tyson's peak & Lewis', on both occasions Lewis had his way with him.

Originally Posted by JazMerkin

Originally Posted by miles

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Originally Posted by ross

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Lewis wins, no doubt in my mind. Tyson always had trouble with guys 6'4" and taller. Tyson looked pretty ordinary against guys like Mitch Green, Tucker, Bonecrusher Smith, and got beat up pretty bad and knocked out by Douglas.

And Lennox Lewis was always the smarter boxer with higher ring IQ. I can't find the clip now on youtube, but I remember watching some random clip that trainers saw Lewis and Tyson sparring in the early 80s as amateurs and Tyson had the edge in the early goings and then Lewis adapted and whipped him. A prime and motivated Lewis? I say he adapts and then whips Tyson, I say late round KO.

A 16 year old Tyson

Same as that little incident at the 84 Olympic trials that Holyfield is so proud of. A 21 year old man, manning up to a 17 year old boy He is actually poud of that

The biggest difference betwen the Tyson of 88 and the Tyson of 02 is the elusiveness. Lewis would have had massive problems even touching him.

Lennox is only 9 months older than Tyson. You make it sound like it's a grown man beating him up.

Anyways it really doesn't matter anymore. What happened was Tyson got his ass whipped by Lewis in sparring as amateurs and in a pro boxing match in '02. And what matters is that Lewis resume and accomplishments is leagues above Tyson.

Beating up on bums and blownup light HWs is a lot different than trying to beat up Lewis, Tyson learned that real quick.

Haha, but you have missed the point entirely. What we are trying to determine here is which peak beats the other peak and all you have is some amateurs bout and a Tyson who was 36. Fair enough, he was younger than Lewis but he was champ younger too and also lost about 5 years in the ring through bans or prison, but what matters is that Lewis beat the guy who beat a post jail Tyson? Okay, that's the argument over.

I think his point was that at points closer to Tyson's peak & Lewis', on both occasions Lewis had his way with him.

But he never faced Tyson in the ring in his prime. Lewis was nobody when Tyson was doing his thing.

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Originally Posted by ross

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Lewis wins, no doubt in my mind. Tyson always had trouble with guys 6'4" and taller. Tyson looked pretty ordinary against guys like Mitch Green, Tucker, Bonecrusher Smith, and got beat up pretty bad and knocked out by Douglas.

And Lennox Lewis was always the smarter boxer with higher ring IQ. I can't find the clip now on youtube, but I remember watching some random clip that trainers saw Lewis and Tyson sparring in the early 80s as amateurs and Tyson had the edge in the early goings and then Lewis adapted and whipped him. A prime and motivated Lewis? I say he adapts and then whips Tyson, I say late round KO.

A 16 year old Tyson

Same as that little incident at the 84 Olympic trials that Holyfield is so proud of. A 21 year old man, manning up to a 17 year old boy He is actually poud of that

The biggest difference betwen the Tyson of 88 and the Tyson of 02 is the elusiveness. Lewis would have had massive problems even touching him.

Lennox is only 9 months older than Tyson. You make it sound like it's a grown man beating him up.

Anyways it really doesn't matter anymore. What happened was Tyson got his ass whipped by Lewis in sparring as amateurs and in a pro boxing match in '02. And what matters is that Lewis resume and accomplishments is leagues above Tyson.

Beating up on bums and blownup light HWs is a lot different than trying to beat up Lewis, Tyson learned that real quick.

The only problem with that story is you arent mentioning that a 16 year old Tyson wiped the floor with Lewis in the first session and knocked him out the ropes. All Lewis did was manage to live with him after that. Back then that was an achievment

Too many revisionists. Back then when boxing "experts"were watching Mike in his heydey they were saying he was coming close to Ali on greatest terms. Now, after going heywire and ruining his own career, people like to forget how dominant and skillfull he was.

Lewis on the other hand, never had a dominant point in his career where he was seen as unbeatable, people were always on tender hooks for that chin, or another gift decision like the Mercer fight, or not trying hard enough against Holyfield in both fights.

Lewis was never beat in his prime i don't think and has the best resume out there besides Ali in the heavies anyhow. I have a hard time seeing Tyson winning all i have to go on is him beating a Holmes who had not been in the ring for ever and Spinks a atg lhw. Tyson has failed when he ran into the elite almost every single time so i can not see him beating Lewis who was king of the there era.

Originally Posted by Mr140

Lewis was never beat in his prime i don't think and has the best resume out there besides Ali in the heavies anyhow. I have a hard time seeing Tyson winning all i have to go on is him beating a Holmes who had not been in the ring for ever and Spinks a atg lhw. Tyson has failed when he ran into the elite almost every single time so i can not see him beating Lewis who was king of the there era.

Oh right

So when was his prime?

Tyson wins with Lewis boxing too conservatively and cautiously to survive a wide points defeat.