Tyson VS Holyfield in 91

[ross]

The only reason they fought in the same era is that EVERYONE wanted to see the Mike Tyson that made sense of a division again. In fact some enjoyed just watching him knock out anyone, even if it wasnt a meaningfull fight.

Who did Mike beat after prison? I think one of his best wins was against Golota (after prison). He just wasnt the same fighter that his opponents struggled to land on or defend every punch in a lightening 5 punch combination.

He stood static in front of opponents and threw one shot at a time and not because he thought it was better to fight that way but hed forgotton what made him great and no one he was prepaired to have as his trainer could teach or remind him of it.

[Master]

I still have a poster for the 1991 clash.

[bradlee180]

I still have a poster for the 1991 clash.

No poster here, but I have an old mag, Bert Randolph Sugar's Boxing Illustrated.

It says the Champ Holyfield was guaranteed 30 million and Tyson 15 million, with both getting a percentage of ppv tv receipts. The promoters were anticipating grossing 100 million dollars in Nov 1991. Tyson was an 11-5 favorite at the time of publication, and the Ruddock rematch in June 1991 had already happened.


Hey Master, we all know Buster did have some talent but psychologically, he ran hot-and-cold, sometimes motivated, sometimes not giving a $#!t.
Do you think Buster could have got up from the Holyfield knockdown?
Do you think Buster just decided to stay down knowing he had a 24 million dollar payday win or lose?

[Mr140]

I think Holyfeild had Tyson number and he actual won a lot of his big fights and was not crushing cans a lot of his career. I laugh when people say Tyson was not prime because neither was Holyfiled. I mean if i had to call the last prime version i say it was Bowie rematch he won after that Holyfeild had some really bad problems health wise after. Holyfeild was just more solid on his fundamentals then Tyson was so he pretty much outclassed him even though he was older and in worst way when it came to his health.

[ross]

Holyfield took steroids to get to the top and stay there and had been active.

[Mr140]

For one all we know most boxer have taken steroids even your god Tyson has. Thing is did Holyfeild ever fail a test in 26 years that he been fighting because since he was such a huge user pretty much says it all. As for them fighting i say Holyfield wins anytime was better fighter and had better wins in his career. I dont really think if mike came in the 90's during his prime he would of looked as good to be honest with you. The 90's had alot top fighters including the men who beat him Holyfield and Lewis during the later part was quite good as well.

[Master]

For one all we know most boxer have taken steroids even your god Tyson has. Thing is did Holyfeild ever fail a test in 26 years that he been fighting because since he was such a huge user pretty much says it all. As for them fighting i say Holyfield wins anytime was better fighter and had better wins in his career.

My god Tyson did not take PED he just took recreational drugs and alcohol.

[bradlee180]

I think Holyfeild had Tyson number and he actual won a lot of his big fights and was not crushing cans a lot of his career. I laugh when people say Tyson was not prime because neither was Holyfiled. I mean if i had to call the last prime version i say it was Bowie rematch he won after that Holyfeild had some really bad problems health wise after. Holyfeild was just more solid on his fundamentals then Tyson was so he pretty much outclassed him even though he was older and in worst way when it came to his health.

I don't think Holyfield had better fundamentals than Tyson.
Holyfield was more versatile. For example Tyson couldn't fight going backwards, Holy could.
Holyfield had many Great attributes, bur he had some shortcomings:
I think Holyfield fought off-balance a lot.
He didn't move his head enough; that's why he got hit so cleanly by so many fighters; he'd just stand there. His world-class chin, one of the best in Boxing, is what kept him in there many times.
He didn't have Heavyweight power, and part of that was all that nonsensical bouncing around excuse-for-footwork he'd do. When you bounce like that, your feet aren't planted, and you lose power.
He also hardly ever gets called for all the rule-breaking he did with his chronic head-butting and elbows.
Tyson, likewise had many Great attributes and some shortcomings, but he had excellent fundamentals for the style he utilized as a 5'11" guy consistently fighting 6'4" guys.

[Master]

I think Holyfeild had Tyson number and he actual won a lot of his big fights and was not crushing cans a lot of his career. I laugh when people say Tyson was not prime because neither was Holyfiled. I mean if i had to call the last prime version i say it was Bowie rematch he won after that Holyfeild had some really bad problems health wise after. Holyfeild was just more solid on his fundamentals then Tyson was so he pretty much outclassed him even though he was older and in worst way when it came to his health.

I don't think Holyfield had better fundamentals than Tyson.
Holyfield was more versatile. For example Tyson couldn't fight going backwards, Holy could.
Holyfield had many Great attributes, bur he had some shortcomings:
I think Holyfield fought off-balance a lot.
He didn't move his head enough; that's why he got hit so cleanly by so many fighters; he'd just stand there. His world-class chin, one of the best in Boxing, is what kept him in there many times.
He didn't have Heavyweight power, and part of that was all that nonsensical bouncing around excuse-for-footwork he'd do. When you bounce like that, your feet aren't planted, and you lose power.
He also hardly ever gets called for all the rule-breaking he did with his chronic head-butting and elbows.
Tyson, likewise had many Great attributes and some shortcomings, but he had excellent fundamentals for the style he utilized as a 5'11" guy consistently fighting 6'4" guys.

Tyson could be pushed back but he came at you from the sides and obliterated you.

[bradlee180]

Yep, that's the liability of squaring up: you can be pushed back, neutralizing your punching power because you don't have time to punch before getting pushed back.
The advantage is more torque and power on your hooks and uppercuts when you get inside...
Holyfeild was very masterful in how he took advantage of that.

It's not how Buster defeated Tyson at all.

I always think of Buster getting off first with long-range right-hand leads...
Very dangerous to throw right-hand leads, but it worked for Buster on Tyson, and it worked for Ali on Foreman...

[Master]

I still have a poster for the 1991 clash.

No poster here, but I have an old mag, Bert Randolph Sugar's Boxing Illustrated.

It says the Champ Holyfield was guaranteed 30 million and Tyson 15 million, with both getting a percentage of ppv tv receipts. The promoters were anticipating grossing 100 million dollars in Nov 1991. Tyson was an 11-5 favorite at the time of publication, and the Ruddock rematch in June 1991 had already happened.


Hey Master, we all know Buster did have some talent but psychologically, he ran hot-and-cold, sometimes motivated, sometimes not giving a $#!t.
Do you think Buster could have got up from the Holyfield knockdown?
Do you think Buster just decided to stay down knowing he had a 24 million dollar payday win or lose?

Definitely Buster could have gotten up and he decided to stay down and collect the cheque without minimal damage. He was going to lose anyway he was not motivated as he was against Tyson. Now that version would have never have gone down in the first place and may have won.

[bradlee180]

It was good that the Holyfield/Tyson fight finally happened in 1996, and it is a classic fight, but we can only dream what would have happened if the fight had happened 5 years earlier...

[Master]

It was good that the Holyfield/Tyson fight finally happened in 1996, and it is a classic fight, but we can only dream what would have happened if the fight had happened 5 years earlier...

Yes the fight was under rated, Tyson nearly knocked him out with the first punch! After 5 rounds Tyson was shot and started trying to get out of the fight. When that was not going to happen he took his beating and went out on his shield.