Lewis-Tyson, Prime For Prime, Who Wins?

[BIG H]

I think this is an interesting fight because I think that the Lennox that fought Frank Bruno, gets KOd, but I also think that the Tyson that fought Tony Tucker could come up short too. I think at their best though, It would start a lot like Lewis-Mercer with Lewis trying to box, but Tyson keeping him under constant pressure and offbalance, Mikes explosiveness would be the difference though and I think after being behind early, the tide would turn in Tysons favor. I think Tyson stops him in 8 with the scorecards pretty even.

I'll probably be in the minority, but I'm going with Tyson KO. If McCall and Rahman can do it, Tyson could've done it

[Gandalf]

Tyson does it without even inhaling for breath. Lewis could not have dealt with him in the least. Might have taken a few rounds but once the chin is checked, it's chin check out time.

[Kel]

I don't want to sound like a twat but use the fucking search function, you will find lots to read on a prime Lewis and a prime Tyson going at it.

[BIG H]

I don't want to sound like a twat but use the fucking search function, you will find lots to read on a prime Lewis and a prime Tyson going at it.

I never get tired of talking about it

[Gandalf]

I don't want to sound like a twat but use the fucking search function, you will find lots to read on a prime Lewis and a prime Tyson going at it.

I never get tired of talking about it

Agreed. It's always interesting to see how far revisionism has swayed the current group of posters.

Lewis gets better every year whilst Tyson goes down. Utter baloney!

[BoomBoom]

I don't want to sound like a twat but use the fucking search function, you will find lots to read on a prime Lewis and a prime Tyson going at it.

I never get tired of talking about it

Agreed. It's always interesting to see how far revisionism has swayed the current group of posters.

Lewis gets better every year whilst Tyson goes down. Utter baloney!

I agree, with both men long retired people have a different view on the fight cause emotions are cooled down and things are taken more a face value.

[BIG H]

People remeber the Tyson that fought Holyfield, Lewis Williams and McBride, not the one that destroyed Spinks in 93 seconds

[BoomBoom]

I though of that after the fact Kel, ive got the flu and head isnt very clear right now. Im f@ckin loopy at the moment, but its a topic that popped into my head so i posted it. Thats all

[Kel]

I don't want to sound like a twat but use the fucking search function, you will find lots to read on a prime Lewis and a prime Tyson going at it.

I never get tired of talking about it

Oh, what the hell.........an early Tyson beats an early Lewis and a late Lewis beats a late Tyson.

Right, I'm off for a shite

*grabs paper*

[El Kabong]

OK Prime for Prime would go down about the way the actual match went down. Tyson would be in it for the first half of the fight and then fade because Lewis was a lot bigger and he was just all around a better boxer.

Lennox Lewis COULD have had an off night and got KO'd but I am thinking if they fought 100 times Lennox could easily take 70 fights off of Mike.

Lennox and Evander just had Mike's number...the fights vs Rudduck and Bruno were actual FIGHTS, the fights vs Lennox and Evander were not even close, Tyson got dominated in both fights and I highly doubt a Prime Tyson would have done much different

[Master]

Holyfield v Cooper and Lewis v Mercer were actual fights too.

[CGM]

OK Prime for Prime would go down about the way the actual match went down. Tyson would be in it for the first half of the fight and then fade because Lewis was a lot bigger and he was just all around a better boxer.

Lennox Lewis COULD have had an off night and got KO'd but I am thinking if they fought 100 times Lennox could easily take 70 fights off of Mike.

Lennox and Evander just had Mike's number...the fights vs Rudduck and Bruno were actual FIGHTS, the fights vs Lennox and Evander were not even close, Tyson got dominated in both fights and I highly doubt a Prime Tyson would have done much different

There is something in what you say. I don't know about 70%, but if Lewis boxes smart, keeps busy, and doesn't make any stupid mistakes, maybe he keeps Tyson at bay. Maybe.

[ono]

It's a question that can't really be answered in fairness. There is cases for Tyson ko'ing him and there is a case for Lewis frustrating the life out of him....I will say tho...

There isn't anybody on Tyson's 'prime' resume that is majorly impressive. The manor in which he won the fights might have been but i think a lot of people glorify his 'prime' because the reality may be that when he stepped up, he lost. Therefore it's easier to say 'he's past his prime'. Sometimes the fact that you are facing far better fighters (than you are used to facing) who also happen to be in their prime can sometimes give the illusion that you're not quite in your prime anymore - given that you haven't performed so well against them.

I just feel that it's too difficult to fully justify his prime being around the time he first became champion because he was beating name fighters who were past their best or solid-looking fighters with padded records or at least resumes that appear better until you actually look at how their resume is compiled.

He was a beast and of course there is the option of saying 'Tyson by KO' no matter who his prime vs prime opponent is, because he had the power and the speed to land.....but at the same time you have to remember that the chances of landing those sort of punches severly diminish when you actually fight an elite fighter.....like Holyfield or Lewis.

[KananKrus]

Prime Tyson would scare the life out of the prime Lewis.

During his prime, pre-Buster Douglas, Tyson preyed on them big guys. He had difficulty versus scrappers and crafty/slick big heavyweights. I do not see Lewis as such, and if Lewis was knocked out by a "Rahman" just like that, imagine what Tyson with his "imagined" aura of invincibilty, would have done to him.

Tyson, easy KO.

[ukfan]

It's a question that can't really be answered in fairness. There is cases for Tyson ko'ing him and there is a case for Lewis frustrating the life out of him....I will say tho...

There isn't anybody on Tyson's 'prime' resume that is majorly impressive. The manor in which he won the fights might have been but i think a lot of people glorify his 'prime' because the reality may be that when he stepped up, he lost. Therefore it's easier to say 'he's past his prime'. Sometimes the fact that you are facing far better fighters (than you are used to facing) who also happen to be in their prime can sometimes give the illusion that you're not quite in your prime anymore - given that you haven't performed so well against them.

I just feel that it's too difficult to fully justify his prime being around the time he first became champion because he was beating name fighters who were past their best or solid-looking fighters with padded records or at least resumes that appear better until you actually look at how their resume is compiled.

He was a beast and of course there is the option of saying 'Tyson by KO' no matter who his prime vs prime opponent is, because he had the power and the speed to land.....but at the same time you have to remember that the chances of landing those sort of punches severly diminish when you actually fight an elite fighter.....like Holyfield or Lewis.

I've not replied to any message before although I have looked at this forum for a long while but I couldn't walk past this post as I think it's spot on. The prime vs. prime stuff is bunk. Tyson lost because he was never ever top rank - he looked amazing but he looked amazing against a poor set of opposition and he lost when he ran into someone more determined. He never triumphed in aversity or overcame a great opponent. He didn't pass the test when it came, and despite his highlight reel career is not a great heavyweight.