Lewis-Tyson, Prime For Prime, Who Wins?

[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.

[littlebif]

Alot of people will probaly disagree ,I think Lewis stood a good chance of koing a prime Tyson.Lewis had a great jab and followed it up with a right uppercut he could catch Tyson on the way in and hurt him.If Lewis survived the first 4 rounds i would favour Lewis to wear him down and fustrate the hell out of Mike.

[WelshDevilRob]

I've seen all of their fights with exception of the Sims fight for Tyson and the Garber fight for Lennox. Neither was televised I believe (If anyone has them then please Upload them)

I watched both fighters careers from the early stages, Lewis from the beginning. Tyson's once he started to make a name for himself before becoming champion.

I intruth never liked Mike when he was champion but over the years have realised and recognised what he brought to the sport and he was huge for us. The man was phenomenal as a fighter - he wasn't though unbeatable in his prime years.

Lennox is my favourite fighter of all time - I doubt I will support anyother fighter the same in my lifetime. The mans ability was remarkable - he adapted to his opponents and made relatively tough fights look comfortable.

Anyway - Who wins? Lennox and the difference is adaptability - Lennox had it and Tyson didn't. If Tyson can't bulldoze Lennox out of there he can't do anything else and would get outboxed. Lewis was a superb ring general and would have controlled the fight.

[Spicoli]

I think a huge advantage would be Lewis mentality,Lewis could get gritty when hurt,very confident.In that category,I think he blows Tyson out of the water.Lewis could be too relaxed in spots,and got blasted for it, but Tyson would have him on springs,and staying sharp with threat of KO.Tyson could be stung and for a second would fall into that tucked glove,stand straight,bob-bob and then come in....rinse repeat.Instinct, name association as well as the fact that Lewis looked like a bug on the windshield with McCall and Rahman...right away says that Lewis gets clipped and KO'd from an onrushing Tyson coming underneath his reach,killing body.....But I'm swaying towards Lewis to stay on point,keep a disciplined hard jab and get Tyson hurt midway/or late for a tko.

[Nameless]

I will be on the unpopular side, I think Lewis could win; Most of Tyson's opponents were shit scared of him and lost long before entering the Ring. Lewis isn't exactly that type plus, he has the worst style ever for Tyson; Long, powerful with an excellent jab to break the rhythm and ... clench when too close. I think he would have had a good chance to pull it with the bell around his waist.

[BoomBoom]

Tysons biggest flaw imo is that he couldnt deal with speed himself. most of the guys he beat easily were slow to bring there punches back, and Tyson had no problem getting underneath a slow jab, right hand, or a wide hook. Tillis showed that a fast, solid jab was the way to beat Tyson. Lewis had the right punch to beat Tyson, no doubt, but It would be a case of how he dealt with the pressure of Mike and if he could weather the storms.

[ono]

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.

So his prime lasted til he was 23? Then because he lost it was decided he was past his prime?

This is what makes me laugh about people going over the top for Tyson. It's not like even burnt himself out as an amateur.

You not think it's the fact that as he aged he fought tougher opposition and that resulted in him not looking so formidable?

If Oliver McCall having a breakdown right infront of him didn't scare him, Iron Mike aint got no hope in hell.

[C.J.Rock]

Lennox & Mike sparred together as kids when with Cus D'mato. Its said that Lennox always had Mike's #. Lennox would TKO Mike inside 10

[C.J.Rock]

What really makes me smile when reading some of these posts is the young kids declaring " I have more Boxing Knowledge than anyone else on this board" & " I'm a boxing expert" LOL
I've been in and around boxing for over 30 years and I certainly dont claim to be an expert . I can remember the great trainer Eddie (Papa Smurf) Futch saying to a reporter that had called Eddie a boxing expert "I'm not an expert I'm still learning the game" Eddie was 82 yrs old at the time

[levi#1BoxingFan]

Tyson would beat lewis down, why even bother with this thread?

[neko1962]

They say history repaets itself.I agree with you, based on the facts that Tyson went 4 years beating up on big guys and NOT getting KO'd, (the facts say) he would have beaten Lewis.

[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.

[CGM]

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.

What horseshit about Tyson. Whatever you want to believe pal.

[CFH]

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.

What horseshit about Tyson. Whatever you want to believe pal.

Wow. Welcome to the forum, but I agree with CGM.