Only serious boxing fans reply?

Question

I had an argument with this guy who guareentees that Mike tyson would have killed lennox lewis if both were in their primes and that mayweather is going to go down as the greatest counter puncher of all time. My argument to both was that tyson could only beat lennox if he knocked him out and that he had problems fighting olympic level heavyweights. I give tyson credit for having power and combonations but other than that i don't know what else he had. and mayweather is probably in the top 20 for counter punchers but that leonard,pep,armstrong, ray robinson would all kill him in a fight. Any thoughts

Answer 1

Lennox in his prime had an excellent jab and had the potential to keep a Mike Tyson at bay. However a Tyson in his prime? No way. Tyson rips his head off, just like he did everyone else. His hand speed at the HW division and power of his punches would rip through a Lennox guard. It would be an interesting match up because Lennox is clearly the smarter fighter but this would be a case where raw talent and power would surpass his boxing smarts.

In terms of Mayweather I love this question because I really think we have not seen just how good he really his. Nor will we ever because of the lack of competition and him aging out of his prime now. I can't say the best counter puncher ever because you can't measure that. Mayweather is an interesting test subject because I think had he been challenged enough in his prime that yes you could make the argument he is the best counter puncher of all time, but right now I can't say that he is. His career is moving out of his prime now, and we will be left to argue questions like this for a long time to come.

Answer 2

My only thought is that you've covered the issues pretty well.

That said, it's fun to talk about fantasy matchups.  I can say that Jack Dempsey would have KO's Gene Tunney in the first round if they had fought a third time and you can;t prove me wrong.

I agree that Tyson in his prime would have had to kayo Lewis to beat him, and he might have been able to do that.  And he would have had to do it early in the fight because Tyson was usually drained after the 5th round.  I think Mayweather is an interesting case.  If Margarito beats Cotto Margo may get a shot at PBF.  Margo is not Aaron Pryon, but he's the closest thing to him we've had since Aaron retired.  That's a fight I'd love to see.

Answer 3

The only way Tyson beats Lennox is if Cus Dmoto does not die. Tyson was a beast but after Cus died that was it no one else could bring him back in. On Mayweather I agree with you on those fighters beating him and Aaron Pryor would have killed him Donald Curry would have killed him I will give him credit he is the best there is right now

Answer 4

I have always felt that a good boxer with power would be able to KO Lennox - he simply did not have a strong chin and in the heavyweight division against guys that big its as huge of a liability as there is.  Tyson, in his prime, would have waded through Lewis pawing jab and level him.  Mike had a great chin, his KOs came from sustained beatings, his speed as a heavyweight was almost unmatched, and his power is well documented.  Holyfield was able to stand in for 24 rounds with Lewis, and rocked him in their second fight....Tyson would do worse to him.

As far as Mayweather, its really going to be hard to say because I don't think he's going to go up against that will prove that he is as great as he very well may be.  I couldn't say that he's a better counter-puncher than a guy like Pernell Whitaker or James Toney, who proved their mettle against dangerous and bigger opponents, standing right in the pocket for 12 rounds, landing counters.

Answer 5

To beat Tyson you need tight defense, strong chin and good counter-punching.  That ain't Lewis.  Prime Tyson would have hit Lewis harder than did either McCall or Rahman.  It's safe to say that Mikey would have blasted Lennox.

I dunno if Mayweather is the greatest ever counter puncher, but I'm trying to think just who from history was/is better.