Tyson vs. Holyfield 1988?

Question

I just finished watching Evander do quite a number on both Dwight Muhammad Qawi and Carlos De Leon, in late 1987 and early 1988...right at the time of Mike Tyson's dominance in the Heavyweight division.

If Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson would've gone at it in 1988, do you think Tyson's immense power would've been too much for Evander?

Or do you think Evander could've weathered the Tyson storm and out-classed Mike? Who would've won?

Answer 1

Evander was born with the god given tools to beat Tyson.  Fearless, granite chin, strong work ethic, athleticism.

In 88, there was no blueprint to defeat Tyson.  It was uncharted territory until Buster Douglas showed the world how it could be done.  Evander did mimic the way Douglas would "bogart" Tyson, and used that to help wear him down.  I'm not certain the 1988 Evander would have tried that.  I don't think that tactic would be the difference maker, but it was something that hadn't been employed until Douglas.

Answer 2

If Tyson would have been focused and well trained as he was in the first few years of his career, Holyfield would have been no match.                                                       Tyson was pure power and had a lot more boxing science then most people give him credit for.      After the loss of Cus D'amato and especially after Mike fell under the spell of Don King, he lost much of his direction and felt that he was unbeatable no matter how little he prepared for a fight. I'm not really a Tyson fan. I always considered him a title holder rather then a champion. To me, a champ is also judged by how he conducts himself out of the ring as well as in.

Answer 3

Holyfield had Tyson's number. Holyfield knew how to beat Tyson, he was an excellent counter puncher and he had a granite chin. He always knew Tyson's style fit his perfectly. Where Douglas just was in the right place at the right time Evander drew the blue print on how to beat Mike Tyson.

Holyfield back then would have had the speed on Tyson and would have applied the same game plan in 88 as he did in 96, The big advantage for Tyson is he had Kevin Rooney which could have helped him greatly.

But In the end Holyfields jabbing and counter punching and clinching when Tyson got in close, walking Tyson back and tiring Tyson out would have worked in 88 as well. Holyfield was the first great fighter Tyson fought and although Tyson was not the Tyson he was with Rooney neither was Evander the Evander of the cruiserweight division.

Allot of Tyson's opponents were scared to death of him, Holyfield was not and thats the big difference Holyfield backed Tyson up and thats how he beat him, he countered him when he came in, and tied him up when he got inside and repeat until Tyson was exhausted.

Of all the fights I've seen, I have never seen a game plan constructed and then executed so perfectly. Holyfield was a master of the game plan and executing it which is why I don't count Evander out fighting anybody of anytime.

Answer 4

holyfield was first scheduled to face tyson during the summer of 1990, but douglas had other ideas.....i believe holyfield would have beaten him in '90.

evander needed 2 years to slowly bulk up to heavyweight, but if they met in '88 instead, that would be interesting.....probably still go with "the real deal".

Answer 5

In 1988 Tyson would have whipped on Holyfield. I seen one of Holyfields first fights as a heavyweight in Dec 1988 against Pinklon Thomas. Live at Atlantic City and i do not think he was ready for a primed and hungry Tyson at that time. The Tyson of Spinks, Tubbs and Pinklon would beat Evander easy.  

Answer 6

Tyson couldn't win anyone who had great abilities , a great chin or wasn't going to give up in fear when the going got rough. and good power was another thing Tyson couldn't handle as he had no chin,when he fought anyone with power they didn't hit him as they were to afraid of him, and when he fought anyone who was good they wasn't by the time Tyson fought them .so he had no chance's of beating Holyfield because he had all the above and wasn't past it or afraid of Tyson,and if Holyfield faced Tyson earlier he would have beat Tyson in an even  better way than he did .and yes Tyson spent time in prison,but Holyfield had been in to many wars which took so much out of him, which meant Tyson having no hard fights was much fresher than Holyfield .the only good boxer tyson fought who still had something left (who didn't KO him) was Frank Bruno and he had a China chin and got KO'd by any one with a good punch .Holyfield had Tyson figured out due to something you lot obviously don't know about, Holyfield had sparred with Tyson numerous times,and knows if you stand your ground and don't fear him then he'll start to self destruct ,Tyson was in fact an insecure person, so if you put him in doubt then he crumbled and Holyfield  knew this. Tyson could have never beaten Holyfield. the only chance Tyson ever had was a punches chance( against a counter puncher) and no chance.