Tyson v Lewis

[Shaggy]

Following on from Trevor Berbick’s horrible death, I’m now bickering with a few mates about Mike Tyson. Specifically “who was the best – Tyson or Lennox Lewis?”…

I was a huge Tyson fan and I find it almost laughable that my clown of a friend (an Evertonian, by the way) thinks Lewis even has a case. What do the boxing fans on here reckon? Lewis obviously battered a washed-up (but younger) Tyson, but for me that carries little or no weight. It also may well be a futile, petty and meaningless discussion…but I enjoy the debate regardless.

What d’you reckon fellas?

[Bob]

Tyson was over-rated IMO. Wasn't much of a boxer, but didn't need to be with that power and ferociousness. when he lost that after his bird, it was horrendous watching him - he had nothing to fall back on

[Diego]

if both had met in their prime tyson would have knocked his teeth out, thats all

[bazza76]

Tyson was a way better fighter, "in his prime". There was absolutely nobody that could stop Tyson at his best, nobody. IMO he would have blown Lewis away.
Bob, Tyson wasnt much of a boxer?.
He was one of the best heavyweight boxers technically ive ever seen, he was so hard to hit and connected with so many punches, his head always moving making him hard to hit.

[fah-q]

Tyson was perpetual motion in his prime. Cus D'Amato honed his raw aggression into an almost unbeatable style. His centre of gravity was so low he was impossible to knock over and gave him incredible leverage in his punches. But one of the most overlooked aspects of Iron Mike was his movement. He could duck and dive with the best of em, very hard to tag.

I like Lewis and would love them to have fought in their prime (i.e. pre prison Tyson and Lewis around the time he destroyed Ruddock). It would be a great fight, but I think Tyson would have won.

[Kaip]

Did`nt tyson pay lewis " step -a-side " money

[fah-q]

When was this?

[Red Chilli]

Tyson in his prime would have brutally destroyed Lewis. It would have benn a complete mismatch.

[Howard_lfc]

Tyson for me.

Lewis was always terrified of being hit - and he'd have been battered by Tyson.

[kurtangle01]

Lewis was better. Much better!

[Doc_Piptorious]

Did`nt tyson pay lewis " step -a-side " money

Correct, he did so on two occassions. The first time was just after Lewis beat Donovan Ruddock and the second was after Lewis beat Tommy Morrison.

Lewis at his peak was a very under rated fighter and boxer, who had a thunderous punch. Motivation was always Lewis' best ally and worst enemy.

I think if we had access to a time machine and both were put in the ring, Lewis would beat Tyson, Tyson would have of course a great chance of landing a bomb in the early rounds, but Lewis is no slouch in that department either.

I think it would have been similar to the Lewis-Tua fight or even the Lewis-Morrison fight. (Tua being a huge power puncher with both hands, although Tua could only dream of the head movement and quick fists that a prime Tyson had.)

[Kaip]

Correct, he did so on two occassions. The first time was just after Lewis beat Donovan Ruddock and the second was after Lewis beat Tommy Morrison.

Lewis at his peak was a very under rated fighter and boxer, who had a thunderous punch. Motivation was always Lewis' best ally and worst enemy.

I think if we had access to a time machine and both were put in the ring, Lewis would beat Tyson, Tyson would have of course a great chance of landing a bomb in the early rounds, but Lewis is no slouch in that department either.

I think it would have been similar to the Lewis-Tua fight or even the Lewis-Morrison fight. (Tua being a huge power puncher with both hands, although Tua could only dream of the head movement and quick fists that a prime Tyson had.)

[Doc_Piptorious]

A few fighters talked the talk about Lewis, but often avoided him in the ring, Riddick Bowe being another. That was a fight that I always wanted to see, as Bowe was a top notch boxer, but Lewis always seemed to have an edge on him since their meeting at amateur level.

[Bob]

Correct, he did so on two occassions. The first time was just after Lewis beat Donovan Ruddock and the second was after Lewis beat Tommy Morrison.

Lewis at his peak was a very under rated fighter and boxer, who had a thunderous punch. Motivation was always Lewis' best ally and worst enemy.

I think if we had access to a time machine and both were put in the ring, Lewis would beat Tyson, Tyson would have of course a great chance of landing a bomb in the early rounds, but Lewis is no slouch in that department either.

I think it would have been similar to the Lewis-Tua fight or even the Lewis-Morrison fight. (Tua being a huge power puncher with both hands, although Tua could only dream of the head movement and quick fists that a prime Tyson had.)

Not quite sure i agree Lewis edged Tyson at his peak. But it certainly wasn't a nailed on Tyson rout that some suggest. I just think that Tyson was a tad over-rated, while Lewis was the polar opposite. If it went past 6 then i'd favour Lewis to keep edge him out by keeping him at jabbing distance till Tyson wore himself out late on.

[kurtangle01]

Correct, he did so on two occassions. The first time was just after Lewis beat Donovan Ruddock and the second was after Lewis beat Tommy Morrison.

Lewis at his peak was a very under rated fighter and boxer, who had a thunderous punch. Motivation was always Lewis' best ally and worst enemy.

I think if we had access to a time machine and both were put in the ring, Lewis would beat Tyson, Tyson would have of course a great chance of landing a bomb in the early rounds, but Lewis is no slouch in that department either.

I think it would have been similar to the Lewis-Tua fight or even the Lewis-Morrison fight. (Tua being a huge power puncher with both hands, although Tua could only dream of the head movement and quick fists that a prime Tyson had.)

Lewis did beat Tyson.