kurtcobain1 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

yeh i pretty much agree. I think it would have been more interesting if he had fought tyson while cus d' amato was still alive though. I'm not sure if lewis's technical skill was as sophisticated back then, and tyson was a more disciplined pro then.

mattingly17 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

it isn't really even a case of youth, it is a case of a fighter being dominant because he maxes out his potential. Mike only did that when he was with Rooney, u aren't considering all the years he missed out on learning, shaping and elevating his craft after the split. Tyson never fought anywhere nearly as well after. if you contend that Lewis didn't need a good trainer to become what he became and Tyson did then i agree. history has already proved that this was the case.

mattingly17 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

and Lewis didn't fight bums? don't even include a washed up Tyson and an over the hill Holyfield. i agree Tyson faced mostly bums, and a few good fighters, but Lewis didn't face much better, in fact worse i believe. the excuse is not only not pathetic it is right on. Lewis didn't dominate the bums he fought cause he didn't have Mike's skills. he is not Tyson's equal. Mike was designed to do what he did and he lost 50% of his ability when Rooney left. with Rooney Tyson dominates for everyone!

everyfukaznameisbear (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

But let's pretend that Tyson in his "so called prime" at 22. Faced a prime Lewis....Lewis was in his prime at around 28. Lewis would have boxed the ears of Tyson. He would have had more experience. It would have been boxer vs brawler. And boxers nearly always win. But let's not go into "what if". Tyson and Lewis met when they were BOTH past it. ANd Lewis anihilated Tyson. That's why he paid Lewis $6m in '96 not to fight. Bowe relinquished WBC Title to Lewis in '92. And Tyson did in 96.

everyfukaznameisbear (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

mattingly, ur argument is seriously floored. Tyson under Rooney did nothing but KO bums. THAT's why he looked so good. As boxers progress they face tougher opposition. How old was Tyson when he split with Rooney? just turned 22? That excuse is pathetic. Lewis had more than one trainer throughout his career and still became 3x heavyweight champion. Still was champion for a decade and still made more title defences. And still beat everyone. Tyson = American HYPE Machine.

mattingly17 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

halfway my ass, Ruddock, Douglas and i think Smith all came after the Rooney/Tyson split and D'Amato was long gone from the scene. that is post real Tyson as far as I am concerned. the only guy who really ever impressed me in a fight with young Tyson was Tony Tucker. that was the first guy who didn't shit in his pants when Tyson entered the ring and he held up very well. Tyson won and i even recall thinking it was too close for comfort, but Tyson clearly won. maybe Lewis doesn't go dwn in 8.

boxinghris (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

A peak Tyson against a peak Lewis would have been an equal match - anyone saying one would demolish the other is wrong. I'd have picked Lewis after seeing how Tony Tucker, Razor Ruddock, Bonecrusher Smith and Buster Douglas handled him once they'd gotten over the initial onslaught, fighters without Lewis's skill or fight ending right hand. Finally, the guy suggesting Ali would have been a Tyson victim really should watch some old videos of Ali and be more than a little embarrassed. :0)

llcjord (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

bullshit... tyson was a half way fighter he knew that he had to win fights early all the way through his career. lewis never lost a decision. so how can u say that tyson would ve beat lewis after 12 rwnds?. lewis won the fight they had so...

mattingly17 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Lewis was always a good fighter, agreed. But my argument still stands: young, hungry, vicious Tyson + Rooney defeats Lewis on his best day. the best Lewis could hope for would be a 12 round decision that would go to Tyson. why do you think so many compared Tyson to Ali during Tyson's early years? he was unbeatable and unstoppable. Now remind me of the time when everyone was comparing Lewis (young or old) to Ali and asking who would be the greater champion. Never, Lewis was never that good!

mattingly17 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

descent argument, however, there is a huge difference. Tyson under Rooney/Cus D'Amato tutelage and post breakdown Tyson are two completely different fighters. Tyson dropped Rooney before he fought Ruddock and that affected him greatly from that point on, he was never the same. Also there's the emotional trauma of losing Cus D'amato. These important factors are what made young Tyson so dominant and without them made old Tyson so mediocre. Lewis fought lots of bums too!!!