I thought the same at one time as well but I think Lennox would have stood up to the bully and done what he did years later. Don King knew this and paid handsomely for Lennox NOT to fight Tyson when opportunities were there when both were in their primes.
World Number One said:
It's one of those questions that really can't be answered so you could be right but I will present the other side to the agruement. Yes Tyson could of won. Mike had unreal power so there is always that punchers chance he catches Lewis on the chin and that is that.
When Mike was in his prime whoever he faced was pretty much flat out scared of him. With all the hype he got his opponents by and large already felt defeated going into the ring against the Tyson mystic.
The first boxer who stood up to Mike and wasn't afraid of him was Buster Douglas and Mike basically quit in that match. This is why I feel that Lewis would have always stood a good chance against Mike. He'd be able to keep Mike from getting inside and he'd be able to pound the jab to his face all day long. Plus Lewis at any point in his career was never in awe or afriad of anyone. He was a fighting champion he never ducked people where as Don King did not want Tyson to fight Lewis after Lewis knocked out Razor Riddick. (and before he lost to Oilver McCall) Lewis had to wait along time for his shot since neither Tyson and Riddick Bowe (who Lewis knocked out in 88) did not want to fight him and Holyfield avoided it for aslong as he could as well.
I always wondered whether Tyson was legendary or in reality he was fighting guys who were mediocre and had no chance. I can't really come up with one fighter he fought who I would classify as any better than "very good". Larry Holmes was the exception and at that point in his career he was way past his prime.
GreenDoberman said:
Thank you GD...it's amazing what a stack of tomato cans can do make you a legend. All it took to knock Tyson off the perch was one Buster Douglas. Tyson at no point of his career would have beat Lennox Lewis (Too big, too smart), nor would he have beat Evander Holyfield (too dumb to know he got knocked out).
Lewis wasn't imtimidated by Tyson and Tyson's handlers knew this and was a big reason why DK paid Lennox to stay away from Tyson. People just need to face it, Lewis was the best of our era. Only 2 losses came on one punch KOs other than that he dominated albeit boringly at times.
