Mike Tyson Versus The Klitschko Brothers
Would 1989’s Dominant Heavyweight Champion Beat the Current Champs?
Oct 24, 2009
In October 1989 “Iron” Mike Tyson had been champion for almost three years, having clinically dispatched all nine men who had attempted to relieve him of his titles. He was the leading fighter on the Heavyweight boxing scene. His record stood at 38-0 (34) and following his breathtaking demolition of Michael Spinks the previous year he was already, at 23 years of age, being touted as a worthy addition to the ranks of all-time greats at Heavyweight. However, would Tyson in his peak have defeated the Klitshcko brothers?
Undisputed Heavyweight Champion
Though his later career was to become something of a train wreck, this should not blind us to the inarguable fact that Tyson, in 1989, was presiding over something of a reign of terror as far as the division was concerned. In unifying the titles he has rendered the claim of any rival to equal billing obsolete. Opponents of he calibre of Tony Tucker (35-0), Pinklon Thomas (29-1-1), Larry Holmes (48-2) and Tyrell Biggs (15-0) had all been found wanting. Of the top heavyweights of the day, arguably only Tim Witherspoon did not receive the opportunity to annex Tyson’s crown. With a new decade approaching the division had been cleaned up and curiously enough everyone seemed to be happy about it.
Klitschko Brothers Dominate Today’s Heavyweight Championship Scene
Fast forward twenty years and two dominant champions sit on top of the Heavyweight pile. Yet the Klitschko brothers, for all their dominance, are dogged by controversy and often damned with faint praise. Wladimir, 53-3 (47), the WBO/IBF champion, despite having made seven defences is viewed by many as a paper champion. His most notable victories, over the likes of Sultan Ibragimov and Ruslan Chagaev are not accorded the respect Tyson’s greatest performances were given. Partly this is down to the respective styles of the two fighters.
Tyson was principally a come forward pressure fighter who delighted in the white heat of combat. Possessed of blinding hand speed and crushing one punch power, Tyson was a fearsome prospect in the ring. Wladimir, at 6’6’’ and 245 pounds is a cautious stylist, though one whose 47 knockouts in 53 wins demand respect. The most likely deciding factor in this fight would be Wladimir’s suspect chin. Having been stopped three times by the likes of Lamont Brewster, Corrie Sanders and Ross Purity it is doubtful whether the 1996 Olympic champion would have been able to withstand the frenzied attack of a prime Tyson. An early stoppage victory looks on the cards here for Tyson. Remember this is an unbeaten Tyson, who had never suffered the indignity of a cut or a knockdown.
However, it is worth pointing out that Tyson, under prepared and mentally fragile, would go on to lose his next fight to Buster Douglas in February 1990-strangely enough against a tall, mobile fighter with the best jab in the division. Douglas came through a firestorm that night while Wladimir at times appears to have a pathological fear of engaging in any meaningful exchanges. It is hard to envisage him circumnavigating more than a couple of rounds before being hammered to defeat.
Vitali Klitschko The Best Heavyweight in the World Today
Even if Wladimir, through virtue of his lengthier reign and possession of two titles, is heralded as the current number one in the division, many consider his elder brother Vitali, 38-2 (37), to be the superior fighter. Where Wladimir is lambasted for his lack of punch resistance Vitali is viewed as almost invulnerable. Having taken the best shots of bombers such as Lennox Lewis and Corrie Sanders without wilting it is fair to say Vitali has shown his ability to absorb punishment. Vitali Klitschko v Tyson would be an intiguing fight.
At 6’7’’ and with a similarly prodigious reach to his brother almost all his fights are contested at distance where his potent right hand almost always proves a fight-ending leveller. However, despite recent stylistic tinkering the increased mobility suggested by his most recent win over Chris Arreola, the giant Ukrainian is generally somewhat immobile and one-paced.
Again it is hard to see Tyson being kept at bay for the full twelve rounds by his 37-year-old opponent. However, it is not impossible to envisage Vitali countering Tyson’s rushes with enough hard counterpunches (much as Lennox Lewis did to a spent and ageing Tyson) to swing the contest his way. Tyson, with the bulwark of a 20’’ neck was able to withstand the best punches of notable hitters such as Smith, Tucker and Bruno in powering his way to victory, though he was shaken in each of the aforementioned contests.
Vitali’s iron chin and prodigious advantages in both height and reach would surely allow him to be competitive; though ultimately it's likely that the fight would go the way of Tyson’s 1987 contest with the huge and imposing James “Bonecrusher” Smith and end in a resounding, if somewhat messy points verdict in "Iron" Mike's favour.
A Peak Mike Tyson v the Klitschko Brothers
The Klitschko brothers are fine ambassadors for the sport, clean living athletes who always enter the ring in great shape. Despite the negative rumblings from a chastened American press they can do no more than dispatch the challengers put in front of them. However, in facing a 1989 version of Mike Tyson they would be thrust way outside their comfort zone. Glaring at them from across the ring would be a menacing, confident and unbeaten 23-year-old. Yet one who had in a mere 4 ½ years as a professional defeated a vastly more impressive roster of opponents. Mike has too much power, speed and ferocity for either of the brothers. Against these two opponents “The Baddest Man on the Planet” comes out firmly on top.
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