How come David Tua is favored against Mike Tyson

[Emon723]

Whenever this match up is talk upon, people always thinks Tua can KO Mike Tyson, I think most visualized this as a heavyweight version of McClellan-Jackson where the younger puncher will prevail. I even had a 1997 KO ****zine issue that joke upon a '97 KO of the year, "Tua KO1 Tyson, his left hook lands first".

Honestly, I think Tyson will came to the fight in a similar approach like he did against Golota, aware and respects the punching power of his opponent, its likely Tua is the one getting knockout instead of Tyson being stopped, even the '02-'03 version of Tyson is still good enough to KO Tua.

[BKM-2010]

He is not favored against Mike Tyson in such matchups at all, unless you're reffering to the late 90s. If it's right after Tyson's long layoff after the holyfield fight in which he was very rusty and started looking shot, then Tua could win. If it's before that layoff then Tyson would knock him out and I think most would favor him.

[Daddy T]

Nobody in their right mind favors tua over mike.

[Sugarj]

I think we need a little clarity here:

Prime for prime, post people would favour 1988 Tyson over 1997 Tua. Most would probably pick a knockout, but I think its poor practice to pick knockouts over individuals who have never been knocked out. Tua shook off Ibeabuchi and Lewis's Sunday punches.....he may well have had the chin to do the same against Tyson. I'd predict a decision win for Tyson on account of his superior speed, combinations and sheer technical skill.

1997 Tyson vs 1997 Tua?

For me, I think Tua might well stop Tyson late or edge him on points. At no point since incarceration was Tyson able to demonstrate that he was a distance fighter. He was dangerous for no more than 5 or 6 rounds at most. In 1997 Tua and Ibeabuchi put on one of the greatest displays of heavyweight 12 round work/punch rate ever. I gather that it might have eclipsed the Thrilla in Manilla in terms of punches thrown/landed pro rata per round. It was certainly reported in the boxing press at the time.

This Tua certainly had Tyson's number in terms of distance stamina and possibly chin too. 1997 Tyson would have still had the edge in speed and technical skill; he'd have probably dominated the first half of the contest, but I wouldn't have banked on him finishing strongly at all......

[BKM-2010]

Thing is, Tua's style falls right into Tyson's hands. He's pretty much a poor man's version of Tyson. As great as his chin was he could still be hurt and knocked down as we've seen Rahman do(after the bell I know, but it's legit) and Barrett although he was past it by then. I agree that he could last longer than Tyson in fights but I don't see him surviving those first couple of rounds where's outmatched in speed, accuracy and skill against that style.

[res]

Thing is, Tua's style falls right into Tyson's hands. He's pretty much a poor man's version of Tyson. As great as his chin was he could still be hurt and knocked down as we've seen Rahman do(after the bell I know, but it's legit) and Barrett although he was past it by then. I agree that he could last longer than Tyson in fights but I don't see him surviving those first couple of rounds where's outmatched in speed, accuracy and skill against that style.

But Tyson would be steadily eating punches equaling or exceeding his own in power. Tyson got sloppy when he got hit. I think Tua has a fair chance against the 97' Tyson.

And the style that falls right into Tyson's hands is a Boxer-pucher with no footwork (the style that peekaboo was designed for).

[BKM-2010]

^^Somebody like Foreman has the size and strength to push Tyson back in a slugfest. Tua does not, so he is forced to try and overcome superior speed, accuracy, defense and skill that 97' Tyson still had. Tua would have to clinch and hold Tyson regularly, but he never did that. I also think that his pride would want him to try to knock Tyson out. The way Rahman countered and knocked Tua down is exactly how I could see Tyson hurt and then finish him because his offense leaves himself open. I think it would have been one of the best slugfests of all time though.

[Bodyshot3]

Tua not stopped in 56 bouts including Rahman x 2, Moorer, Lewis, Ibebauchi and Maskaev; so I see Tyson settling down and having to box and work his way to win this fight on points.

Mike did box and deliver a good pressure game even in his destructive prime and was actually far better at it than he was given credit for.

Everyone remembers Tyson's vicious 'beheadings' but Tucker, Smith and Ruddock were all beaten with a combination of high tempo, good boxing.

Tua wouldn't be able to match the work rate of Tyson and lacked the head movement or reflexes to dodge jabs. But I don't see the Tuaman budging either and don't think he gets blown to kingdom come early like Golota.

[billeau2]

In what way is a one armed fighter, slow on the feet and not particularly explosive...more heavy handed....going to challenge the explosive version of Tyson? a two handed, fleet footed destroyer. Tua would go down and the reason is he had nothng to keep Tyson off of him. No height, no reach, not much of a jab, etc.

[Emon723]

I guess people always gets excited seeing Tyson stopped early in an explosive slugfest against someone similar (Tua) to him in size and punching power.

But Tyson's losses to Douglas, Holyfield and Lewis were past 6 rounds, his chin is very much underrated.