What If?: “Iron” Mike Tyson Vs “Big” George Foreman

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Our latest mythical matchup features two of the most feared Heavyweights in boxing history. However, I’m going to throw in a twist here. I’m not putting the 1970’s version of Foreman in against Tyson. Rather the focus here will be on the matchup that actually could have taken place, but didn’t. Let’s alter boxing history as follows:

Mike Tyson’s scheduled February 1990 defense against Buster Douglas is cancelled due to a knee injury he suffers in training camp. Instead of fighting Douglas, he then signs to face 41 year old “Big” George Foreman on June 21st. Iron Mike will receive a giant payday of $20 million for the fight, while Foreman receives $7.5 million. Many view this fight as a mismatch, but boxing fans are fascinated and compelled to watch regardless. So who takes it? Iron Mike or Big George?

Let’s settle this in the ring…

The night of June 21st has arrived and a capacity crowd of more than 20,000 have flocked to Madison Square Garden in New York City to witness one of the strangest mega fights in boxing history. Tyson is an overwhelming 25-1 favorite according to the Las Vegas odds makers and most boxing experts expect the invincible Iron Mike to easily dispatch of an old and fat George Foreman. More than one has described the matchup as a travesty and a joke.

Big George enters the ring to loud applause at 11:23 pm EST. He wears red trunks with white trim. Foreman weighs in tonight at a hefty 255 lbs. Tyson enters the ring five minutes later at 11:28 pm, wearing his typical attire of black trunks with no socks. Tyson is a bit heavier than usual tonight coming in at 222 lbs. Michael Buffer introduces the fighters and referee Richard Steele calls them to the center of the ring. The bell is about to ring for round one.

Tyson’s vastly superior speed and reflexes are on display early as he works his way inside and lands at will against the ponderous Foreman. With a minute remaining in the first round, Tyson lands a crackling left hook which sends Big George stumbling toward the ropes. Foreman successfully manages to tie up Tyson, but is unable to mount an offense of his own as the round comes to a close. Round two features more of the same as Big George seems woefully overmatched. Iron Mike lands a crushing right which staggers Foreman who, once again, is forced to hold on in desperation. At this point, it only seems like a matter of time before Tyson moves in for the kill.

From ringside, HBO’s Larry Merchant channels his inner Howard Cosell excoriating Don King and the boxing establishment for: “The ignominious matching of an old, fat and out of shape George Foreman against the greatest athlete in the world.” As we move into round three, Tyson is surprisingly having more success on the outside, landing clean, hard punches at will. However, on the inside, Foreman is effectively tying him up. Although he accomplishes little offensively, Big George’s tactics frustrate Iron Mike, who glares angrily at Richard Steele as he returns to the corner.

As the fourth round begins, Foreman is bleeding from above his left eye. Tyson continues to dominate the first two minutes with quick, accurate punching but Big George is weathering the storm. Over the final minute, he starts to find Tyson with his jab. Iron Mike returns to his corner with a worried look on his face. Foreman has additional success with the left jab in round five. However, with a minute remaining, Tyson lands a tremendous right uppercut which staggers Foreman. Iron Mike traps him along the ropes and looks to finish. However, Big George is once again able to successfully hold and survive the round. Tyson shakes his head in disbelief as he returns to the corner.

By the 6th round, Foreman is badly behind on points but his confidence is increasing. Tyson still lands in greater volume but his punches lack the steam they had early in the fight. Big George lands a sharp right which snaps Iron Mike’s head back as the round comes to a close. Foreman starts to take control of the fight in the 7th as Tyson is visibly tiring. Big George is finding him with his jab and right hand on the outside and cleverly leaning on him on the inside, sapping Iron Mike’s energy and strength.

Between rounds Larry Merchant opines: “For those of us who thought this fight was a joke, no one is laughing now.” A confident Foreman comes out for round 8, spearing Tyson with his powerful jab and landing dangerous rights at long range. For the first time in his career, Iron Mike looks confused and intimidated. By the 9th, Tyson is suffering from swelling around his right eye. He continues to be in a funk while Foreman surges. The crowd has been whipped into frenzy over the emerging potential upset. Foreman lands a devastating right late in the round which buckles Iron Mike’s knees. Now it is Tyson who is forced to grab and hold. He returns to the corner on rubbery legs as the bell rings.

For the first time in his career Iron Mike is in a real dog fight. He responds like a true champion, coming out like a man possessed in round 10. After eating several jabs from Foreman, Tyson lands a crushing left hook, right uppercut combination which leaves Big George teetering in the center of the ring. Foreman responds with a big right of his own which snaps Tyson’s head back. However, Iron Mike steps back and lands another right hand bomb that staggers Big George again. Once again though, Foreman manages to survive the assault with his legs shaking as he returns to the corner.

Big George is now badly cut over his left eye and the ring doctor examines the wound closely in his corner. HBO’s unofficial scorer Harold Lederman has the fight scored commandingly in Tyson’s favor, 97-91 on points. From ringside, Jim Lampley exclaims: “As this drama unfolds before us, does the Methuselah of boxing, “Big” George Foreman, have one last rally left in the gas tank? Here we go for round 11!”

The first minute of round 11 is all Mike Tyson, who rides the crest of the momentum he established in the previous round. The referee stops the action at the 90 second mark and leads Foreman over to the ring doctor to examine the wound over his left eye. After an extensive delay, the ring doctor reluctantly allows the fight to continue. Big George has to do something and fast before the fight is stopped on cuts. Foreman has a surprisingly calm look on his face as the fighters meet in the center of the ring. Big George spears Tyson with a stiff left jab, right cross combination which stops Iron Mike in his tracks. Tyson responds with a left hook which shakes Foreman. Big George holds.

As Richard Steele breaks the fighters, Foreman lands a crisp right which snaps Tyson’s head back. He follows up with a left that misses but then scores with a haymaker right which buckles Iron Mike’s knees. Foreman smiles as he knows his adversary is in big trouble. Finally, with 14 seconds left in round 11, Foreman lands a perfect right cross. Tyson goes down in a heap. Iron Mike reaches for his mouthpiece as Richard Steele counts to 10! From ringside Jim Lampley exclaims:

“It happened! It happened! In the most shocking result in boxing history, Iron Mike Tyson has been knocked out! Big George Foreman has snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and become not only the only the oldest but also the most improbable Heavyweight Champion in boxing history!…………Unbelievable!”

Foreman wins KO 11