By James Slater: Wladimir Klitschko, at his peak right now, Vs. the peak version of “Iron” Mike Tyson; the 1988 version. Yet another Dream Fight, I know, but with things a little slow today (with no big fight from last night to report on), I felt the urge to indulge!
Who would have won had they met in a fantasy match-up: the Klitschko of 2011 or the Tyson of 1988?
The fight, set for 12-rounds and with all the belts at stake, takes place at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas and a sell-out crowd awaits a potentially explosive contest.
Michael Buffer blasts out his trademark “Let’s get ready to rumble!” and the action gets underway.
Wladimir comes out with a very high guard and pokes out his big left jab. Tyson immediately goes on the offensive and attempts to get underneath Klitschko’s massive arms and explode with his hooks. Wladimir ties him up and leans on Mike with all of his 240-plus pounds. At 219 Mike has quite a weight disadvantage. He is also the much shorter fighter. None of this alters his game-plan, however, and he continues to throw punches with bad intentions. Nothing big lands as of yet though due to Mike’s difficulty in finding the chin of his massive opponent. Other than his jab, Klitschko throws nothing and is very keen to initiate clinches whenever Tyson advances. Mike switches his attack to the body and Wladimir backs off as he does so. The huge Ukrainian is fighting a very negative fight so far and as a result there is a sprinkling of boos to be heard from the audience. The opening round ends and it is given unanimously to Tyson.
Round two, and Tyson again comes out very fast. He was somewhat frustrated in round one due to Klitschko’s spoiling tactics and he exhibits a definite snarl on his face now. Wladimir continues to use his long arms in a defensive manner only, content to push out the odd jab. He looks to be intimidated and wants no part of what Tyson clearly wants – for him to open up and fight hard. The clinching really starts to annoy Tyson in this round and he slams a few elbows into Wladimir’s face, for which referee Joe Cortez gives him a warning. Mike does have some success with his body attack, though, as two wicked shots to the ribs land. Klitschko instantly grabs hold of Tyson’s neck with both arms after he tastes these punches and an incensed Tyson thrashes angrily in an effort to get him off. Mike looks at the ref when the two finally separate, clearly wondering why his opponent is being allowed to get away with such negativity. Then, with only thirty seconds remaining in the round, Tyson at last breaks through Klitschko’s guard. He whips in a hard left to the body and then, with absolutely blurring speed, connects with a huge right uppercut to the jaw. Wladimir is seriously hurt and his legs dip noticeably. He holds out both arms in a quite amateurish fashion and tries desperately to hold off Tyson’s ferocious follow-up attack. Only his huge size and strength allow him to survive the round. As “Dr. Steel Hammer” goes back to his corner, Tyson follows him with burning eyes. Mike did not want to hear that bell!
Round three now. Despite the best efforts of his corner-men – a team that includes his brother Vitali – Wladimir is unable to keep his composure and his face carries an extremely anxious look. Tyson smells blood and goes in for the kill. He lets both hands fly in savage combinations aimed at his shaken opponent and finds both his ribs and his chin. Wladimir’s head snaps back and now he no longer has the wherewithal to even hold on. With Tyson still letting shots go as he is half way to the floor, Wladimir’s colossal frame finally hits the canvas. He is flat on his back and it is evident to Cortez, who doesn’t even bother with the formality of a count, that the fight is over.
With the crowd going crazy, Tyson raises one arm and bears his teeth. He is still smouldering as his corner ascend the ring steps to congratulate him. Wladimir remains prostrate on the canvas for quite some time. He took four devastating shots to the head at the end and the last of these, a left hook, robbed him of whatever consciousness he had left after enduring the stunning accuracy and power of Tyson’s lethal fists. Wladimir was never in the fight. “Iron Mike” once again proves true the old adage – The bigger they are, the harder they fall!