Muhammad Ali (74 version) vs Mike Tyson (88 Version) in Zaire 1974

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Showstopper97, Mar 22, 2022.


Who Wins?

  1. Ali (74)

    26 vote(s)
    49.1%

  2. Tyson (88)

    27 vote(s)
    50.9%
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  1. Showstopper97

    Showstopper97 The Icon Full Member

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    Now imagine you replace George Foreman, with Mike Tyson talking his place & put the 1988 version of Tyson in a time machine back into 1974 (Back II The Future style) with his same reputation & aura. Also, like Foreman - let's say he dominates Frazier & Norton - with Tyson taking out Frazier in 2 & Norton even quicker than Foreman did in 1. Muhammad Ali also keeps those 2 loses to Frazier & Norton.

    Also, since Tyson was pretty active, in between those fights he does demolition jobs on top contenders Quarry, Ellis & Bugner - none of them making it past 3 (Bugner lasts the longest, Ellis the quickest).
    Now the stage is set for Mike Tyson, The Undisputed Champion to take on #1 HW Challenger, Muhammad Ali in Zaire in the fall of 1974 (Sept 23rd like the original date, no one gets cut in sparring).

    Who Wins. Who would be the favourite? What would be the odds?
     
    Showstopper97, Mar 22, 2022
    Showstopper97, Mar 22, 2022
    #1
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  2. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    Which one does the country/crowd side with?
     
    cross_trainer, Mar 22, 2022
    cross_trainer, Mar 22, 2022
    #2
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  3. Showstopper97

    Showstopper97 The Icon Full Member

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    Ali of course
     
    Showstopper97, Mar 22, 2022
    Showstopper97, Mar 22, 2022
    #3
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  4. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    Well, on the bright side, Tyson doesn't have as many options for partying in Zaire as there were in Tokyo.
     
    cross_trainer, Mar 22, 2022
    cross_trainer, Mar 22, 2022
    #4
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  5. Showstopper97

    Showstopper97 The Icon Full Member

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    :pancarta:
     
    Showstopper97, Mar 22, 2022
    Showstopper97, Mar 22, 2022
    #5
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  6. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

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    1988 Tyson beats any version of Ali outside of the Ali that was champ from 64-67
     
    JackSilver, Mar 22, 2022
    JackSilver, Mar 22, 2022
    #6
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  7. Showstopper97

    Showstopper97 The Icon Full Member

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    Agreed, although the 64 version was still somewhat green. Had Tyson had Ali hurt/disorientated the way Liston did in round 3-5, I think he'd take him out. I wonder how disappointed the crowd in Zaire would be if Tyson stopped their hero...
     
    Showstopper97, Mar 23, 2022
    Showstopper97, Mar 23, 2022
    #7
  8. Showstopper97

    Showstopper97 The Icon Full Member

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    Bump
     
    Showstopper97, Mar 24, 2022
    Showstopper97, Mar 24, 2022
    #8
  9. GOAT Primo Carnera

    GOAT Primo Carnera Member of the PC Fan Club Full Member

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    Since Tyson never went 15 and we lack any information on that, I´ll assume this one is a 12 round fight. 15 might be something else really.

    In Zaire, Ali lacked the movement to get away from George, so he adapted by fighting off the ropes. His most effective punch here was a straight right hand tagging George. Not by power, but via Foreman punching himself out, his rival finally found the ground.
    I don´t see both the avoidance tactics nor the punching very well suited against prime Mike, a fighter constructed to face Larry Holmes type guys. Alis biggest trait is durability, making it a tough bout for anybody. But I think he lacks the punching power here.

    --> Tyson wins a 12 round decision.
     
    GOAT Primo Carnera, Mar 25, 2022
    GOAT Primo Carnera, Mar 25, 2022
    #9
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  10. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    By the 12 th, Tyson is blown. Ali stops him in 13.
     
    Fergy, Mar 25, 2022
    Fergy, Mar 25, 2022
    #10
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  11. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    This sounds pretty good!

    The '74 Ali would be too much a handful for even a peak Tyson. Muhammad would still match him for hand and footspeed and would be too tough overall.
     
    Stevie G, Mar 25, 2022
    Stevie G, Mar 25, 2022
    #11
  12. Rakesh

    Rakesh Well-Known Member Full Member

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    This is 15 rounds of course, wouldn't make sense if it wasn't since its the 70s.

    Ali takes a MASSIVE beating from rounds 1-6, Tyson gradually slowing, I think an important part here is Tysons corner, Ali might not be able to pull off a rope a dope on Tyson, knowing his corner would tell him to not gas himself out, but I figure Ali would be able to not TOTALLY use the ropes the whole round, maybe move side to side then move and rest on that side of the ring instead.

    I'd take Ali by 14th round TKO, I don't see Tyson stopping Ali nor see Tyson being able to be in a 15 rounder and handle it well.
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2022
    Rakesh, Mar 25, 2022
    Rakesh, Mar 25, 2022
    #12
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  13. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I give Mike 10...the intimidation Ali would put on him, psychological tactics, bullying. It would be too much for Mike.
     
    RulesMakeItInteresting, Mar 25, 2022
    RulesMakeItInteresting, Mar 25, 2022
    #13
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  14. Showstopper97

    Showstopper97 The Icon Full Member

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    There was never a time in Tyson's prime (86-91) where he gassed out. This isn't gonna happen in the bout. Why do people still believe the myth of Tyson having bad stamina?

    Doubt it. Ali was flat-footed, got hit a lot & laid on the ropes too much. This is a recipe for disaster against a Prime Tyson, regardless of how durable Ali is - as Tyson wouldn't be a dope like Foreman.

    No he wouldn't. Tyson had quicker hands (in combinations) than Ali, & Ali was pretty flat-footed in Zaire.

    Tyson stopped plenty of durable guys. Ali was very durable, but laying on the ropes against a Prime Tyson is suicide - no matter who you are...
     
    Showstopper97, Mar 25, 2022
    Showstopper97, Mar 25, 2022
    #14
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  15. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Ali's biggest weapon, get inside the other guys noggin!
    By the time the fight half way through, Tyson s throwing bombs still but his mind is screaming!
     
    Fergy, Mar 25, 2022
    Fergy, Mar 25, 2022
    #15
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