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

It's not really a case of bad stamina but punching at a guy that's laughing at you, whilst he's catching you back, over the course of 12 /13 rounds and in the heat of Zaire, is gonna take a lot out of a man!

 

A faded Muhammad Ali laying on the ropes against a prime a Mike Tyson ? Tyson would massacre him.

And I'm not trying to sound like, one of them Tyson fan boys. But i just don't see the rope a dope tactic working on Tyson.

Tyson picked his punches alot better than Foreman, so he wouldn't be wasting his punches like Foreman. Tyson was also way faster than Foreman, and didn't have stamina issues like Foreman.

Tyson would be like surgeon, just picking his punches. While Ali is laying on the ropes taking a battering.

No man lays on the ropes, and let's a prime Mike Tyson hit you at will. And survives I don't care who you are.

 

I agree that Ali being more flat feeted (compared to 67' Ali) would be a major factor in this fight (In Tyson's favor).

I agree too that Ali using the rope a dope against Tyson would be disaster.

But I am quite certain that a boxer with ring IQ of Ali, would find a way to spoil Tyson's offense, and wear him down in the 2nd half of the fight. As many pointed to: This would be a 15 round fight, which is certainly in Ali's favor. I doubt that Tyson could do enough damage to Ali within the first 6-8 rounds, to keep the advantage post the 12th round.

I am leaning towards Ali stoppage in the 14th round.

 

Napoleon said the moral to the physical is three to one. He was talking about war but it applies here. Muhammad Ali wasn't going to be denied when he fought Big George.

 

You make a good point but for me, Tyson throws more correct sharper punches than a young Foreman and is also alot faster aswell. Tyson wouldn't be wailing away at Ali on the ropes, he would be picking his shots and landing devasting fast combinations.

Could i see a young Ali who still had his lightning fast footwork winning a decision vs a prime Tyson ? of course. But a faded Ali laying on the ropes against a peak Tyson ? no not a chance for me.

I'm just remembering instances where a few Tyson opponents, tried going against the ropes and got absolutely hammered. With devasting combinations to the body and head. I just can't see a faded Ali laying on the ropes all night taking that kind of punishment.

 

1988 Tyson beats any version of Ali including the Ali that was champ from 64-67

 

74 Ali did not match Tyson's handspeed. And given that he cannot run from him, Tyson KOs him in under 5 rounds.

 

This will only be a 12 round fight and Ali never sees the 6th

 

Tyson beats any version of Ali

 

Stupid cliches that aren't true. Tyson won't be affected one bit.

 

Brilliant post

 

Tyson isn’t knocking Ali out. I’m not a big Ali fan and have grown to be a bigger Tyson fan over the years. That said Ali would frustrate Tyson. Work that jab throw some combinations etc….. Clinch hold rope a dope etc…… no not a rope a dope all fight. Tyson would get frustrated real easy when he can’t knock Ali out and Ali is actually fighting back. 88 Tyson is no different than the Tyson that fought Douglas in that matter. And I think Douglas on that nite beats any version of Tyson. So point is Ali would do it that much better and easier…… Just like a Prime Holmes beats Tyson

 

This I agree with.

Yikes, not at all sure on that one, my friend. Mike was fighting weird (for him) that night imo.