FOTC Ali vs 1986 Mike Tyson

Mike was a great boxer but is there any other great boxer who relies on rewriting history and making us believe what we saw with our own eyes wasn't real to make us believe he was unbeatable?

 

actually, are we talking about the best Tyson from 1986 or Tyson from the fight with Tillis? Because Tyson probably fought 13 fights in 1986, in some he looked better (Frazier, Berbick) and in others worse. If we are talking about Tyson from the fight with Tillis, I change my vote and I bet on a high victory for Ali, if we are talking about Tyson from the fight with Berbick, I bet on Tyson.
Although I think the best Ali is the one from Clev Williams and the best Tyson is the one from Tyrell Biggs.

 

I know people generally don't like the comparison, but watch how Ali shellacked Joe for the first 5 or 6 rounds. I can't see Mike making it past that, Joe only did out of utter hate.

 

FOTC?

 

86 Tyson doesn't have the resume or portfolio to take on a FOTC Ali

 

He did win a close decision against The Fighting Cowboy.

 

People saying Tyson has no chance probably didn’t watch Ali vs Frazier 1. Ali was in terrible condition and basically a punching bag for Frazier for most of the fight.

 

This would be a GREAT matchup--I'd definitely pay top dollar for a ringside seat!!

As far as how I envision the outcome it would again come down to IMHO Tyson being able to put away Ali early with his usual blitzkrieg-like fast start. I don't see that happening. I think FOTC Ali wins by a UD or very late stoppage. It took an all time top 10 HW at his peak in Frazier fighting the fight of his life to beat Ali in 71'--and the punishment he absorbed was brutal!! I don't think Tyson--(even peak-years Tyson) had the same kind of toughness, stamina and sheer will to win at all costs.

 

Seems like the only guy who didn't watch the fight was you, lol.

 

He was still in good shape but was getting hit far too often.

 

It doesn't work like that at all, my friend... Tim Whitearspoon had absolutely no resume to defeat Larry Holmes in 1983 and he almost did it, Leon Spinks also didn't have it to take the belt from Ali in the 7th fight of his career and he did it. There is a difference between Ali 1978 and Ali 1971, and there is also a difference between Leon Spinks 6-1 and Tyson 27-0.
Tyson from the beginning of 1986 has no chance, but he was making colossal progress, at the end he was still fresh, had rhythm, enthusiasm, great form and was as fast as a Formula 1 car. He was faster than Frazier, he was stronger than Frazier, he had better defense, an iron jaw, versatility and explosiveness that none of them had fighters Ali fought with... He's not a simple Bonavena. The more I think about it, the more I see Tyson's chance

 

I just want to say The Fighting Cowboy is a great moniker. James Tillis should have come into the ring with a Black Cowboy hat and a holster.

 

I admit that I hadn't twigged we meant FOC Ali which makes things a little less clear but I think even that 'no man's land' somewhat diminished Ali still befuddles and ultimately batters Tyson. I don't think Mike was ever nearly as busy as Frazier and for so long. Joe drowned you from the first bell, a walking swarm with no other gear. Tyson was perhaps more clinical, equally as fast, and harder punching but I think it was Joe's relentless pace that enabled him to score that late knockdown. Tyson does not bring that heat for that long. Never did. He'd look great for half the fight then Ali will take over. I'll change my prediction from KO to Ali by a clear but perhaps closer than many though points decision.

 

This,, add Ali's mental toughness and Tyson's lack of it , and he's gone by the 12th if not sooner

 

Tyson fought in the mid range. Joe would get up in your grill. I never thought they were analogies for one another.