Which fight do you watch if you can only watch one and only one

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Oct 9, 2025 at 7:50 AM.


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  1. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    The magic boxing fairy appears to you and will grant your wish to watch one fight and you will see exactly how the fight goes with both fighters in their prime. Do you watch:

    Muhammad Ali 1967 vs Mike Tyson 1988
    Or
    Muhammad Ali 1967 vs Joe Louis 1939

    Choose wisely
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Oct 9, 2025 at 7:50 AM
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Oct 9, 2025 at 7:50 AM
    #1
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  2. Stewart Swift

    Stewart Swift New Member Full Member

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    Ali
    Lewis
    Marciano
    Louis
    Tyson
    Usyk

    Any combination out of that would be entertaining i think.
     
    Stewart Swift, Oct 9, 2025 at 8:19 AM
    Stewart Swift, Oct 9, 2025 at 8:19 AM
    #2
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  3. PRW94

    PRW94 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Greb vs. Monzon
     
    PRW94, Oct 9, 2025 at 8:57 AM
    PRW94, Oct 9, 2025 at 8:57 AM
    #3
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  4. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Prime Duran v Prime Chavez Sr.
     
    Clinton, Oct 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
    Clinton, Oct 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
    #4
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  5. Noel857

    Noel857 I Am Duran Full Member

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    Ray Robinson v Ray Leonard
     
    Noel857, Oct 9, 2025 at 9:02 AM
    Noel857, Oct 9, 2025 at 9:02 AM
    #5
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  6. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Between the two listed in the OP I would watch a prime Ali from the late 60s against the prime Tyson who was on a rampage in the late 80s. Tyson's faster start and aggression would make it an interesting fight to see against a young Ali.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Oct 9, 2025 at 9:08 AM
    Flo_Raiden, Oct 9, 2025 at 9:08 AM
    #6
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  7. steve21

    steve21 Well-Known Member

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    Ali-Tyson; I know purists insist Louis would have been a great matchup for Ali, but I think Muhammad outquicks him ...

    But Tyson in 1988? Probably peak, and I don't think Ali ever saw anyone with that combination of speed and power. He was still trained under Rooney who knew him inside and out, and that might help nullify Muhammad's uncanny ability to psych out his opponents (in Thomas Hauser's Ali biography, he even describes his strategy for Tyson against Muhammad). Other side, I don't think Tyson ever fought anyone with Ali's speed and conditioning - the 1967 Ali would and could dance all night; but I don't think he was as tough as post-exile Ali, who had to discover how tough he really was when his best tools weren't there anymore.

    1967 Ali by decision, but not without moments of drama ...
     
    steve21, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:10 PM
    steve21, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:10 PM
    #7
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  8. Woller1

    Woller1 Member Full Member

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    My all time favorite: Matthew Franklin (later Saad Muhammad) v Richie Kates. You cannot ask for more drama in six rounds.
     
    Woller1, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
    Woller1, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
    #8
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  9. slash

    slash Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Holyfield (prime) vs. the immovable object- Rocky Marciano
    That fight could go only one way.. balls out.. falls count
     
    slash, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
    slash, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
    #9
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  10. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    No Ali vs Tyson or Ali vs Louis
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:32 PM
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:32 PM
    #10
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  11. Lonsdale81

    Lonsdale81 Member Full Member

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    Greb vs Langford
     
    Lonsdale81, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM
    Lonsdale81, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM
    #11
  12. Noel857

    Noel857 I Am Duran Full Member

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    Ali v Tyson
    Would have been awesome
     
    Noel857, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:46 PM
    Noel857, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:46 PM
    #12
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  13. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mauling Mormon’s Full Member

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    lol no one read the thread OP, sorry Jake, for my 0.2$ it’s Tyson vs Ali so I can have a years supply of Aliophile tears.
     
    Journeyman92, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:49 PM
    Journeyman92, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:49 PM
    #13
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  14. steve21

    steve21 Well-Known Member

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    Seems like a lot of people grabbed onto the title and didn't read the fine print ...
     
    steve21, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:49 PM
    steve21, Oct 9, 2025 at 1:49 PM
    #14
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  15. PRW94

    PRW94 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    DUH I didn’t read the fine print or more accurately it sailed over my head. :(

    Ali-Louis. Ali would beat the s**t out of Tyson, would be a mismatch. Ali-Louis would be the classic.
     
    PRW94, Oct 9, 2025 at 2:42 PM
    PRW94, Oct 9, 2025 at 2:42 PM
    #15
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