I think prime Mike Tyson could have dominated the early 1970's heavyweight scene

No reason to doubt your assessment

 

The Swagster once again nails it!!

 

Good post.
One of the things you touched on ( Tyson's Emotional weakness) is one of the interesting aspects that I wanted to look at back in 1990 when Foreman/Tyson was being discussed.
I think by the time Foreman was done working over Tyson in all the press conferences and interviews etc Mike would have been looking for a place to lie down by the time the fight came. If Big George said 'shut up boy! I'm your daddy!' Mike wouldn't be sure he was lying.

 

That is because Muhammad Ali, only boxed 18 rounds in 3 and one half years, stopping Jerry Quarry, in 3 rounds, on Oct 26 1970, and Oscar Bonavena,TKO 15, on Dec 7 1970. Had prime Tyson fought prime Ali back in 1967, let us say, Feb 6 1967, when he outpointed Ernie Terrell, over 15 rounds, no Rope A Dope, or lack of footwork, speed,and stamina. I do agree with you on the 1970's version of Ali.

 

He avenged that loss twice, defeated Norton twice as well as Foreman. Not to mention, Shavers, Lyle, Ellis, Foster (both), Quarry 2X, Bonavena. Need I go on?

 

I think that Prime iron Mike Tyson defeats everyone except Prime George Foreman, based on his early destruction of Joe Frazier and Ken Norton. Foreman had size and power, and never gave anyone time to set up their punches, but lacked stamina. Ali was not the same after the enforced idleness of 3 and a half years, due to his draft evasion conviction of June 20 1967. Ali's last fight having been on March 22 1967, TKO 7, of Zora Folley. As I have said, he lacked the tools that he had in his arsenal back in 1967, footwork, reflexes, speed,and stamina. Tyson would have slaughtered Jerry Quarry. He would have worn down Oscar Bonavena, and would have obliterated Ken Norton. Another fighter that he would have kayoed, would have been Earnie Shavers, who was kayoed by Jerry Quarry in round 1. Pretty much Iron Mike would have dominated the division.

 

To dominate you have to be number 1, Ali wasn't seen as the clear number 1 until 74, after he beat Foreman.

So he didn't dominate the early 70s, he was just a top contender who'd already lost to the champ

 

i am certain tyson shares the view. NOT!

 

I think Tyson would probably plough through a lot of the same fighters that Ali, Frazier and Foreman did, but it's no sure thing. As for Ali, Frazier and Foreman themselves, 'dominance' is not the first word that springs to mind, in terms of Tyson's speculative success against them.

 

He would have beaten post-FOTC Frazier but been chopped to the ground against anything from Mathis to FOTC-Joe.

Other than that, Mike would have suffered Frazier's fate against Foreman (only he would have been unconscious), 70s Ali would have grabbed and held to a decision (closer fight), and Holmes would have stopped him in 8 (watch Larry's fights from the first Shavers to Leon...Mike can't beat that guy, he said so himself).

Mike would have held his own for awhile against all but Foreman, who had just enough hand speed back then to catch him coming in the way Holy did in their first fight. Only, Mike would have been completely knocked cold (or given up and faked it).

 

Yes, yes he could. The 70's were a great decade and Tyson did well against all styles of fighters. A ton of the 70's bunch made their name because they took it to a past it Ali. Or had the style to befuddle Foreman. The 80's were full of big men who were mobile and could both box and punch.

Tyson would do well in the 70's. I think he would dominate. Nobody was saying he couldn't dominate those guys until his skills declined. So...

 

No form of Tyson beats a prime Foreman. Ends badly for him. He has a shot at older Ali and Frazier.

 

Lol!
Prime Foreman would bounce him off the canvas like a basketball!

 

it would have always been a situation where he does well until he is extended and hit a little and the tables turn.