The 1988 version of Mike Tyson would beat the FOTC version of Muhammad Ali. I can't say the same for the 1967 Muhammad Ali version.
On the 15 rounds few before the blows taken by Shavers. In any case Ali would avenge eventual defeats. Tyson beat a still good but already old Holmes, dont forget it.
I give Marciano a good chance in scoring a W here. Most of the guys that could in theory beat Ali, Ali in theory could beat them. Ali would be the favorite going in vs most of these fellow greats. I also think because of the era and rules of the day, I give the likes of Johnson a GREAT chance to win, and under Barekuckle rules, even the Great John L could in theory score a victory over Ali.
Holyfield stands no chance whatsoever of beating Ali. None. Holyfield isn't strong enough to put Ali down, can't outbox him nor can he outwork a guy who was used to outworking other people for 15 rounds. The other thing is Holyfield has little to no experience going up against versatile guys like Ali who can fight on the backfoot. His habit of charging in would get him caught a lot by Ali's dancing jabs. None of this is counting in the fact that Holyfield at his peak struggled with an ancient Holmes and was nearly knocked down by an old Foreman. You think 71 Ali would've struggled against those two? I think not.
I give Marciano no chance of winning. Zero. Not a hope in hell. There are different levels. Ali is two levels above Marciano in terms of skill and athleticism.
Don Dunphy is in your camp - he bracketed Louis, Ali and Marciano as the greatest Heavies. He actually favored Marciano to beat Ali.
Do you think so because Muhammad Ali has a score of 11:0 in rematches (second and possibly third fight with the same opponent); 2x Joe Frazier, 2x Ken Norton, Leon Spinks, Joe Bugner, Jerry Quarry, George Chuvalo, Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and Henry Cooper?
Ali like Lewis avenged all their defeats. I dont consider the fights with Holmes and Berbick because he was already sicko. Holmes and Foreman didnt. Heres why I have Ali and Lewis in the top five ever.
I never thought Rocky Marciano has a GOOD chance of beating Muhammad Ali. I only said he has A chance, because of styles. I would say one in ten, since a lot of things can happen and I do not rank Rocky Marciano THAT far below Muhammad Ali. As a Boxing Fan, you are a lot more confident in Heavyweight fantasy fights than I am. When talking about long time Lineal Heavyweight Champions of the World, I cannot think of one match up where I would give one of the guys zero chance of winning, especially when the favorite is facing a troublesome style.
Mike Tyson would have a very good shot same as Larry Holmes. As far as fighters who wouldve beaten 60s Ali, I think Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko and Lennox Lewis would have
It doesn’t change what I said, Holmes at that stage wasn’t the threat Ali was in his prime and still might’ve beat Holyfield, Bowe wasn’t a great boxer he only knew how to fight one way and Evander also didn’t outbox him. Again he didn’t outbox his best scalps he isn’t going to outbox Ali. Holyfield ate jabs like tic tacs…
What does Ali look least convincing against - swarming, awkward styles, fast strong left hooks. Usyk, David Tua, Klitschko has a good left hook but would he land it. Morrison? Maybe all a bit left field... but look at who he struggled with. Ken Norton, who at the time was not hugely known. Leon Spinks (mitigating circumstances) Frazier (fired up by personal insults, but a swarmer with a good left hook) Shavers (big banger, but certainly not slow) He didn't really have too much trouble with bigger guys: Foreman Lyle Bugner Terrell But admittedly he was normally the bigger guy.