Could Ali rope a dope Tyson.

Ali would have lead Tyson round the ring like farmer leads a bull with a ring through its nose.

I can see Tysons face swelled up, cut and bleeding while he desperately charges at a target that isn't where he thought it was.

On the rare occasions that Tyson gets close enough, Ali shows that he's no slouch when he has to plant his feet and actually gets the better of the exchange before slipping away from Mike and resuming his beating.

It would be either a late round stoppage on humanitarian grounds or a brutal 12/15 round pummeling that Tyson would never fully recover from.

 

:roll::roll: Go back to the general forum.

 

Rope-a-dope would fail vs prime Tyson.

70s Ali vs prime Tyson would be a war, dont know who would win personally.

60s Ali outpoints Tyson to a UD, just to good IMO.

 

As much of a Tyson fan that I am, I agree that Ali could have very possibly found a way to beat Tyson (both in their primes). But it is difficult to imagine Ali winning backing up as he does or the rope a dope. Ali may have just found a way and that performance would have even more catipulted him to being "The Greatest." That is what makes this match up so capitvating. But stylistically Tyson seems to very likely be able to KO Ali. Rope-a-dope or backing up are not the best strategies to beat Tyson. Clinching and punching on the release (Holyfield), or duplicating Douglas (which Ali could possibly do). Rope-a-dope almost a definite no.. KO or stoppage for Tyson.

 

But then again Theclans' post I could so see happening, but more likely with a post prison Tyson.

 

Rope-a-doping Tyson would result in horrors. No ****ing way.

 

The rope-a-dope was perfect for Foreman because he threw wide, winging punches and used up all his energy. A prime Tyson was much more economical and accurate with his punches. Even so Ali starts as the favourite in my book against Tyson - prime vs prime - on the basis of his faster hand and foot speed. It would have been close though and Tyson would have had a chance of a KO if he decked Ali and hurt him like Cooper did.

 

Solid Post

You don't beat Tyson by rope a doping.

If Ali tried that method he'd be stopped by the 7th-8th round. Tyson made his punches count and if he has a lazy opponent in front of him- he'll certainly produce another highlight reel.