Could a prime Mike Tyson actually dominate Ali?

I couldn't stand Mike Tyson. I thought he was a thug in boxing shorts, and for a long time I was of the opinion that Ali's psychological warfare would derail Mike. Now I am not so sure.

Prime Tyson was lethal. He had speed, variety, power and viciousness.

More than that he had a very good chin and a cracking left hook. Is it possible that Tyson could be so physically troublesome to Ali that the mental side of Ali's game would be nullified?

People seem to have no problem picking Tyson to destroy Frazier, yet Joe gave Ali life and death in 3 fights, beating him in one. If Ali and Frazier were so closely matched, why is it beyond reason to suggest Tyson might be too much for Ali?

I know some will mention styles, but did Ali have the pop to keep Tyson at bay for 15 rounds? He couldn't contain Frazier.

Is it really so outlandish to give Tyson a real chance?

 

Nothing can be proven, but I think prime Ali would beat Tyson quite comfortably.

 

Could go either way. Muhammad Ali was obviously the much better fighter on most levels.. He beat the better competition. Was a better adapter. Demonstrated a higher level of heart, will, staying power, etc.. But there are some stylistic issues that I can being a problem for him when facing Mike Tyson.. He was prone to getting hit with the left hook. Didn't like guys who slipped his jab and were able to get in close. And Tyson certainly had the hand speed and tenacity to catch him.. Ring size would be a big factor here as would the scheduled number of rounds and which renditions of these men we're talking about.

 

Frankly, I think Alis habit of leaning back with his hands at his waist to avoid punches would be a recipe for disaster against the power and handspeed of a prime Tyson.

74 Ali is a different proposition, however.

 

I always felt a prime Tyson would be a bad match-up for any version of Ali. Ali had a habit of fighting backing up and that never worked against Mike at his best. Ali was incredibly fast and could snap a jab in Tyson's face as well as anyone, but Tyson never had much of an issue closing distance and slipping jabs when he was young. Ali also tended to drop his hands a lot when jabbing/backing up, and as amazing as he was at avoiding punches, I think Tyson would always have a chance to catch him with an explosive left hook that changes the course of the fight.

IMO, either Tyson wins a decision because he is seen by the judges as the over-whelming aggressor or he knocks Ali out somewhere between rounds 5 and 8. Of course, I would only have Tyson as a slight favorite and I would never discount the possibility that Ali could outpoint him.

 

Ali would have to fight very "seriously" against Tyson...at least for the first 8 rounds. No "clowning", talking, and that type of stuff.

Ali's natural weakness could be utilized by Tyson's strengths.

 

no way Tyson dominates ali.

he might well hurt him a few times, but he isn't stopping him. rather the hurt will travel the other way, on aggregate damage.

 

I too favor Ali.. But him taking the win is no given. Henry Cooper decked him with left hook. Frazier did the same and also beat him.. Ken Norton Broke his jaw and arguably won two out of three fights against him. George Chuvalo stayed on his tail all night long and made him work for the win in their first meeting.. If these guys could expose Ali, so could Tyson.

 

This is so biased beyond belief.

 

In which direction?

 

No, it is a balanced take.

If you do a cold ****ysis of this match-up you don't reach a definite conclusion. Actually you rarely do when it comes to such quality fighters if they aren't separated by several generations or weight classes.

 

You've cried wolf so often I don't know if you are serious or not!
What you said makes sense, but is it just part of your cunning plan???

 

Watched the FOTC again recently. Frazier caught Ali in the head with the left hook over and over...wicked, nasty shots. I think Tyson could do the same, but go a step further. I think he'd be a lot of trouble for Ali.

 

Sure. But Ali was about as close to his prime for that fight as Tyson was for Holyfield.

 

Arguably the two most evasive heavyweights ever. when I imagine a fight between 88 Tyson and 67 Ali over 15 rounds I see a very technical fight with lots of feinting in between spurts of technical agression from both, both would be missing a lot of punches, for me either of them could win by knockout or decision.