Despite all the matchup debates, would Tyson have fought Muhammad Ali or would he duck him?

I do not beleive that Iron Mike Tyson would have avoided George Foreman. But against a prime 1967 Muhammad Ali, he might have. Cus D Amato, Tyson's legendary trainer saw Ali humiliate his fighter, Floyd Patterson, on Nov 22 1965, in Las Vegas, for 12 rounds, before the stoppage. Patterson is not Tyson, by any means. But Muhammad would get into Mike's head, and remember Tyson had anger issues, as well anxiety issues, that has been made public. Remember Douglas took Tyson into uncharted territory, and made Mike appear one dimensional, by using lateral movement and keeping him on the outside with his jab. Ali has more speed, better foot work, and better reflexes than Buster. Realizing that Tyson is as dangerous as Sonny Liston was, Ali, along with Angelo Dundee would have devised a perfect game plan, meant to thwart Tyson's power, by staying on the move. Remember back then Muhammad could stay on the move without tiring for 15 rounds. Tyson would quit on his stool against Ali, after all that taunting, head games, and pure exhaustion. D Amato knowing this ahead of time, would avoid Ali, just as Yank Durham publicly avoided a 1967 Muhammad Ali, for Joe Frazier, by saying Joe was too green. Styles do make fights, as the saying goes.

 

Avoided...I think prime Mike would have wisely avoided the 60s and earliest 70s (up to and including FOTC) Ali.

Mike would have looked really bad against the 60s Ali (though better than against Louis, who would have caught him coming in very early on and become the hammer to his nail).

If Mike tried that intimidation thing on Ali the latter would have drawn the fight out, carrying Mike just to make him look ineffective and stumbling and winning a practical shut out decision.

If Ali didn't hold a grudge, Mike gets stopped or quits in eight.

70s Ali was (like post-Norton Holmes) much more apt to come down off his toes and really punch; you can see full shoulder and hip oscillation on the right way more often. This would be a more competitive fight. But Mike still gets stopped in 10 imo.

I have hugely more respect for Mike since I've been on this forum. But prime Ali, Holmes, Foreman, Liston, and Louis knock Mike silly and his best bet would have been to make like a quacker and duck BWA!

Sorry, I'm hopelessly corny.

 

For all Tyson faults one thing nobody can accuse him of is ducking anybody, don't be ridiculous.