Muhammad Ali (Prime) Vs Mike Tyson (Prime)

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Main Event: Muhammad Ali vs. Mike Tyson

This is the fight everyone has been waiting for. Perhaps the number one talked about fantasy matchup in boxing, with the two biggest stars in the history of the heavyweight division going head-to-head.

The build-up, the drama, the controversy … everything is on another level as two of the biggest personalities finally square off to see who will stand tall once the dust has settled.

Taking a step back, the fighters actually have quite a bit of shared history. While Tyson was in a youth detention centre, he actually met Ali after watching his movie The Greatest. Tyson described this moment in his life as the catalyst that got him into boxing.

A young Tyson also used to listen in to calls between his trainer Cus D’Amato and Ali, just to hear what they were talking about.

Once Tyson was the champ, both sat on the same couch during the Arsenio Hall show in 1989. When asked by the host who would have won, Ali said he would dance around but when hit he feigned being knocked out. Tyson simply said, “Ali is the greatest of all time.”

After Tyson’s loss to Douglas, Ali actually called a boxing journalist and claimed, “Are people now going to stop asking who would have won between us in our primes?”

Analysing the tale of the tape, Tyson is significantly shorter by five inches and has a smaller reach by seven inches, with their weight being about even.

Ali has never been the hardest hitter and Tyson clearly has the power advantage. Tyson relies on speed and explosiveness, however I can’t see this being too much of an issue for Ali, who is even faster with both hands and feet. Ali also has the better chin, endurance, stamina, ring IQ and heart.

The key for Tyson will be to get Ali out of there early.

Once the fight is signed, Tyson comes into the press tour full of praise for his opponent, claiming this to be the honour of his career.

Ali, on the other hand, is in no such mood, proudly claiming to knock out the little bulldog (the name he coined Tyson with). During interviews, Ali brings along a toy bulldog and punches it in the face, constantly taunting and trying his best to humiliate Tyson at every turn.

Coming from the streets of Brooklyn there’s only so much disrespect one can take, and Tyson finally snaps. Things almost come to blows when a pissed off Tyson shouts back that Ali “won’t be pretty after he meets my fists”, then scandalously proclaims that he will make Ali his “little *****” in the ring.

Some observers rightfully claim this was a strategy by Ali to get into Tyson’s head and play mind games.

Tickets for this super fight sell out in record time. Even though they are priced at a premium, fans have flocked from around the world to the famous Madison Square Garden. All box office records have been broken, with broadcasters clamouring to show the fight.

The boxing world is split, struggling to agree on who will win. One thing is for sure, by the time the main event starts the crowd will be at fever pitch.

With both fighters in the ring, Tyson stares ahead menacingly, trying to psyche out his opponent. Ali keeps trash talking, with the ref having to tell him to shut up while he gives the final instructions.

The fight starts with Tyson coming forward and throwing some hard body shots, following this up with some powerful hooks to the head. Ali is able to slip most of the shots and fires back with some fast combinations of his own. When they tie up Ali continues whispering in Tyson’s ear, infuriating the Brooklyn native.

The first few rounds consist of Ali circling Tyson and throwing his fast jab, following it up with three-four punch combos – all straight shots – then gliding out of range. The Greatest’s strategy is pretty clear; with his superior foot speed he is staying just out of range, with his shorter foe struggling to land his hardest shots.

By Round Five Tyson is clearly behind and is enraged. He comes flying out of his corner and throws some scary blows.

Ali stays a little too long in the pocket and Tyson finally lands a flush left hook, which sends Muhammed crashing into the ropes. He manages to stay upright, grabbing hold of the marauding Tyson and whispering in his ear, “Is that all you got, sucka?”

Tyson keeps letting his fists fly, but Ali is too experienced and avoids most of the attacks. At best a glancing blow or two lands, reminding Ali of the power his rival possesses.

As the fight progresses Ali has an answer for all of Tyson’s attacks. While they tie up Ali mercilessly taunts him, leans on him and pushes his head down, sapping Tyson of much needed energy.

By Round Ten Tyson is pretty deflated. His left eye has swollen closed and a gash above his right eye has opened up, causing blood to pour into his eye.

Tyson’s corner is yelling at him to give everything he has. Even though it has been a tough fight, Ali is still dancing around and firing off attacks like it’s the first round.

Iron Mike is now getting desperate. Knowing he’s behind on the cards, his punches are becoming wilder, something Ali is happy to take advantage of as he lands a string of shots and knocks Kid Dynamite down for the first time in the fight.

Tyson makes the count. The ref takes a very close look but lets the fight continue.

Ali comes in and lands another great flurry. The commentators are questioning how Tyson is staying up. Another overhand right from Ali sends Tyson stumbling to the ropes and the ref finally steps in, waving the fight off.

The audience are stunned, having witnessed a masterful performance by the Greatest who came into the fight with the perfect game plan and executed it flawlessly.

Verdict: TKO win to Ali in Round Ten.

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Ali defeats Tyson before the fight even starts. Mike won fights through intimidating his opponents. Ali would come up with a nickname for Mike, taunt him mercilessly pre fight in all the pressers so much that the mentally fragile Tyson is a wreck entering the ring.

People this Tyson will hurt Ali with hooks to the body? Ever hear of rope a dope?

Ali busts up Tyson with lacerating jabs, stops Mike late.

 

Tyson has no chance whatsoever against Ali

 

Your first paragraph sums up what I've always thought it is a vital and overlooked aspect of this fight.

Ali would've been deep into Tyson's brain, with it dawning on Tyson halfway through the fight that he can't win this fight, prior to him then being taken apart and stopped.

 

lol

 

Ali beat a prime George Foreman. And that wasn’t even close to the best version of Ali.

So, regardless of styles making fights, there is nothing Tyson has in his kit bag that remotely bothers Ali. The best version of both fighters sees Ali running rings around Tyson and giving him a boxing lesson like nothing else.

Ali in a shutout. 12-0 or 15-0.

 

1988 Tyson would beat any version of Clay/Ali imo

 

When both were asked this question they said the other man would win. Intimidation won’t work, the only man Ali said he was scared of was Liston.

Only FOTC Frazier in my eyes beats pre-exile Ali, unless he gets careless for a moment that’s only when Tyson can capitalize.