Muhammad Ali vs Mike Tyson [from The Ring Magazine 2003 Annual Issue Vol. 2]

Tyson’s strengths: The peak Tyson was far better than the heavy-handed banger of recent years. He punched in sus tained combinations, bringing hooks from body to chin, and his head movement made him hard to tag. Despite his 72-inch re he had a fine jab, and despite three stoppage losses, a good chin. He was extremely aggressive and strong for his size, and intimidated almost everyone he fought.

Tyson’s weaknesses: His Achilles heel was his unsettled mind, and Ali specialized in messing with minds. Former aide Teddy Atlas called Tyson a classic bully—great going forward, but wobbly when resistance is fierce. There were early hints of vulnerability (well before Buster Douglas and Evander Holyfield stopped him): the jab- and-move James Tillis held him to a close decision, Bonecrusher Smith tied him up, Tony Tucker and Frank Bruno shook him. Emanuel Steward said Tyson “always had trouble with big, strong, well-skilled heavyweights”—as Lennox Lewis proved by outboxing him and then battering him to defeat.

Ali’s strengths: His phenomenal foot speed and amazing reflexes meant he took few punches in his prime (and when caught, he would turn his head to limit the impact). He had one of the best- ever chins (dropped four times, but never stopped until his second- to-last fight). His 82-inch reach allowed him to work from a safe dis tance, using that long, fast jab to set up dazzling combinations, while taunting his opponent to help break down resistance. Perfect timing and accuracy enabled him to stop men noted for durability.

Ali’s weaknesses: An arm puncher who seldom put full weight behind his blows, he neglected bodypunching and his in-fighting was restricted to hooking his glove around his opponent’s neck. On his way up, he was dropped by Sonny Banks and Henry Cooper. As the champion, he was temporarily befuddled by Karl Mildenberger’s southpaw style. Steward said Ali had problems with “physically strong guys who were not intimidated by him—like Kenny Norton,” Tyson was stronger and harder hitting than Norton.

Style matchup: The 5’11”, 218-pound Tyson fought behind a peek-a-boo guard, shifting his head and rolling his shoulders while pressing forward. The 6’3”, 211-pound Ali circled the ring, boxing behind that long left jab, his hands at waist level. He would move in and out quickly with rapid-fire combinations and lean away from incoming flak.

Outcome: Angered by Ali’s prefight taunts, Tyson launches a furious attack, but Ali dances away, before stepping in with a lead right. Tyson, however, surprises Ali with his own speed, landing four hooks to the body and head. Ali goes down, but is up quickly. From then on, Ali jabs and moves while talking to Tyson. Iron Mike becomes frustrated and is warned for fouls. His punches lose steam and no longer arrive in bunches. In the 12th, Tyson makes a desper ate charge, and Ali drops him with a perfectly timed right. In the 13th, it is Ali who attacks, dropping Tyson again with a six-punch combination. Tyson clambers to his feet, but the referee has seen enough.