Muhammad ALi.. Vs Mike Tyson

A'mato trained Tyson was NOT one dimensional or easy to hit. A while after the man died, Tyson stopped employing the bobbing and weaving he used to get past larger opponents jabs and get inside. His defense was just as outstanding as his offense. The Tyson that destroyed Spinks pre-Douglas that is the prime Tyson. It is clear Tyson was not bobbing and weaving or using much combination punching like he is used to against Douglas. He was throwing 1-2 punches at the most just trying to land a lucky punch.

Ali that beat Foreman still beat Tyson IMO. I don't think the rope a dope would of been as effective on Tyson as it was on Foreman, but it would still be effective and get to Tyson mentally. Ali would tie him up and land flush right hands on him. Ali too smart and would have no fear at all of Tyson. Ali SD 15 Tyson

 

this may go on a trilogy with ali taking the rubber much

 

Tyson after round 6-7 slows considerably, so I'd agree with you upto that point.

I wouldn't say 'easy' but much more hittable than early rounds.

 

Not a prime Tyson.


Keith

 

If Ken Norton could break Ali's jaw and have it hanging off his face like he did I'm sure Tyson could have hurt him too. :nod

No punchers chance. So quickly people forget what Henry Cooper (nowhere near the speed or punching power of Tyson) did to Ali in their first fight before it was stopped on cuts.

Fast forward to 3:00 into the fight:

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That being said no way Tyson lasts a full 15 with Ali if it was to go that far. Ali was the king of the 15 rounders. :yep

 

when I think of this fight i think of Buster douglas and Joe frazier.

I know, I know, tyson was past his prime in the douglas fight but douglas tried to emulate ali (albeit he did a very bad job) and he had the style that was able to beat Tyson.

Ali beat his eras version of Tyson (smokin joe) 2 out 0f 3 times, plus he was past his prime.

So in my mind Ali would win by UD. He was not afraid of Big george, liston, smokin joe, shaver, terrell so he would not be intimated by tyson. the Ali that fought williams would beat tyson going away. Who knows how good Ali would have been if he did not have that long "Vacation" was '66 vs williams his best or would he have been better in '67-70?

 

Ali has more skills but damn IF tyson hits him really hard I doubt if ali can even stand up!

 

I think Ali would circle and jab all night, Tyson would catch him here and there but wouldn't put him away before Ali could clinch or spin out and away. Tyson would start breaking down very late in the fight, Ali cruises to a points victory or a late stoppage. I just don't think there's ever been a HW fighter who could deal with Ali's handspeed, movement, reflexes and durability at his peak.

I have Tyson as a top 5 ATG heavyweight though, maybe top 3.

 

Every fighter has their kryptonite, there was just something about Norton that bothered Ali. That said, I doubt he'd have been much trouble for Ali in 1968. Re Cooper, he just landed a beautiful shot, it happens to the best of fighters, boxing is a rough ****ing game and you're gonna get hit, even if you're Muhammad Ali. Do you think there's anyone that could one-shot Ali? Even Tyson?

Re Foreman era Ali beating the best version of Tyson, I don't think so. It would take the best Ali to beat the best Tyson. Going to the ropes against Iron Mike is suicide, his combinations are frantic, he punches from all angles, and he's a much sharper and quicker than George, with comparable power. You can absorb thudding blows like Foreman's if you're ready for them. It's much harder to just eat those quick, clean punches flowing in rapid-fire Tyson style combinations.

 

You are talking about one of the mentally strongest sportspeople that has ever competed against a weak willed bully who didnt like it when the people he punched , decided it was ok to punch back.

I give Tyson next to zero chance on his mental state alone. At no time in his career can he compete with someone like Ali - even without the ridiculous skills Ali had. Tyson was beat as soon as somebody stood up to him

 

Your dead nuts wrong.
Ali would pick him apart no problem.
Prime Ali had way too much speed and skill.
No comparison.

 

Thats not a prime ALI.
Watch the Listen fight.
Even then he wasnt at his prime.

 

I honestly think that the '70 version of Ali would fare better than the '66 version because the younger version didn't have the mental toughness or heart to break Tyson psychologically...which we know now is the key to beating him...

 

man U were not breaking a prime tyson No way man. He would of grab a chair hit ally with it and just me that more pump up to Knock him out. No saying tyson would win tho. But ali was sure not winning this before the bell ring.

 

I'd have to say Ali. Of course maybe 1/5 tyson, if he gets really lucky really early, but Ali had a solid chin and he absorbed punches so he wasn't taking them flush.