1) Muhammad Ali- Was the quickest heavyweight of all time of hand and foot. Had the best chin in heavyweight championship history. Had an underrated punch as evidenced by his KOs of Oscar Bonavena and George Foreman, neither of which were previously or subsequently knocked out. Fought during what is arguably the best era of heavyweight boxing fighting the likes of: Sonny Liston, Floyd Patterson, Henry Cooper, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Jerry Quarry, Earnie Shavers, Ron Lyle, Bonavena, Jimmy Ellis, and George Foreman. Ali's longevity is magnificent. Historically, it is usually the power hitters who are able to hold on longer to their careers because it is said that a fighter's punch is the last thing to leave them while a boxer's skills, speed and reflexes, are the first to leave any fighter. Ali's forte was speed, mobility and reflexes, (although he had an underrated punch), yet he continued to succeed despite his eroding skills. That's very telling about the outstanding fighter he was. 2) Joe Louis- (Pictured knocking out Max Schemling in their historic rematch.) The longest reign of any heavyweight champion, (over 11 years), with the most title defenses, (25). I think most of his opposition would've taken a back seat to Ali's had they all been in the same eras. Jack Sharkey, Primo Carnera, Jimmy Braddock, and Tony Galento were nothing that great. Galento was a Golden Age punching bad/tough guy, and Braddock was a Golden Age Buster Douglas. The only greats Louis fought in his time were an ill-prepared Max Baer, Max Schemling and Jersey Joe Walcott. Even so, he possessed beautiful combinations and unparralleled punching power. A great fighter. 3)Evander Holyfield- One of the great warriors of all time. It's still hard to analyze where Evander goes in this list because he's still active. I had him in my top 5, but now I got him at #7. Even so, he undoubtably belongs in everybody's top 10. Great combination puncher, good left hook, good chin, and a great heart. Positively scary when it came to rebounding from potentially disastrous moments in fights. Up to now, has beaten all of the top opposition of his time except Lennox Lewis. James Tillis, Pinklon Thomas, Buster Douglas, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Bert Cooper, Alex Stewart, Mike Tyson, and Michael Moorer. #4) "Big" George Foreman-- Today, George Foreman is known more for his grill than his boxing skills. Although the grill is quite handy, I will always think of George Foreman as one of the most vicious sluggers in boxing history. He was a relatively unknown boxer until his championship bout with Joe Frazier in Jamaica on January 22nd 1973. This fight would change that forever. He knocked Frazier down 7 times, and the referee finally stopped the fight in the 2nd round. His punching power was awe-inspiring and that fight would be tough to watch for even the most masochistic of people. He then went on to pulverize Ken Norton only a few months thereafter. He then lost his title to Ali in "The Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974. This sent Foreman into a deep depression, and he left boxing for good in 1977. He would return in a shocking comeback that started at the age of 38 in 1987. No one gave him any chance to be competitive, but Foreman proved everyone wrong. He would challenge Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight title in 1991 and would regain the title in a stunning knockout of Michael Moorer in 1994. He became the oldest heavyweight champion at 45, and endeared himself to millions of fans. There has not been a heavyweight with Foreman's power in the history of the division. Also, his 76-5 record is extremely impressive, as there will not be another heavyweight with that many victories in our lifetime.
I see Tyson winning by stoppage. Ali was great for sure, but for all his tactician moves, his ego and his natural ability, I don't think he represented the type of style that gave Tyson trouble. He wasn't quite as big as Douglas, not as hard punching as Foreman, and not as vicious as Tyson himself. But if the fight went beyond 4 rounds Ali had a very good chance. I just see Ali backing up too much, trying to control Tyson and getting stopped. Possibly brutal KO. This would be a beautiful fight to watch. A true example of inside boxing if there ever was one. Both guys had killer left hooks and short right hands. But I think Tyson's chin was just a bit better. Keep in mind with this I'm talking about a prime Tyson, not the guy who fell apart very early in his career. When Tyson had the fire and the right men behind him he was a monster. Louis wouldn't go quietly, but after a few short Tyson hooks and uppercuts I'd say it safe to assume Louis would be ready to go. But he'd test Tyson's beard the whole way. Tyson never wins this one. If anyone in history had Tyson's number it's Holyfield. Holyfield was a true master with his own left hook/uppercut, and had the understanding of how to use his head, and his shoulders and how to tie up inside. He held his own with much bigger men doing this and it's really a no brainer to figure he'll grab onto Tyson every chance he gets, to wear him out for a late stoppage. All in all when it's said and done I believe Holyfield will rank right up there with Ali in terms of being a great tactician. Both guys knew their way around the ring. Even if one was more aggressive than the other. This fight I can't really say. On one hand you had Foreman who was vunerable, getting dropped by someone like Jimmy Young. And on the other hand, his crippling destruction of Joe Fraizer in two fights. Nobody can really say that Tyson wouldn't be there for the uppercuts that dropped Fraizer, because he would be. And Foreman overall represents that aggressive big man that gives Tyson all sorts of problems. I will say that a methodical fight favors Foreman. But if Tyson went out there and landed a few hard punches early on Foreman, he could win it. I give the edge to Foreman as I think despite being vunerable as a young guy, he was still determined to win everytime. Tyson wasn't the tactician Ali was. He wouldn't exploit Foreman's weakness, he'd play into his strengths.
1. Tyson against Ali. Tyson had a style that would mesh well with Ali's and give him lots of problems. I could see Tyson knocking down Ali somewhere along the line but dropping a split decision. 2. Tyson against Louis. I could see Louis going down in the 5th or 6th round but get up to stop tyson somewher between 7th and 9th round. 3.Tyson vs Holytfield. I rank these guys on and even keel. Holyfield new how to back up Mike and Mike isn't a great fighter when backing up. This fight ends in a draw. 4. Tyson vs Foreman- Foreman would back Mike up and his big shots would wear on Mike. Foreman by eighth round KO.
They all KO Tyson Ali- Please let's not go there Tyson wouldn't stand a prayer.. Foreman- Big George would snuff Mike inside of 3 rounds... Holyfield already whipped Tyson's ass twice and would have stopped him in his prime also, to mentallly strong for Tyson.. Louis- Would have KO'D Tyson also **** if a prime Douglas KO'D Tyson you can't sit there and B.S me that Louis couldn't do it/...:-(
Ali - Tyson was a huge puncher with fast feet and hands. But he didnt like being bullied, and wasnt impossible to hit. I think i would still pick a Younger ali to beat him, he had fantastic jab and could get out of trouble with head movement. He also wouldnt be intimidated by 'Iron Mike' either. Ali wins on Pts Foreman - Foreman was big and couls hit hard, but was basically a wild swinger. People might bring up the Frazier fight as a comparison but to be honest, Tyson was more technically minded and his head movement was a lot better tha Smokin Joe, I think he could get on the inside and let some hooks go, then bring them up, slowly breaking the big guy down. Tyson KO 6. Louis - I see one winner here and one winner only, thats Mike Tyson. Louis would essentially be made for Mike, Louis wasnt that quick, had flat feet and could be hit and hurt by mediocre heavyweight. Tyson takes him out before the half way mark. Tyson KO. Holyfield - Personally I dont by the crap that a prime Mike could be Holy. Holy was everything Tyson hated. He had a solid chin and was just a dirty as Tyson and could bully him back. he would not have the mental edge of Evander and Holy could box him on the out side and fight him on the inside (using dirty tactics). Holyfield late TKO.
Ali by late TKO over Tyson Tyson by mid-round KO over Louis Tyson by mid-late TKO over Holy Foreman by early-mid KO over Tyson
Tyson would do well against all of them except holyfield , only because he seems to b mikes boogey man
