I think Ali finds a way to beat Tyson. Tyson never met a boxer with the skills of Ali. Ali would be in his head before and during the fight. Ali was deceptively strong and was able to change tactics during a fight. I think the younger Ali frustrates Tyson with his movement/reach/speed and wins a decision or stops him late. I think the older Ali (1974/75) would catch Tyson coming in and then frustrate Tyson with the holding tactics he liked to do. I think it would be similar to Manila with with Tyson not being as mentally tough as Frazier. Frazier (and Ali too) would have been willing to die in Manila if Futch had not stopped it; I don't think Tyson would do the same. I do think Tyson has the best chance with the "after Manila" Ali. That fight took so much out of Ali.
BE, im curious to see how you see a younger Ali doing against Foreman. Better or worse than in Zaire?
A Prime Ali? Im assume we'll pick one just before his first forced retirement before his comeback against Frazier. If thats the case I would pick Ernie Shavers. Now I know you guys laugh at that but an older Ali although out of his prime was much more experienced and was much sturdier on his legs and much more sure of himself then a younger Ali. Ali's legit knockdowns came when he was a younger "Prime" version of himself compared to the older Ali that took tons of punishment. I could see Shavers landing clean on an overconfident Ali and tasting the canvas and maybe wouldn't have the skills necessary to avoid taking more bombs from Ernie. Theres very little chance of anyone able to knock Ali out, he had amazing recuperative powers I can't really picture anyone doing it but if a younger Ali got caught with some of the punches Ernie landed against older Ali or Holmes I could see the lights going out. I'd say 10% chance or less but if I have to pick someone I'd pick Ernie. Im not sure if this even falls under the posts guidelines of ATG but there it is
If I had to pick one guy I would pick either Lewis or Foreman. I still think Foreman might have won that first fight if the ropes had been on the up and up and he paced himself better. Ali himself said that Foreman had him out on his feet but never knew it. Those ropes made a huge, huge difference, because Ali only had to focus on protecting his body because Foreman couldn't reach his head (at least not with full force punches) when Ali leaned back. Lewis on the other had has a huge reach and power advantage and was a smarter fighter than Foreman, so he could possibly win either a decision or a KO.
Good point. Now that we think of it, nobody was ever able to keep Tyson off of him and make it the distance. Very good point.