The Best Fighter From Ali's Era, That Mike Tyson Beats?

Since Holmes and Liston are out, I'm overwhelmingly leaning toward this viewpoint. Foreman and Ali for sure, though after 1974 I see Ali losing.

Some may question my picking post Norton1/Zaire Ali to beat Mike. To me Ali's Ring IQ peaked around the time of the 2nd Norton fight (it had to, otherwise he would have lost again). I think if he faced Iron Mike 1974 he would have definitely figured out a way to win, whether through rope-a-dope, neck-leaning, jab-and-clinch...whatever it took. If he could beat peak Foreman at that stage (plus his biggest stylistic nightmare, Norton), he'd beat Mike.

 

On his best night he could beat them all.
On his worst night (I.e. Tokyo) he could lose to the likes of Quarry...

 

I don’t question your picks. I totally agree, including Ali specifically up to and including 74.

The OP’s first post was clear in its own right - and that would include Liston and Holmes who I would also take to beat Mikey - Larry specifically from ‘78 on.

Tyson is a justifiable favourite to beat Frazier perhaps but he’s not a 100% lock imo, I’d still have to see it to totally believe it.

So, when the smoke clears from all that - moving down the quality ladder, the best fighter(s) Mikey more than likely beats would be Norton and Young - who are close enough to rate equally imo.

 

Tyson beats everybody

 

Aw, c’mon. You just said that because it’s easier to type out - 3 words.

I’m kidding. You’re entitled to your opinion.

I’ll trim myself down and say - Mike beats almost everybody.

 

Jesus

 

Both Liston and Frazier are the toughest calls for me, and I feel I should address the Liston match up briefly.

Liston would have been completely unafraid, in fact he would have pushed back against any kind of intimidation Mike would try...beyond the "Evil Sphinx" face Holy gave him in their second fight.

Liston was also more than a great puncher, he proved before Patterson he had an extensive bag of tricks and quite impressive ring IQ and endurance.

I can't pick either to beat Mike, but I wouldn't bet on Mike either.

Holmes 1979-1982 TKOs Mike in 11 at the outside. The Holmes who won the title from Norton UDs him. All would be very tough fights, with Larry taking a fall sometime in the middle rounds.

 

In the entire history of HWs, I only see a handful of boxers capable of beating a prime Tyson. But I'm not talking about 1 lucky punch, cause anyone can beat anyone in that scenario, I'm talking about edging him in a best of 10 fights.
Those boxers are: Liston, Lewis, Bowe, Vitali, Fury.
I don't seem them as favorites, it's about 50:50 for me, but they stand the best chance.
Tyson is favorite against all the rest.

 

You didn't specify exactly what Ali's Era is. Well, I can safely say that Mike Tyson would beat Muhammad Ali, who was beaten by Leon Spinks.

 

At his best he conceivably beats everyone from Ali's era including Ali himself. Stylistically I think fighters like Foreman and Liston trouble him most, especially Foreman with his stifling wrestling style that could tie Tyson up and stymie a lot of his early work and lead to frustration and tiredness causing Tyson to fade later in the fight. I don't think any version of Holmes beats Tyson frankly; at best he could take him the distance in a losing effort (Holmes didn't lose to Tyson because he was old, he lost because Tyson was stylistically all wrong for him). I'd like to think Frazier vs Tyson would be an epic tear up, but something tells me it'd be a blowout for Tyson. Frazier vs 90s Tyson would be a whole different fight though, and a much more competitive one. Ali is a fifty fifty (meaning I can't decide who'd win). Tyson would be one of the most ferocious punchers Ali has ever fought, but if anyone has the intangibles to overcome that it's Ali.

The rest get murked. Norton gets the Shavers treatment, Shavers gets the Quarry treatment, etc.

 

In other words, the Ali that was minimum several years past his prime.

 

Foreman, assuming you can consider him the best. Exceptionally overrated champion.

 

Chuvalo,Norton,Shavers,Quarry,Ellis he would beat them 100%.
Lyle,Young and 1973 Frazier are 50-50 .
Foreman,FOTC Frazier,Ali and Liston beat him.

 

Agree with everything you said except Liston. You didn't mention Foreman, but I think that's a loss for Tyson. Foreman had the exact wrong style for Mike I think...