Tyson and Ali showing the difference between punching power and punching ability

Interesting read, but some points to ponder:

*Styles and reputation:

Most of Ali's opponents chased after him, whereas Tyson often had to open up a defensive-minded fighter. Tyson's reputation as a puncher almost guaranteed him a hard night's work opening up a 'turtle.'

With Ali's opponents mostly coming forward, it was easier for him to score with punches. His opponents weren't as defensive as were Tyson's.

*Mentality

Tyson struggled sometimes and became frustrated when things didn't quite go his way. Ali didn't seem affected by a stubborn foe. This surely would affect their capabilities in the ring.

*Opponents

The opponents you listed for Ali there for me aren't on the same level as the ones listed for Tyson.

For instance, I can't see Tyson having much problem stopping or knocking out the vast majority of fighters listed for Ali, but a few listed for Tyson would most likely take Ali the full route.
Can you include Ali's 70's opponents as a separate statistic for comparison?
Just for interest's sake if for nothing else...say up to '76 when he was still pretty good.

You should also remove the second Liston fight as it was undoubtedly rigged.

Nonetheless, a good thought-provoking thread. Nice work.

 

Good points.

 

Good posts, i dont like stats most of the time. But on the point Ali's power, underrated imo.

 

I agree. I've always thought he was a better puncher than he's made out to be sometimes. His ungodly timing was also a big factor.

 

Matt, I call your points 'good' but mine are only 'fair'?

I'm not impressed.

 

IMHO looking at those "better opponents" lists Tysons list contains a little less "dead wood" than Alis so as soon as you use percentages to score it Tyson loses out.

Levarante being 2:1 favourite surprises me as well....

 

What? You...

 

Haha!

 

I wouldn't say Tyson's opponents were better than Ali's, but they were bigger and had stronger chins in general. On the other side their stamina was inferior, so I can see Ali stopping many of them in the late rounds, especially over 15.

To be honest, though, I don't see many of Ali's opponents going the distance against a prime Tyson. Terrell would perhaps be a good bet.

One should remember that he had trouble with his hands during the 70's, which made him pull his punches at times. His KO ratio was lower after the exile.

That's a convenient cliché isn't it? "Undoubtly", even though there isn't any evidence to support, but some evidence to the contrary.

I any case, you could well argue that Ali could (and should) have KO'd Terrell.

 

I don't think Ali has particularly good power. If you hit someone often enough they'll go down. There's too many reports of his lack of power to suggest he was a good hitter. Cooper, Patterson were derisory of his ability to whack.


6.5/10 for me. A decent rating.