Tyson Fury vs Muhammad Ali

Tyson for me is a hard pick to beat Fury, but frankly I am unsure if Fury can handle the swarming style and ferocity. Tyson would have a whole lot of trouble getting inside, Fury's jab and footwork would keep him at bay but prime Tyson does have a chance to potentially close the distance... I could see it being very troublesome. But prime Tyson would also gas against Fury, Fury has far more stamina.

 

You don't think people overrate Ali's defensive skills? People act like the man just walked around on air and no one could land a glove on him

 

I think the prospect of Fury's potential retirement is already bringing forth premature mythologizing.

He beat a 40+ Wlad and didn't look too great doing it.

He beat Wilder in an interesting trilogy and did show heart, courage, resilience, and stamina.

When did he ever face, much less beat fighters the level of prime Foreman, Frazier. Or even a slightly past prime Liston?

He didn't. Probably won't even if he doesn't retire. There's no one of that level around, folks. Even Usyk has a while to go before proving anything counter to that assertion.

 

Of course some do.

Doesn't mean Ali wouldn't outbox Fury. Which I suspect he would.

It's one thing to outbox overrated brawlers like Whyte and Wilder. It's another to outbox Ali.

 

I'm assuming it's the Sugar Hill version of Fury, which I don't see trying to "outbox" a smaller guy like Ali. I see him charging and smothering him and keeping him on the ropes and mauling the sht out of him.
Not saying it's the stone cold lock of the century, but I could certainly see things play out that way

 

Fury was able to do that against Wilder.

He'd find it much more difficult to close Ali down and smother him.

The difference in footwork and skill between Ali and Wilder is massive.

 

MONSTROUS

 

What I think people neglect to talk about when it comes to Ali's style is the only reason he can utilize it is because of his mastery of the fundamentals. Fury is a good fighter, but I don't think anyone can argue against the obvious gap in skill between Fury and Ali is massive. Fury displayed good ring IQ against Wlad, but he never faced the diverse array of opposition Ali encountered and overcame during his career.

 

As much as Fury may be the man at the moment (with the possible exception of Usyk) there's no denying that today's heavyweight scene is very poor.

Look at the other best heavyweights of today- Joshua, Whyte, Wilder , Parker, Joyce and not many others (not including Usyk)

Does anyone seriously think Otto Wallin would give Ali problems?

The difference in skill between Ali and Fury is huge.

Fury is the best of a bad bunch due to his size

 

As I mentioned above, I give Fury great credit for the Wilder trilogy. I do think it's the only thing impressive about his resume, but it's not to be taken lightly. He was beat down several times during those fights...I think five? That's a heck of a lot of canvas smooching. And he kept getting back up.

Both during the 12th round kd of the first fight, and at a couple of points during the early part of the rubber match I thought the fight could have been stopped in Wilder's favor, and I doubt anyone would have raised too many objections. But he came back. I think the third fight is his greatest showing of true Championship Heart and Courage. He broke the top 15 ATG with that fight, and I think Wilder went up in the rankings too, even in defeat.

Fury is the best heavy and has been for at least a couple of years now. If he retires, he will be known, alongside with probably Wlad (certainly his brother will be noted as well) as the best this century. Nothing wrong with that.

But if we attempt to place him alongside Ali, Louis, Holmes, Foreman, Lewis, Holyfield, Tyson...no, I don't quite see that. I'd have to see him beat more of today's best: Ruiz, Usyk, Joshua. Even a sound beating of any one of those men would highly impress me. I think he could do ti with Ruiz and Joshua. Usyk...not sure, but to me Usyk is still very early on in his heavyweight championship. Too early to tell on him imo.

 

I would say that if we took Fury's height or reach or weight. He would not be ranked so highly. I mean this is a redundant argument, as you of course can't take Fury's physical characteristics away obviously, but no one would find Fury's skill of note if it were not for his physicality. the argument 'thats what makes Fury so good is how a fighter his size moves' well yeah... but he has the skill of a journeyman and superior genetics. That's really just the best approximation of Fury imo. A defeat of a 40 year old Wlad is the greatest note of a career that is in the shadows compared to the majority of other HW lineal champions.

 

You're kinder about that win than I am. To me that wasn't a notable win, Wlad was way past it and Fury didn't exactly impress anyone with his skills in that. Just my opinion.

 

I'm not a big Fury fan, but it seems to irk anyone who is when you discredit the Wlad win. I would argue though that was the opportune time for Fury to fight Wlad, if Wlad was a younger man, closer to his prime, I don't see Fury having more than a 50/50 chance.

 

Fury would have been stopped late imo. Would have been a great fight!

 

Change his style to an aggressor. I don't think he has the tools. Ali is gonna be so much faster and just the pace alone would take the steam out of Fury. Tyson will eat some right hands but the accumulated punishment will allow Ali to stop him. Fury will be peppered.