I wouldn't favor anybody over Ali. The ones with the best chance though are prime Liston, prime Frazier, and prime Louis.
Not the ones I believe can beat Prime Ali, but the ones i think might have troubled him the most. 1- Prime Sonny Liston 2- 1993 Tommy Morrison 3- Vitali Klitschko 4- Wladimir Klitschko 5- Prime Joe Louis 6- George Foreman 7- Larry Holmes 8- Deontay Wilder 9- 1992/93 Rid**** Bowe 10- Lennox Lewis
If anyone had the style it would be Tyson. Others that have a chance: Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes, Jack Johnson.
Why all the punchers? Ali met with some of the greatest punchers of all time and he excelled against them. If you want someone to beat him I don't think you should look for someone to KO him, but for someone to get the decision. Skilled fighers with a height and reach advantage who could outbox him (Lewis? Wlad?) or short pressure fighters who could outwork him (Marciano? Frazier!) would be my bet.
Isn't Tyson a short pressure fighter like Marciano and Frazier with the added advantages of being 1-2 stones heavier but still with far greater handspeed and at least comparable power?
My opinion of this list: 1- Prime Sonny Liston - Yes 2- 1993 Tommy Morrison - No 3- Vitali Klitschko - Yes 4- Wladimir Klitschko - No 5- Prime Joe Louis - Yes 6- George Foreman - No 7- Larry Holmes - Yes 8- Deontay Wilder - No 9- 1992/93 Rid**** Bowe - No 10- Lennox Lewis - Yes
Yeah, not as consistent in his pressure though and he rarely fought on the inside. It is hard to say, they guys that troubled Tyson did it the same way Ali would have, with a jab, lateral movement and tying him up when close. On the other hand, Tyson was a pressure fighter, only faster and more powerfull than the ones that troubled Ali. So maybe Tyson by decision then? Would he be able to outwork Ali over 15 you think?
Tyson would be very unlikely to get a result against Ali. He always slowed in the later rounds. If it goes the distance it would be bad to watch, Ali would take him apart. But there is a chance that Mike cleans him out within 5. Great fantasy fight. Lets be fair here and put preconceptions aside, both men were as formidable as a human being can be. Short of the bout happening nobody can be sure of the result. My pick, both at their absolute best, would be Ali by stoppage around 10 rounds, but he would of known he had been there.