Why 87 Tyson beats 66 Ali...

Also remember the James Tillis fight, Tillis a Muhammad Ali wannabe gave Tyson problems. Ali's controlling tactic would work against Tyson for a late TKO

 

Tyson existed in the era of Ali imitators. Biggs, Tubbs, Pink, etc. all imitated Ali to an extent. Tyson knew how to fight against that style and practically built his career on it. A wide decision over Tillis doesn't prove Tyson loses to Ali. That point is stupid.

 

Tyson had a Tremendous chin.... and Muhammad had horrendous power. How does he keep Mike off him for 12 rounds? He simply doesn't.

 

He doesn't need to. He simply out boxes the mentally weak Tyson, and makes him quit.

 

Ali may not have been a devastating puncher, but he was a sharp one with a lot of handspeed; and the shot that you don't see is the one that's liable to hurt you. You don't hurt Liston without having at least some pop.

 

He didn't hurt Liston. That was BS. Tyson applied consistent pressure for 12 rounds against Tucker without tiring, choosing to outbox the big guy with the jab. He had faultless conditioning and mindset when living a clean, stable life and training religiously. He wouldn't try to outjab Ali, but he would try to duck and slip and squat around Ali's 1-2s and come up with power countering, for 11-12 rounds IF need be...

 

Tillis fought Tyson nothing like Ali would fight him. Also Tyson was 19 years old. The fight as some sort of measuring stick in a hypothetical Tyson v Ali fight just doesn't work at all. Just saying.

I hope TheOldTimer sticks around. That was a quality post, even if I would beg to differ on many points.

 

Ali's left hooks and right uppercuts were long arm punches, Tyson's right hands and left hooks were short power punches...

 

Completely wrong. He fought him VERY similar to how Ali did, except he was much worse. He used the same tactics.

Type in YouTube:Cassius Clay TKO's Prime Mike Tyson in 7 rounds AMSB Boxing Film Study - Control Is Fun

It draws similarities.

 

The only two that imitated Ali were Buster Douglas and James Tillis, the others did not.

 

What are you talking about? He was tired after round 7 against Tucker, clearly was not as active as he was in round 1. Ali was MORE active in the late rounds.

None of Tyson's opponents were as athletically gifted as Ali, they copied Ali but never his speed.

 

He simply didn't do this enough, not against Tillis, not against Buster Douglas especially and not against Holyfield. Tucker was a good fighter, but Ali was very adaptable, don't forget that Ali clinched his opponents alot and Tyson didn't like that.

Foreman, in his autobiography said Ali's jab was TOO fast to counter. It was the fastest H.W jab of all time. You can't compare it to Tucker's jab. Pinklon Thomas and Buster Douglas were enjoying jabbing Tyson.

 

I'll watch it and get back to you.

 

It may have been too fast to counter for Foreman! Anyway Tyson would let go just after Ali throws a 1-2 (which would shoeshine Mike), not as he throws - he had great timing pre-88.

 

Why pre? His timing seemed good against Holmes and Spinks. Foreman was not a slow, plodding fighter - watch Ali-Foreman and you'll see Foreman was fast and athletic on his feet.

Ali's jab was blinding. And it was even faster in the 60s than it was in the 70s.