Tweet
Ali vs. Mike Tyson
This would have been a fascinating fight. Tyson -- the 21-year-old version -- had the Joe Frazier type of attacking speed, and Tyson's punches were fast when he was at his best. Although he would have been giving up five inches in height to Ali, he was more powerful physically, and at about 218 pounds he would have been a bit heavier.
For the first four, five or six rounds, Tyson would have given Ali a desperate struggle. He would have been going at him hard, and Ali could not have avoided all the shots. Tyson's left hook might well have put Ali down -- certainly Ali would have been rocked and staggered. Ali's many admirers would have been very, very worried.
Eventually, though, Ali's cool boxing brain and his character would have pulled him through. He might have been obliged to hang on to get through some rough moments, but Ali's superior will and greater mental stamina would come into play. He would probably talk to Tyson: "Boy, you're getting tired now -- you're in trouble."
There is a good chance that Tyson would have started to unravel as Ali came back at him with jabs, right hands and combinations, in effect bullying the bully. In the later rounds, Tyson would have been wishing he were somewhere else, while the crowd would have been joyously chanting: "Ali, Ali, Ali."
Verdict: Ali by decision or late stoppage.
is this a joke?? prime tyson would beat any heavyweight in the history of boxing.
Comment