Comments Thread For: One Time or a Hundred, Ali-Tyson Result Never Changes

[VolumePuncher]

Its hard to really say because the fact of the matter is, Tyson never faced anything resembling decent competition when he was at his best. Not just because he was that dominant, but because the heavyweight division was full of bums. I'd take Ali, maybe not 100/100, but if the hypothetical fight happened tomorrow, I wouldn't hesitate in my prediction.

Why? Tyson's head movement was sloppy at times even when he was at his best, and he also was never able to shake the tendency to look for one big shot despite Cus and co. doing their best to beat it out of him. On top of that, he wasn't half as quick as Ali on his feet. A combination of those three factors and many more lead me to imagine a fight in which Ali would circle around him, peppering him with jabs and the occasional combination until he either won by decision or had the opportunity to end it.

Now, all of that said, there are a few things that work in Tyson's favor. Obviously his punching power is a huge advantage, as well as his ability to keep consistent pressure and back people against the ropes/into corners. If he was able to do the latter with a good combination of head movement and overall sound defense in a few key spots, I don't think a KO is impossible. That said, it wouldn't come early and given how brief most of prime Tyson's tests were, I'm not sure if he'd be persistent enough to stay solid for 7-8+ rounds when that opportunity might arise.

If it's a 10 fight series, I say Ali wins the series easily 9-1.

[lefthook2daliva]

Bet even Mike would say the same thing as the headline were you to ask him.

This guy is probably less boxing fan than he is Tyson fan.

[Mr. Philadel]

Tyson vs Ali would have been a very good fight. I'd like to match a 21 year old Tyson who beat Spinks against a 25(?) year old Ali who beat Cleavland Williams. Funny thing is when they both got together on the Arsenial Hall show, years ago, both said they would have lost to the other. lol Well, Ali said "I was real fast, I didn't hit that hard but if he hit me..." and motioned he would have been put to sleep by Tyson. Both fighters have tremendous respect for each other because they know how great the other really was. We on the other hand don't know shiiit compared to them. If Ali said Mike could knock him out, you better believe it. If Mike said Ali was the greatest, you better believe it. If I had to pick, I'd pick Ali by UD. Tyson on the other hand though, could have been to fast and strong for Ali, you never know. Also, they say Tyson had great timing at his best, and thats exactly the kind of thing you need to catch a fighter like Ali. Either way, this subject that has been debated time and time again just proves people really do believe Tyson was one of the greatest in History. Who ever compares anyone to Ali as much as Tyson? Nobody.

powerful post...green

its not easy pick a winner in this one....I do know they BOTH had the style to give each other hell....Ali's jab and cat like reflexes along with his mobility would've gave Mike a fit....on the flipside...Tyson's bob and weave style made him a elusive target as well....his abilit to get inside and let four and five shots go would've had Ali uncomfortable as hell imo...something inside of me says Ali squeeks out a close split decision possibly a UD but not by more than 2 pts on each card....a close fight that Ali will win IMO

[The Devil]

What a clown

Tyson was a much faster, much more powerful, much more defensive version of Joe Frazier with a better chin. Tyson wouldve eaten Ali up in 3 rounds. No question about it. Dude that wrote this article is just a retro clown

[VolumePuncher]

Tyson was a much faster, much more powerful, much more defensive version of Joe Frazier with a better chin. Tyson wouldve eaten Ali up in 3 rounds. No question about it. Dude that wrote this article is just a retro clown

Liston had a much longer reach and was much more powerful than Frazier, and how did he do against Ali? Oh that's right, he quit the first time because he couldn't do **** and took a dive in their second fight. As far as speed goes, neither Tyson or Frazier is on Ali's level, nor is it much of a factor after a point. Frazier beat Ali because he was a persistent bastard that's arguably the best heavyweight ever when it comes to the ability to pressure people and stay in their face.

[slindee3]

Funny how some think Ali would stand a chance against Tyson ?? Even Holmes killed Ali while Tyson knocked him out in 4 :-) Ali would have suffered the same fate as Holmes. Maybee even quicker !!

Obviously you're a young boxing fan that don't know s**t about boxing.

[P4P Opinion]

A prime Muhammad Ali would beat a prime Mike Tyson 9 times out of 10 in my opinion.

Ali would get inside Tyson's head before the fight and wouldn't be afraid of Tyson even if he appeared anxious. Tyson wouldn't be able to deal with getting peppered by jabs on his way into range and Ali would make him reach with his punches as well as making him miss often. Tyson would always have a chance as he possesses a mean left hook, the shot that Ali always had problems with, but I think more often than not, Tyson would be a frustrated fighter losing a lopsided decision.

[Tiozzo]

I agree, I would name Sonny Liston as one. People forget how good Liston was cuz' of his 2 fights with Ali. But, he was very skilled fighter, that jab of his amazing. Arguably the greatest Jab in HW history. And, was no joke. It took somebody as special as Ali to end his reign.

And, I think Ali would have won the fight before the fight even started. He would of talked and got in Tyson head during the build up.

If Ali was not intimidated by Liston or by Foreman then he damn sure wasn't going to be intimidated by anything Tyson did. However, Tyson would not have been able to handle Ali verbal assault, Ali would have gotten in his head and beat him before the fight even start.

years later, Ali admitted he was scared to death before facing Liston

true story, he admitted that during the Champions dinner, it's on Youtube

[Tiozzo]

the article is a joke

it is terribly biased and it leaves all the counter arguments and other facts aside


I used to think Ali would toy with Tyson, but not anymore

a prime Ali already had poor defense, and when he would stop moving, he would get hit quite a lot

so called prime Ali (or pre-layoff version) got his body beaten to a pulp by George Chuvalo, his toughest fight to date he said at the time

if prime Ali couldn't hold off Chuvalo, what would Tyson do ?


in his last fight before the layoff, he looked nothing like invincible against Zora Folley, who, although had good skills, was slow on his feet

Folley was landing faily easily, timing Ali, and before the KO, well, Ali looked quite bad

Foreman is not a good example either to try and speculate on a Tyson encounter : Tyson knew how to open up your defense, while Foreman would just **** away without thinking, without varying, without setting you up

Ali trying his rope-a-dope against Tyson : Ali gets brutally ko'ed


pre layoff Ali stands a much better chance because of his ability to move longer and to punch faster, but even that Ali could have been beaten by Tyson, while he could have beaten Tyson too

[AKATheMack]

If any version of Pre- Buster Mike showed up to fight the Ali who faced Doug Jones he wins. Otherwise I think its a tough call to make.