64-67 Muhammad Ali vs 80's Tyson's Challengers

[uncle ben]

Ali vs

Trevor Berbick
Bonecrusher Smith
Pinklon Thomas
Tony Tucker
Tyrell Biggs
Tony Tubbs
Michael Spinks
Frank Bruno
Carl Williams
Buster Douglas

Assuming Ali beats them, if that's what you think, how much difficulty would this line up pose to him and how does he do against these guys?

[BKM-]

Based on Larry Holmes' performances against some of those, Williams and Thomas probably would have been the biggest challenges for Clay. Speaking from a stylistic point of view.

[OctoberRed]

Based on Larry Holmes' performances against some of those, Williams and Thomas probably would have been the biggest challenges for Clay. Speaking from a stylistic point of view.

^^^^ Fully agree with this.

[uncle ben]

Based on Larry Holmes' performances against some of those, Williams and Thomas probably would have been the biggest challenges for Clay. Speaking from a stylistic point of view.

I think Tucker and Douglas and Spinks may also prove to be challenges as well, especially since Ali wasn't a big puncher, but I think he could be favored over all 3.

[BKM-]

I think Tucker and Douglas and Spinks may also prove to be challenges as well, especially since Ali wasn't a big puncher, but I think he could be favored over all 3.

I certainly don't see any of them coming even close to beating him. A lot of these guys were kids in the amateurs during Ali's prime and they developed styles inspired by Ali. A poor man's Ali isn't gonna beat the real thing.

[uncle ben]

I certainly don't see any of them coming even close to beating him. A lot of these guys were kids in the amateurs during Ali's prime and they developed styles inspired by Ali. A poor man's Ali isn't gonna beat the real thing.

Ali in his prime was a huge heavyweight for his time and that played a lot into his success. When Ali became fully developed physically at 6'3 210-212 pounds, he started to dominate. But he had already been fighting for 4 years. When he was weighing in the 190's, he was winning, but he wasn't beating the best of the best.

Well, those men would not be at the size disadvantage that many of prime Ali's opponents were. In fact they'd be bigger and in a HW Spinks case, as big. And all at their best were highly skilled. And Ali wasn't a big puncher. Ali would likely win, but I don't see him plowing through skilled big men.

[The Old LefHook]

Ali conquers all. A shorter career would be the main difference.

[OctoberRed]

Ali conquers all. A shorter career would be the main difference.

When do you think he should have stopped?

[Ray Corso]

"When Ali became fully developed physically at 6'3 210-212 pounds, he started to dominate. But he had already been fighting for 4 years. When he was weighing in the 190's, he was winning, but he wasn't beating the best of the best."................Really?
Who fights the "best of the best" in their first 2 years?

Ali fought under 199 for 2 years not 4 and in his third year he was fighting Jones, Cooper and Liston.

Ali is a superior boxer to anyone that Tyson faced in the 80's.
I think at his very best Douglas could put up a good fight against any heavy.

Ray

[Zaroku]

Based on Larry Holmes' performances against some of those, Williams and Thomas probably would have been the biggest challenges for Clay. Speaking from a stylistic point of view.

Styles make fights... I got 85 smashing Li... I got big George stopping Tyson... I got me in a hotel room in Tokyo with two wimmin march of 1990 as Douglas got a long cold, then he stopped Tyson...