Tyson in his prime vs. Ali in his prime?

Answer 1

I've never liked Tyson at all. But I'd have to say, in his prime (both physically & emotionally) this fight wouldn't reach the 4th round. He had all the tools to be the greatest of all time, up untill Cus died then he just spiraled downward. In rebuttal to arsn49, yes Iron Mike lost to those fighters and lost badly, but Ali lost to a guy named Leon Spinks which is widely considered one of the greatest upsets of all time.

Answer 2

That's an old question that gets the same answer. Ali would use the "rope a dope" like he did against Geoge Foreman. Ali would tire out Tyson and KO him late in the fight. The only other possibilty is Tyson would become so frustrated in the middle rounds with Ali laying on the ropes that Tyson would do something stupid to get disqualified. Either way it's a win for Ali.

Answer 3

Come folks lets anaylise Tysons approach. Most of his fights didn't go 2 rounds. Why?
Cause he jumped on his apponents right from the start and intimdated fighters who had no real defense and went straight back when challenged. That is they had big targets on their often suspect chins, that just begged to be hit.
Ali would have been a much different proposition. Tyson would have been lucky to hit him. He had great defense with both hand and head movement. Plus he could move so fast on his feet both side directions. Plus make no mistake Ali could bang and bang hard. Tyson had a suspect jaw.
Ali would have systematically torn Tyson to shreads from the 3rd or 4th round on. Frasier fought Ali so well cause he had a jaw of granite and could take the beating and come back.
Tyson would have just taken the beating and then come to in the dressing room.
So please if you don't think the same then I suggest you get some DVD's of Ali of fights from 1962 up to the Thriller in Manila and see for yourself. Mind you I don't think we ever really got to see Ali's prime The US Government stole that from us real boxing fans. What a Shame!

Answer 4

First of all, Ali would surely get into Tyson's head with his usual pre-fight tauntings and antics. This would upset Tyson and get him real mad that he'd vow to kill Ali. Come fight time Tyson would try to catch Ali with one big shot. He'd come swarming all over Ali, unleashing power punches after power punches. But the prime Ali was just too fast in the ring that he wouldn't get hit with Tyson's bombs just like with Liston. He might get tagged along the way by a vicious hook or cross and might even get knocked down, but Ali can take hard shots and he'd surely rise and continue to dance around Tyson. Ali need not resort to the "rope-a-dope" because in his prime he's got tons of stamina to dance for 15 rounds. It's Tyson who'll punch himself out and get tired after which Ali would take him out by the 8th or 9th.

Answer 5

ALI WOULD BEAT THE SNOT OUT OF TYSON. Tyson was never anywhere close to a fighter than ALI was. He may have hit hard, but he never had speed, or technique, which ALI had alot of. Ali fought in an era of great boxers, and defied odds to become the mosty electrifying fighter of all time. Tyson got beat up by buster douglas, holyfield twice, and lennox lewis. His prime was a bunch of no named or past prime fighters, boo anyone that thinks that tyson would have a legit shot with ali

Answer 6

I cant stand people thinking tyson had a chance. If ALI beat george forman the meanest badest guy ever in boxing than tyson would have lasted about o say 3 or 4 rounds

Answer 7

I agree with EJAG and ihop. Yes, Ali maybe a great fighter and has alot of tools, predominantly his terrific agility and lightning fast punches. But Mike Tyson, in his very short prime (ages 19 and 20) was the most all-around devastating and outright dangerous fighter that I have ever seen.....period. His style looked smooth and fluid, not like your typical "swarmer" power-puncher, because Iron Mike wasn't a typical power-puncher, he had many more tools to go along with his freakish power. Things went to pot for him mentally when his manager died. Iron Mike was SO quick, he had the meanest short punch in boxing history along with a left hook that could murder and good chin and stamina. My prediction for this fight, with both men in their respective primes, would be Tyson knocking out Ali within 5 rounds.

Answer 8

tyson in his prime. i've never seen a fighter fight so vicious like iron mike. ali maybe slick, but i believe tyson can catch him. if ali did the rope-a-dope against tyson like what he did on foreman. ali wouldn't last.. id say tyson.. 5th round

heavyweights back then were good, but heavyweights now are bigger and stronger.. just like in any sports, athletes has evolved to better players from boxing, basketball, football, tennis, etc...

Answer 9

Tyson almost certainly, if he had gotten some of his bombs in on Ali, he would have floored him. However Lennox Lewis would have knocked these 2 out, no contest.

Answer 10

Tyson in his prime will destroy ALI, it will be all over in the 1st round.