Tyson in his Prime vs. Ali in his prime?

Question

Before his 3yrs in prison for Rape Tyson was undubtably the top fighter in boxing. He was a brutal beast and had fought some of the beast. He KO'd Larry Holmes in 5 and masacred Michael Spinks scoring a 1st rd KO. His yrs in prison took off his edge and he was never as good. His losses to Holyfield and Lewis occured after is sentence. Still he was dang good.

And of course Muhammad Ali was Muhammad Ali. He Ko'd Foreman, Fraiser in the second fight and Liston everytime. He only had 3 losses in his prime (his other a loss to Holmes after coming out of retirement for 1 bout).

Who wins.

Answer 1

When Ali was in his prime and he decided to fight, there was no equal.  It was Ali the showman, that was beatable.  Tyson was quick and powerful, but Ali was quicker and his stinging jab would have keep Tyson off balance.

I like them both, but I would have to go with Ali and whatever round he called.........   ;-)

Answer 2

Muhammad Ali–rightfully nicknamed “The Greatest”–stood 6′3″, weighed in somewhere in the low 200’s and had an 80″ reach. Tyson, was 5′ 10″, weighing around 218 and had a 71″ reach. This gives up a huge 9″ advantage to his opponent.

The most significant question about this match up would be if Ali could handle Tyson’s power. Based on his career, I think that he would be able to take Tyson’s best shots with relative ease. Ali faced no shortage of powerful opponents in addition to the hard hitting Liston, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Jerry Quarey and the man considered by most as the single hardest puncher in the history of boxing, Earnie Shavers. Tyson’s power wouldn’t faze Ali, and he had faced far more formidable opponents and, more importantly, hard hitters with more skills than Tyson.

Not only was Ali no stranger to power punchers, he could take an insane amount of punishment. The thing about Ali is that fact that he was never knocked out. He was only stopped inside the distance once, and that was a stoppage against Larry Holmes (in a fight he never should have taken). In other words, the suggestion that Tyson would even have a chance in this match up is hard to believe based on the inability of boxers to KO Ali. Frazier, Foreman, Liston, Shavers, Norton, etc. couldn’t do it. Norton broke Ali’s jaw and still didn’t get a stoppage victory. I have a hard time thinking that Tyson could do what these legends couldn’t.

Answer 3

I think Satan asks this question repeatedly on this site just to torment me using different names just to keep me in a constant state of agitation.  There is no scenario of existence related to the human condition that one can articulate that Ali would not be completely superior to Mike in, Ali was Mikes superior in every aspect.  How hundreds of people insist on comparing the two only shows how far the talent level of heavyweight division has dropped in the past 25 years.  It is distressing, because this question corresponds with studies in the drop in the moral and intellectual levels of American society as a whole over the past quarter century.  It mirrors the decay of the United States in the world's political, social and economic arena's.

Mike's name being mentioned in the same sentence as Ali's is the greatest honor you can do Mike Tyson, and a dishonor to Muhammad Ali's legacy, there is no comparison of the two, in or out of the ring.

Answer 4

No contest Tyson in 3 rounds

Answer 5

Ali in 12 rounds. It would be a split decision.

Answer 6

Tyson was brutal and would have gone in straight away with some big punches. Ali also knocked out some of the greats like you said. I feel that Ali was more skillful, who knew when to pick a punch and work the jab. He would force Tyson back and this would probably work Tyson down. Tyson won about 50 odd fights and a high percentage was by knock out. I don't feel that Tyson could handle the speed and skill level of Ali through the full 12 rounds. Ali fought  in matches that lasted for 15 rounds giving him the advantage in stamina. That is of course it would go the distance but would be unlikely.

As you can probably tell by the stuff i have written i think Ali would be victorious. I do not like Tyson that much but have a lot of respect that he was a great boxer but i feel Ali would have that extra edge.

Answer 7

Ali.

You are a Royals fan huh???

Answer 8

Watch the fight at LTN!

Click here to register - http://livetvnetwork.net/iceland/registe...

Put LiveTV under refferer so you can watch it!!

Answer 9

Ali gets inside of Tyson's mind and completely breaks his concentration. Ali was a master manipulator,way too intelligent for Tyson.  Ali keeps battering Tyson's face with his famous jab. This further frustrates and humiliates Tyson,who can't get his punches off.  After 9 rounds,Tyson completely looses control,throwing his stool into the crowd. He begins   pummeling his trainers for putting him in the ring with                

"the greatest of all time."

Answer 10

ali he was taller and faster and could take a punch did you see the george foreman fight that guy hit like a d**n truck and guess who won ali. ali was to fast and to smart he would school tyson. anyone who say tyson knows nothing about boxing the expert's agree with me.

Answer 11

Tyson was knocked out in his ''prime'' by James ''Buster'' Douglas!  Sure he could punch  and bully other fighters but when bullied back would crumble.

Tyson is in no boxing historians top ten and never will be. The heavyweight division was a joke when he was fighting. Tubbs, Smith, Thomas, Biggs, Williams, Berbick,Tucker. ugh!  

Holmes was 38 and took a $3 mil paycheck for the fight. I still cant see the punch Tyson landed that took out Spinks (Who was terrified) But Spinks sure did get up quick after he was counted out!

Long story short Ali would carve up Tyson like a Thankgiving turkey and probably taunt and torture him while doing it. Tyson would be lucky to land a handfull of punches.

Also I was at most of Tyson's fights in the 80's and he was a monster but he intimidated most of his foes. He would never had done that to Ali, it would be the other way around.

Answer 12

.

Answer 13

Lennox would have smoked them both

Answer 14

I agree with Blogbaba as far as this being a repeatedly tormenting question. It's asked often and it's a insult to Ali and all the other all time greats who have earned there mark of greatness. Tyson is a MYTH! Which is clearly understood by the regulars who participate in this forum!

We can debate great against great such as Louis, Marciano, Holmes, Liston, Frazier, Lewis, Johnson, Ali, Foreman even Holyfield. But Tyson never beat a great fighter in their prime! He only dominated for a 3 year period and the best fighter he beat in his prime was the immortal Tony Tucker! Unless you count the blown up light heavyweight Spinks. LARRY HOLMES WAS 38!!! Thats old for a fighter! On the other hand Tyson was 24 when Douglas(another immortal) KO'd him!

You may have grown up believing in the Tyson aura, but you were sold a fairy tale! He had power, but he lost every big fight against solid competition that he had!

****Great answers - Elmer fudstein! Simple but to the point!

Answer 15

Tyson, no doubts.