If they thought 3 times tyson would win the first and lose the next 2 due to Ali's ring smarts and adaptability. Tyson only has 1 strategy and that was to go forward and destroy. Frazier beat Ali the first time and he had a similar bob and weave defence to tyson, although tyson could punch with both hands and had incredible hand speed.
Tyson beats Frazier
Tyson beats foreman
Prime Ali of 1966-67 would have danced his way to 15 round UD. Prime Ali of 1973-75 would have stopped Tyson on cuts or knocked him out in the later round after surviving his onslaughts in the first six rounds.
Tyson had no in fighting skills but better defense and that would prove the differences in the fight . If Frazier could rough Tyson up inside, Frazier could proceed to wear him down for TKO; if Tyson could land harder and more often, I think Tyson could win by TKO or UD.
Foreman of 1972-73 vintage would have kayoed Tyson. Foreman liked them coming/boring in so that he could put his ponderous punching power to bear. Ali did not kayo Foreman. Fatigue and the heat in Kinsasha did. I don't think Bowe Holyfield and Lewis had the chilling power of the prime best Foreman whose jabs and hooks could penetrate the high guards of opponents as Ken Norton and knock them out cold.
ALI wins by TKO.
ALI was not only faster on his feet but with his hands too. He had a 9 inch reach advantage (ALI had an 80 inch reach) and weighed about 210lbs in his prime (1966-67). He had a razor fast jab and threw faster combinations, he took shots from Sonny Liston (who hit harder than Tyson). Tyson was a counter-punching swarmer, he swarmed from his opponents mistakes. He had the Peek-A-Boo defense system and regularly used short hooks, uppercuts. This isn't even a contest.
Ali would make mince meat of Tyson.
tyson
I know i know, it's been asked a hundred times and on many many blogs, just wondering what some thoughts are about the fight (and reaction to my opinion as well).
I'd take Ali over Tyson. I think we can all agree anything before round 6 stoppage Tyson wins, anything after Ali wins. And i just don't see Tyson being able to knock Ali out. Hurt him, yes, punish him, yes, knock him down, possibly, but knock him out? I just think Ali was too big, too fast, too strong, too much range, and most importantly too smart to let that happen. I think he survives the Tyson blitz early on, and out boxes him with accuracy and stamina to wear tyson down and either wins by a late round ko or a unanimous decision.
Agree, disagree, thoughts?
Also out of curiosity, Frazier vs Tyson or Foreman vs Tyson? (it really is a shame Tyson was basically alone as a legend in his era while those 3 guys all had each other to fight not to mention nortan)
