MTKrav911

Tyson said it best in 1991 on THe Arsenio Hall show when Tyson was on the show sitting next to Ali when asked. In his prime, who would win between you and Ali?

Tyson: "Every knee must bend. In the history of boxing, Ali is the best counter puncher ever and if I hit him like I hit guys now, He'd knock me out with a combination I wouldnt even see coming!"

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"I may not break your spirit, but I sure as hell can break your back! Last Stop MeatbalL!" - Thunderlips (Rocky III)

striker

It is hard to say. Here you have a monster in Tyson with his speed, power, and killer instinct; against Ali's finesse with his speed and superoir boxing skills. I think early on, it is Tyson's fight. But the latter part of the fight might be to Ali's favor. I think both would be able to defeat each other. But I would slightly favor Tyson's monstrocity over Ali's finesse.

spiritofbattle

ali all the way

w0264007

If Frazier hit like Tyson, We'd all be saying, "Ali who?"

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SmashingMachine

LOL...c'mon, Frazier hit like a Mack Truck.

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w0264007

If Frazier hit like a mack truck, then Tyson hit like a freight train

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LastExit34

Given the choice of which to receive, I'll take option C.

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Bull

Tyson hit much harder than Frazier.

IrishMike

Ali's best punch was his jab. I think tysons head movement, and remarkable ability to slip punches, would mean ali would be unable to land with any degree of frequency!
Plus Ali always had trouble with shorter, come-forward type fighters that threw big hooks, think frazier and cooper to name two. The master at getting inside was tyson. His speed, ferocity and power i think would be too much for Ali. I really thing a prime tyson is the greatest of all time.

Someone quoted an interview between the two. On the same interview, Ali said Tyson was the greatest! However, these interviews are bad gauges, because when fighters are on good terms, as these two seemed to be. They heap praise on each other for the cameras!

kerubee

I totally disagree.

Tyson could never get close to Joe Frazier knowing how to get inside infront of taller guys.

The only thing Tyson got going for him was the speed to be the first to punch thus "scaring" or getting by surprise to some good fighters even better than him.

"Buster" Douglas showed us that Mike can not take two punches of the same intensity of power.

Good fighters stay good until the last fight; unless otherwise they take a fight they knew before hand, were not suppose to fight.

IrishMike

Yeah Joe Frazier really knew how to handle a taller George Foreman! Once he found out he couldnt get inside, he had no plan B, and stood right at the end of foremans punches!

As for saying Tyson's only weapon was his speed of hitting first, this isn't playground fighting, these fighters get hit everyday, and they are not going to be "scared" by one single punch!
His only weapon?? I suggest getting out the berbick, pinklon thomas (particularily this one, where he showed he could box outside) and Larry Holmes fights and studying them to see what Tyson could do. What about his prodigious power, his head movement? Great defence, flawless technique, especially on the inside where he was an unmatched counter puncher, able to fire off quick combinations from tight distances, a hook that was almost as good as a jab in terms of speed and range, overall ring intelligence. Not forgetting, he was probably the most ruthless finisher in heavyweight history, apart from foreman.

Tyson lost the Buster Douglas fight because he was out till four in the morning enjoying the Tokyo nightlife! His carelessness mirrored by a corner who didn't even have a no-swell! They had a balloon filled with water!

I'm a boxer myself, and I dont think I have ever met another one who didnt appreciate Mike Tyson.

sitnspin

Ridiculous. Compare what fighters Ali beat (in their prime) with what fighters Tyson beat (in their prime). You're comparing a bunch of highlight reel KOs of lesser opponents who were FED to Tyson against Ali's wins over Ken Norton, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Floyd Patterson, and Sonny Liston? And Ali was that great a fighter back before all the advancements in training and nutrition and the resources available to Tyson. Sorry Mike, but "the greatest of all time" is already a title reserved for one man, and it sure isn't Mike Tyson.

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IrishMike

We've been over this already, earlier in this thread SitnSpin, you and I!

IrishMike

Dont let anyone think I am in anyway dissing Ali here though, based on my pro-Tyson stance. Ali was beyond doubt one of the greatest. And there is a great case to be made that he was in fact THE greatest to ever step in the ring. Out of the ring he had nor I dont think ever will be matched, witty articulate he had it all. Plus the impact he made politically, not only with the vietnam situation. But also his bravery and sense of personal dignity that made him refuse to conform to what white america wanted him to be! The man is a true hero. A benchmark in what a good man is! I dont think the same can be said for Tyson.

Also, I am not talking about career's here! Ali's career is far better reading than Tyson's too, I am not denying that spanning his career, ali fought much better quality opposition. We are talking about, in a one on one match, given the styles and qualities of each fighter in their primes, who would win. I think Tyson! I even feel bad saying that, given the huge love and respect I have for Ali!

I was watching "when we were kings" the other night! I NEARLY cried, nearly!!!! I'm too manly for that!! LOL My girlf was, staring me out it, hoping a tear would come! I always tease her when she cries at like Notting hill, and awful rubbish like that! LOL