Young Tyson Vs. Young Ali

[Favpack]

Who wins?

Iron Mike was a beast from '85 until several unfortunate incidents. Ali was... Ali.

I think Ali would keep him at bay, and Mike would not succeed in cutting off the ring. Tyson would get frustrated and then lose his noggin.

I watched Tyson vs. Quick Tillis last night - and Tillis made him look average for 4 or 5 rounds - and he was not a great boxer.

I wonder if Tyson was a better puncher than Liston, and no way he could punch like Foreman.

I give the nod to Ali.

[dada]

What people fail to remember is that what made Tyson..."TYSON" in his heyday was not only his power....it was his SPEED, movement and Defensive ability.....Ali had all that and some. Ali's Jab, and movment would frustrated Tyson....then you add the fact that Ali had the power to stop him...

Ali by decsion.

[JOH]

Ali would lose both ears.

[Favpack]

Ali would lose both ears.

Haha - funny.

Tyson was unbelievably quick - but Ali was no slouch in terms of hand speed.

[ktCarl]

Ali would knock out Tyson in the later rounds 8 or 9. Ali's boxing style would frustrate Tyson. Look what happened to Tyson vs Buster Douglas and Buster boxed sort of like Ali in that match.

Ali knocks out Tyson in Round 9.

[HUM398]

What people fail to remember is that what made Tyson..."TYSON" in his heyday was not only his power....it was his SPEED, movement and Defensive ability.....Ali had all that and some. Ali's Jab, and movment would frustrated Tyson....then you add the fact that Ali had the power to stop him...

Ali by decsion.

Disagree.

Tyson wins based on his Power.


The Speed of tyson helps him avoid that cat and mouse game Ali played, and land some serious punches.


To me it ends in a late round knock out...Tyson on top

[twcpfan1]

Ali would knock out Tyson in the later rounds 8 or 9. Ali's boxing style would frustrate Tyson. Look what happened to Tyson vs Buster Douglas and Buster boxed sort of like Ali in that match.

Ali knocks out Tyson in Round 9.

Not sure a young Ali would be as smart as the old Ali who knocked Foreman out in the jungle. But he would be stronger and faster. Young Ali in 7 or 8.

[LoneRocket]

Who wins?

Iron Mike was a beast from '85 until several unfortunate incidents. Ali was... Ali.

I think Ali would keep him at bay, and Mike would not succeed in cutting off the ring. Tyson would get frustrated and then lose his noggin.

I watched Tyson vs. Quick Tillis last night - and Tillis made him look average for 4 or 5 rounds - and he was not a great boxer.

I wonder if Tyson was a better puncher than Liston, and no way he could punch like Foreman.

I give the nod to Ali.

Tyson was better because of Cus D'Amato and Kevin Rooney keeping him focused. Tyson's down fall might had started when Cus died and he got involved with a bird named Robin and a King who might had to contributed to the firing of his long time trainer Kevin Rooney for yes men.

[dada]

Disagree.

Tyson wins based on his Power.


The Speed of tyson helps him avoid that cat and mouse game Ali played, and land some serious punches.


To me it ends in a late round knock out...Tyson on top

Ali would be able to off set Tysons power the way he did with Norton(who broke Ali's jaw),Frazier and Foreman who all had bricks for fist.

[Aggies2009]

Disagree.

Tyson wins based on his Power.


The Speed of tyson helps him avoid that cat and mouse game Ali played, and land some serious punches.


To me it ends in a late round knock out...Tyson on top

Gotta go with HUM on this one. A young Tyson would beat ANYONE. Ali didn't even fight most of his greatest fights until AFTER his exile from boxing. He was good, but not the incredible tactician we know today. Meanwhile, I think of Tyson's first 20 fights, he got knockouts in like 18 of them, mostly in the first 2 rounds.

However, comparing these two is like comparing football teams from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s to teams today; you can't do it. Ali fought when the norm for fighters was much different. Ali was the exception to the rule. Don't guard with hands, dance away from shots. He was one of the first to do this, much less utilize it in the way that he did. Tyson was used to fighting such fighters and could have probably matched up well while back in the Frazier/Foreman/Norton/Lyle/Ali era, he was one of a few, so it was hard to prepare for him. And a young Tyson had an unbelievable trainer, so that would prevent him from getting talked off his game as Ali liked to do.

[stevefoxsc]

I'm going with Tyson.

Tyson would get a slow start then turn the tide.

[stevefoxsc]

Gotta go with HUM on this one. A young Tyson would beat ANYONE. Ali didn't even fight most of his greatest fights until AFTER his exile from boxing. He was good, but not the incredible tactician we know today. Meanwhile, I think of Tyson's first 20 fights, he got knockouts in like 18 of them, mostly in the first 2 rounds.

However, comparing these two is like comparing football teams from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s to teams today; you can't do it. Ali fought when the norm for fighters was much different. Ali was the exception to the rule. Don't guard with hands, dance away from shots. He was one of the first to do this, much less utilize it in the way that he did. Tyson was used to fighting such fighters and could have probably matched up well while back in the Frazier/Foreman/Norton/Lyle/Ali era, he was one of a few, so it was hard to prepare for him. And a young Tyson had an unbelievable trainer, so that would prevent him from getting talked off his game as Ali liked to do.

I kind of have to agree with you, there is an old fight of Ali Vs Antonio innoki, yes i will admit its 2 different styles of fighting, but the thing that should be indicated in this fight. Antonio innoki only did the same thing over and over, and well, he destroyed Ali.

[countfisto]

Tyson's speed in his prime was jawdropping. not just his hand speed but his head movement as well. for a guy with that much power to punch that fast was incredible. I thought Tyson was at his absolute peak when he destroyed Spinks.

[b756561]

Tyson's speed in his prime was jawdropping. not just his hand speed but his head movement as well. for a guy with that much power to punch that fast was incredible. I thought Tyson was at his absolute peak when he destroyed Spinks.

I'd like to see Tyson against Rocky Marciano. True there was no young Marciano in boxing. He didn't have his first fight until he was 24 or 25, but in just 4 years became the heavyweight champion. He had 49 fights in his career and won all 49, 43 by knockout. The Brockton Blockbuster. One sports writer commented that if all the heavyweight champions of all time were locked together in a room, Marciano would be the one to walk out. I think he's right.
http://smiliesftw.com/x/boxing.gif

[countfisto]

Ali would knock out Tyson in the later rounds 8 or 9. Ali's boxing style would frustrate Tyson. Look what happened to Tyson vs Buster Douglas and Buster boxed sort of like Ali in that match.

Ali knocks out Tyson in Round 9.

the Douglas fight was a farce. it was pretty obvious Tyson just wasn't in it. I remember reading how Tyson claimed he was screwing Japanese women left and right up till the night before the fight.

the fight was still incredible to watch though. I remember watching it live and was shocked as hell. at the time, Tyson seemed invincible and people would call you crazy if you said he could be beaten.

[twcpfan1]

If Mike could never figure out how to beat Evander, no way he'd figure out how to beat Ali.

[countfisto]

If Mike could never figure out how to beat Evander, no way he'd figure out how to beat Ali.

true but gotta remember that was post-prison Mike. he never was the same after prison. fight should've happened years earlier just like the Lewis fight.

[twcpfan1]

true but gotta remember that was post-prison Mike. he never was the same after prison. fight should've happened years earlier just like the Lewis fight.

The Foreman fight was post prison Ali. We can't keep attaching conditions to the comparison.

[ktCarl]

Gotta go with HUM on this one. A young Tyson would beat ANYONE. Ali didn't even fight most of his greatest fights until AFTER his exile from boxing. He was good, but not the incredible tactician we know today. Meanwhile, I think of Tyson's first 20 fights, he got knockouts in like 18 of them, mostly in the first 2 rounds.

However, comparing these two is like comparing football teams from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s to teams today; you can't do it. Ali fought when the norm for fighters was much different. Ali was the exception to the rule. Don't guard with hands, dance away from shots. He was one of the first to do this, much less utilize it in the way that he did. Tyson was used to fighting such fighters and could have probably matched up well while back in the Frazier/Foreman/Norton/Lyle/Ali era, he was one of a few, so it was hard to prepare for him. And a young Tyson had an unbelievable trainer, so that would prevent him from getting talked off his game as Ali liked to do.

But young Tyson couldn't beat a washed up Buster Douglas.

[dada]

But young Tyson couldn't beat a washed up Buster Douglas.

even before prison....anyone with a decent jab gave Tyson problems.

[CCCSportsFan]

Tyson was better because of Cus D'Amato and Kevin Rooney keeping him focused. Tyson's down fall might had started when Cus died and he got involved with a bird named Robin and a King who might had to contributed to the firing of his long time trainer Kevin Rooney for yes men.

+1..
Had the team of Cus and Kevin been able to stay together for another 6-7 years, I think Tyson would have gone down as the most dominate fighter ever. Once Cus died, sadly Tyson's personal life became a train wreck and his was only fighting on instinct. Very little focus and little to no strategy in the ring.

In their younger days, it's a tough call but I think Ali would have beat him, especially if the fight was after the loss of Cus and Kevin. Ali was one of the smartest guys to ever fight and I believe he'd have figured iron Mike out during the fight...

[buzzsaw]

The Foreman fight was post prison Ali. We can't keep attaching conditions to the comparison.

Post prison/exile Ali was better than post prison Tyson. The years off had a greater effect on Tyson. Ali became smarter as he got older...which was the opposite for Tyson.

[buzzsaw]

Who wins?

Iron Mike was a beast from '85 until several unfortunate incidents. Ali was... Ali.

I think Ali would keep him at bay, and Mike would not succeed in cutting off the ring. Tyson would get frustrated and then lose his noggin.

I watched Tyson vs. Quick Tillis last night - and Tillis made him look average for 4 or 5 rounds - and he was not a great boxer.

I wonder if Tyson was a better puncher than Liston, and no way he could punch like Foreman.

I give the nod to Ali.

Tyson was right behind Foreman in all time punching power. However, Tyson's speed was what set him apart. His speed was incredible. Foreman has destructive power but was nowhere near as fast as Tyson. Tyson under Kevin Rooney had not only power but speed, head movement, and defense. Just like they said at the time, the Tyson that destroyed Michael Spinks in 1988 would beat any fighter ever. That's when he was at his absolute best. He beat all of Don King's fighters so King then signed Tyson,Tyson fired Rooney(in '88), and it went downhill from there. like Rooney said when Tyson was in jail, "He could have been the best heavweight ever, broken Rocky Marciano's record,....and now he's sitting in a prison cell."

but in regards to the thread, young Tyson(under Rooney) would beat young Ali. on the other hand, older Ali would beat older Tyson.

[Aggies2009]

I kind of have to agree with you, there is an old fight of Ali Vs Antonio innoki, yes i will admit its 2 different styles of fighting, but the thing that should be indicated in this fight. Antonio innoki only did the same thing over and over, and well, he destroyed Ali.

That wasn't a fight, it was acting. The people of Japan were trying to let Inoki win to remain undefeated (he was a pro wrestler, not a fighter of any means... all of his fights were scripted). The fight ended in a draw on points after Ali's corner made rules against grabbing and doing pretty much anything. Inoki laid down and of course Ali, only able to punch, was unable to land any shots.

Ali had trouble with Karl Mildenberger, Oscar Bonavena (who knocked Frazier down twice and went the distance both times), Ken Norton, Ron Lyle, Joe Frazier, and Chuck Wepner. He was hardly invincible.

[mojotrain]

Who wins?

Iron Mike was a beast from '85 until several unfortunate incidents. Ali was... Ali.

I think Ali would keep him at bay, and Mike would not succeed in cutting off the ring. Tyson would get frustrated and then lose his noggin.

I watched Tyson vs. Quick Tillis last night - and Tillis made him look average for 4 or 5 rounds - and he was not a great boxer.

I wonder if Tyson was a better puncher than Liston, and no way he could punch like Foreman.

I give the nod to Ali.

Ali in my opinion.

[Firebird]

Gotta go with HUM on this one. A young Tyson would beat ANYONE. Ali didn't even fight most of his greatest fights until AFTER his exile from boxing. He was good, but not the incredible tactician we know today. Meanwhile, I think of Tyson's first 20 fights, he got knockouts in like 18 of them, mostly in the first 2 rounds.

However, comparing these two is like comparing football teams from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s to teams today; you can't do it. Ali fought when the norm for fighters was much different. Ali was the exception to the rule. Don't guard with hands, dance away from shots. He was one of the first to do this, much less utilize it in the way that he did. Tyson was used to fighting such fighters and could have probably matched up well while back in the Frazier/Foreman/Norton/Lyle/Ali era, he was one of a few, so it was hard to prepare for him. And a young Tyson had an unbelievable trainer, so that would prevent him from getting talked off his game as Ali liked to do.

One thing I would say is that boxing is probably the only sport where I think it's clear that fighters of the past have an edge in athleticism, skill,and talent over fighters today.

People forget that well up into the 1970s and early 80s boxing was THE big money sport. An athlete could make a far better living as a boxer than as a football player, for instance. Ali-Frazier III had a guaranteed gate for each fighter of 2.5 million dollars (granted, that payout had to be spread out among trainers and entourages). Meanwhile, lots of pro football player in the 1970s usually had to work a second job or moonlight as a pro wrestler just to feed his family. Terry Bradshaw made 400,000 in his best year, for instance. The best boxers were superstar celebrities and raked in endorsements like football or basketball players do now as well.

Long story short, now that other sports can make you fantastically rich, the great athletes are drawn to them instead of boxing. As brutal as pro football is, going that route offers you the chance at an education (boxing never did) as well as a fantastic minimum salary and a shot at becoming fantastically rich. It's not as hard a life as that of a prize fighter, either. There are a LOT of great athletes in the NFL that in another era would probably be lacing up the gloves, and the sport of boxing has noticed their absence. Think what kind of boxer a Ray Lewis could have been, for instance.

[SeguinMatadors]

Honestly, I would take that dude Js over both of them.