This fight is mentioned more than any other fight on the boards. If you take ALI-74 against Tyson 86, it might be closer to even than most people think, The reason for this is that you have a Pre-prime Tyson against a Post-Prime ALI. ALI is wiser and Tyson is just young, raw power.
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By your admission, you're much too young to appreciate the best of ALI. Go watch the ALI of the mid 60s, just approaching his prime, when he was exiled from the sport. Tyson peaked in 88 but his prime didn't last very long.
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It would be easy to say that Tyson 68 would beat the old ALI of 74 but I think that version of ALI would survive until he exposes what we had not learned yet about Tyson. Even at his best, Tyson never had great stamina.
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It would make for a boring fight in the beginning because every time Tyson gets close, ALI would tie him up and frustrate him. After missing enough punches in the beginning, Tyson would become winded. It's been proven, time and again, that Tyson can be easily taken out of his game. For all his raw power, he is one of the mentally weakest of champions. ALI, on the other hand, mastered psychological warfare.
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It's the same as when ALI fought Foreman in 74. Foreman was also a young ball of raw power but didn't know how to use his power best. Tyson is quick and could score a knockdown or even stop ALI early. But that's not likely.
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The other thing going against him is the turmoil in Tyson's life. I actually witnessed a lot of it because I worked in NJ and have seen every one of Tyson's fights there, life. I've met him many times. He never had control of his life or the role that others played in it. Erase Robin, Ruth and the rest of the clowns and another motley crew simply takes their place.
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By comparison, ALI also had an entourage the size of an army. The difference is that he was the undisputed boss. He matched to his own beat. The younger ALI was a bit of a follower but never to the extent of Tyson. By this time, ALI was in the driver's seat.
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It's all these intangibles that give ALI the nod against Tyson. Mike would be wound up tighter than a drum before the first bell.
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Now, if you take both at prime, the story is entirely different. You have less psychology, though ALI would still clearly have the edge. In this case, Tyson is the one who would end up intimidated. Once ALI realizes he can get under Tyson's skin, which isn't very difficult, he would torture him.
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Then the torment continues in the ring. For all his hand speed, Tyson needs a stationairy target to be successful. ALI would be anything but. You just can't imagine how easily ALI would hit Tyson at will. The difference is that, while ALI isn't a KO puncher, this is before he developed bursitus in his hands. A lightweight can hit you often enough and, if you can't stop it or hit back, it wears you down.
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Either way, I just don't see Tyson winning this fight. True, ALI-74 was old. However, he would exploit Tyson's mental and physical weaknesses unlike anyone ever has.
ALI by TKO in 12
tyson would beat Ali of 74 he had been beaten by norton and frazier and was well past his prime
Most people only know what they have seen, usually on t.v.
Since Ali has not fought during the lifetime of the majority of fans, he is history and like comparing other fighters from an earlier era they are not thought to be as good as the fighters today.
Those of us that actually watched Ali, Liston, Marciano, and other great fighters know that Tyson is not the greatest or even in the top 5 or 10 all time.
If you only saw a young Tyson knocking out people you probably have a higher opinion of him than if you realistically compared him to the great fighters from different times.
Anyone who knows anything about boxing understands that Ali was completely and totally superior to Tyson in every comparable category. Ali would have KOed Tyson faster than Holyfield did.
Tyson loses on everything, according to the book. Bodytype to height to stamina to style to reach to durability to heart to realness and etc...
Tryin to win with a KO punch is always a horrible strategy vs a superb boxer. Did you see how horrible Tyson looked vs the boxer Buster James Douglas, or Lennox Lewis? I think Holmes was paid to take a beating, just like Spinks had to, besides his list of bum opponents.
i really dont understand why people still ask this question
Fuuck a 1973 Ali. Gimme a 1966 Ali! Back when he literally looked like he was floating around the ring. He could do that for 15 rounds easily. Tyson was explosive and very fast in his own regard, but I see a prime Ali completely nullifying his offense.
People will offer their opinions at any time, especially when the subject can't actually be proven.
You could conceivably make an argument for either side: in their heydays, Tyson was a stronger, meaner fighter while Ali was more of a tactician or wore his opponent down before going in for the kill.
Its much like comparing teams or players from other eras as well. Seeing them go head-to-head can never happen so we make a case for our side.
Lets assume a 1973/4 Ali fought a 1986/7 Tyson (I believe they were his best years, not sure when Alis best years were). Realistically the fight could possibly go either way but I really believe Ali would stop him or at least win a decision.
Tyson was a great heavyweight but couldnt really compete against bigger/ more skilled fighters like Holyfield, Lewis or the GOAT McBride
