Unfortunately, we never got to see Ali in his absolute Prime. He was robbed of those years. We saw him just as he was beginning to enter his prime, and show his greatness, and then afterwards. He was still great, until he got old.
I'd go Tyson. The Tyson is his prime was just a machine. Before he became F'd up. I think it would have been similar to the 1st Ali Frazier fight. Ali pecking and pawing, Tyson keeps coming and eventually put him on the canvass. The one mystery is if Tyson would have been able to go 15 rounds, since they had shortened fights to 12 by his time.
I'd go Tyson. The Tyson is his prime was just a machine. Before he became F'd up. I think it would have been similar to the 1st Ali Frazier fight. Ali pecking and pawing, Tyson keeps coming and eventually put him on the canvass. The one mystery is if Tyson would have been able to go 15 rounds, since they had shortened fights to 12 by his time.
Tyson was so overrated and he could never actually box....for those who follow the sport for countless years know exactly what I mean. He was destroyed by actual boxers who could box. Real deal and Lewis for 2 of those reasons.
As for Ali, take away his mouth and he would only be talked about by pure boxing fans
As for Ali, take away his mouth and he would only be talked about by pure boxing fans
Prime vs Prime I'd probably say Ali. If Tyson didn't KO him in 3 or 4 rds then he would get tee'd off on. So many guys were just mentally defeated going into the fight vs Tyson and that wouldn't be the case vs Ali.
Ali overcame so much in his career between the 3 year layoff, fought way tougher comp than Tyson fight after fight and just had way more resolve because of everything he had been through. When Tyson came up in the 80s he was obviously very protected because his promoters knew they didn't really need much out of the B side since people just wanted to see Tyson destroy someone.
Ali's career resume is a murderers row of great wins. Frazier, Foreman, Norton, Lyle, Young, Liston.
Ali overcame so much in his career between the 3 year layoff, fought way tougher comp than Tyson fight after fight and just had way more resolve because of everything he had been through. When Tyson came up in the 80s he was obviously very protected because his promoters knew they didn't really need much out of the B side since people just wanted to see Tyson destroy someone.
Ali's career resume is a murderers row of great wins. Frazier, Foreman, Norton, Lyle, Young, Liston.
I agree 100%.....If he didn't knock you out in the 1st few rounds he sucked as a boxer.
He was a brawler not a boxer.
He couldn't stand toe to toe with Buster Douglas or Evander Holyfield.
One of the most overrated athletes in history.
When you think about it.....Tyson really fought 1 solid fighter in his career and that was Holyfield....He fought nobodies.
Ali banged with the best of them....Frazier,Foreman,Shavers,Norton even Leon Spinks was a bruiser.
Let`s not forget Jimmy Young.
Back in Ali`s days they were 15 rounders......Tyson 12 rounders.
Ali banged with the best of them....Frazier,Foreman,Shavers,Norton even Leon Spinks was a bruiser.
Let`s not forget Jimmy Young.
Back in Ali`s days they were 15 rounders......Tyson 12 rounders.
Holyfield had a great career.....Those Riddick Bowe fights were great.
As great as Ali was, I do think in his prime Foreman takes him more than 50% of the time. I know he lost in Zaire but that was a legitimate upset. Foreman was a stone cold destroyer in his prime. You watch the fights with Frazier and Frazier just was completely overwhelmed.
But it is tough to say since everything Ali went through.
But it is tough to say since everything Ali went through.
Ali`s weight class was one of the best of all time.....Ali,Frazier,Norton,Foreman,Spinks,Ellis,Lyle,Young.
He fought the best.
The other great weight class of fighters were.
Sugar Ray Leonard
Marvin Hagler
Roberto Duran
Tommy Hearns
Great era for boxing along with the Ali days.
Sugar Ray Leonard
Marvin Hagler
Roberto Duran
Tommy Hearns
Great era for boxing along with the Ali days.
