1960s + 1970s Muhammad Ali"s vs Mike Tyson

[GordonChen]

1960s Muhammad Ali vs Mike Tyson
1970s Muhammad Ali vs Mike Tyson
How would these two results go?

[Ezzard]

60s Ali is 50-50

70s Ali wins by KO after round 10.

[goose 5]

I see it the other way. 60's Ali wins but 70's Ali loses.

[tiny_acres]

The only version of Ali that Tyson beats is 1976 or after

[gilgamesh]

The only version of Ali that Tyson beats is 1976 or after

That's what I was gonna say. I'd favor Tyson to beat Ali after the Thrilla, but until then I don't think he could beat Ali.

[elmersalsa]

In my view, The Greatest's prime was from 1964-72. After the exile in 1970, Muhammad Ali was not as fast as he was in the 1960s decade. But, after the exile, he was much more stronger and could take a better shot. He was still fast, but some of his speed decreased.

Mike Tyson's prime was from 1985-91, before going to jail in 1992. After coming back from jail in 1995, he was a ring circus. He was just beating guys off his reputation until a real fighter named Evander Holyfield gave him a beating in 1996.

Saying that, Ali beats Tyson in my view every day of the week, twice on Sunday. Tyson has a better shot at the Ali after The Thrilla in Manila onwards. That's Tyson's best shot to beat Ali.


Ali wins by decision. He is not knocking out Tyson at his very best. Buster Douglas stopped Tyson in Tokyo in 1990, but, Tyson was not in great shape that night. But, it was a great performance by Douglas.

[gilgamesh]

In my view, The Greatest's prime was from 1964-72. After the exile in 1970, Muhammad Ali was not as fast as he was in the 1960s decade. But, after the exile, he was much more stronger and could take a better shot. He was still fast, but some of his speed decreased.

Mike Tyson's prime was from 1985-91, before going to jail in 1992. After coming back from jail in 1995, he was a ring circus. He was just beating guys off his reputation until a real fighter named Evander Holyfield gave him a beating in 1996.

Saying that, Ali beats Tyson in my view every day of the week, twice on Sunday. Tyson has a better shot at the Ali after The Thrilla in Manila onwards. That's Tyson's best shot to beat Ali.


Ali wins by decision. He is not knocking out Tyson at his very best. Buster Douglas stopped Tyson in Tokyo in 1990, but, Tyson was not in great shape that night. But, it was a great performance by Douglas.

He could quite possibly knock out Tyson for the same reason he knocked out Foreman. By exhausting him. I can easily see him talking sh*t in Mike Tyson's ear, getting him angry, and making him empty his gas tank by continuing to attack him in anger.

[Ambling Alp II]

Ali from 1964-1967 would have beaten Tyson easily. He was great both offensively and defensively. Only heavyweight in history who was. (Maybe only fighter period) Ali would be hitting Tyson routinely and Tyson would seldom be able to nail him. He would have beaten anyone at this time.
Ali 1970-1975 vs prime Tyson would be interesting. Ali clearly was not as good but still usually impressive. He was much easier to hit. Tyson would win occasionally.

Of course, when we do these comparisons with Ali, we seldom look at the other guy when he is past it.

Tyson had stages to his career as well. Imagine how a 1965 Ali would do against say Tyson post-Holyfield?

[gilgamesh]

Who wins if it's the Berbick version of Ali and the McBride version of Tyson?

I'd favor Ali

So if all is equal. Both at their best. Both at their worst. I'm picking Ali.

[goose 5]

I'd take 2005 Tyson to stop 1981 Ali.

[gilgamesh]

I'd take 2005 Tyson to stop 1981 Ali.

I wouldn't. After 4 rounds even if he's winning he's just gonna quit, and he ain't gonna stop Ali in less than 4 rounds.

[Expug]

I'd take 2005 Tyson to stop 1981 Ali.

I wouldn't. After 4 rounds even if he's winning he's just gonna quit, and he ain't gonna stop Ali in less than 4 rounds.

And, if you recall, after the McBride fight , Tyson said he “ didn’t wanna do this anymore “.
Ali , definitely wanted to keep going.
Just putting that out there. A fighter isn’t gonna beat anybody when he doesn’t want to be in there

[gilgamesh]

I'd take 2005 Tyson to stop 1981 Ali.

I wouldn't. After 4 rounds even if he's winning he's just gonna quit, and he ain't gonna stop Ali in less than 4 rounds.

And, if you recall, after the McBride fight , Tyson said he “ didn’t wanna do this anymore “.
Ali , definitely wanted to keep going.
Just putting that out there. A fighter isn’t gonna beat anybody when he doesn’t want to be in there

Exactly. Ali even at his lowest still WANTED to win. He just wasn't able to.