Mohammad Ali

Tyson destroyed his prey, usually within a minute or two.  If you can last a few rounds with Tyson you have a legit shot.  Ali would be that perfect opponent for Tyson... he used his head and could use his boxing skills to wear down Tyson.

I don't think anybody can be certain who would be better - but it would have been a great matchup.  I can see it go both ways.

Agreed - it's the silliest of all boxing debates. Tyson never fought anyone with close to the skill, foot & hand speed of Ali. He fought a bunch of mediocre (or worse) to good fighters (being kind) & was crushed by Lewis & Holyfield (the best of that time- bot who were older than Tyson) along with getting ko'd by a journeyman in Buster Douglas. M. Spinks was good, but a lightheavy & past his prime. Last decent W Tyson had was probably vs Carl (Truth) Williams, lol. The most overrated heavyweight in history imo. To say he was even close to as good as Ali in his best years (or would/could beat him other than having a freak punchers chance) is beyond ludicrous.

I think that Tyson was a tremendous fighter however his "boxing" skills were pretty much non existent. He entered the ring and peaked at a time when the heavy weight class was in complete disaster mode. Fighters were out of shape, lacked speed, lacked power, and basic pro caliber skill. etc etc.... 

Eventually trainers began to recognize the weakness in the sport and began training fighters to establish a jab against him. A serious jab and one that could mash his street fight approach and wild hook shots. 

Douglas did that by simply executing the fundamentals of boxing, Holyfield as well. 

Respectfully, Ali would have no difficulty whatsoever. 

I still take Tyson in his prime before Cus died. He was more of a bob and weaver--- not just a straight ahead puncher. 

If Frazier and Norton could get inside on Ali --- pretty sure Tyson in his prime could have, and Tyson was a much better finisher than they were. Ask the average guy who some of those guys Ali beat were---they wouldn't recognize most of them. So, aside from a handful it is hard to say the competition was that much better.  Frazier, for example was undersized.  Heavyweights today are bigger and stronger as well. People also forget how fast Tyson was. 

I still say the same guy beat Ali four times---four different ways. So it is not like Ali couldn't be beat. Eddie Futch is still my all time favorite trainer. But he certainly exposed some of Ali's weaknesses. 

But you can still go watch some of the old fights---and some of them simply didn't look all that great. 

But Ali is still for sure an all time great---without a doubt!  Just think because of his appeal and slickness he is slightly overrated. Sort of the way I see Sugar Ray Leonard. 

But either way, I agree it would be an interesting fight!  

Tyson would die against either one. 

Hard not to like Frazier and feel a little sorry for him.  He was so elite. He only lost to Foreman and Ali. The power of Foreman showed what could happen to him. Which is why I would give Tyson the nod as well.    Couple of good quotes: