I think Holyfield would have given Ali Hell based on his style, Lennox, Vitali, Wlad based on size and athletic ability. Chris Byrd would have been difficult for Ali. Riddick Bowe may have been tough for him. Larry Holmes would always be tough for him. It's a style matchup that doesn't suit Tyson is all...Mike Tyson was great going forwards, well Ali was just as great going backwards, if you're a big puncher, if you're a pressure fighter you're going to be a Bull chasing a Matador the entire fight and Ali had the speed and skills to avoid Tyson's power. Ali's chin, his ability to recover, his ability to use his speed AS his power...that doesn't work well vs what Tyson did well.
You wouldn't beat Tyson, at his best, by moving and jabbing. Everything he did, the whole focus of the D'Amato style, is slipping the jab. If you are moving it let's him use his own fast and skillful feet. Then he cuts distance throws a shift into the mix and hits you with punches you don't see.
Two things to keep in mind. First, Ali moved almost exclusively to his left; if he did move right he didn't punch. That makes sense because he jabbed and followed his left foot. Second, Tyson didn't fight well inside but he did damage on the way in. That would also be the time Ali would be most vulnerable to getting nailed.
Learn Mike Tyson style and elements of Peekaboo @ SugarBoxing
@AdamGB another post in which you point that out, another post in which you 'blame' the ~ref~ for `calling` too many <warnings> against 'Ali'.
Last edited by brocktonblockbust; 05-29-2015 at 01:18 AM. Reason: Adam GB Hamburger ~special~ Thurs. nite deal
One thing about the Cus system; it is reflex based. Being so square you always have to react to straight punches. When Floyd slowed a bit he moved his feet into a more traditional stance. Tyson stuck to the system.
Brockton Tyson isn't Ken Norton and styles make fights.
As for the jumping left hook...when launching Mike would have to have set his feet in order to get that leaping left hook off.
Again Ali is all wrong for Tyson
Yeah and who basically ended Rooney's career? Arguello, a lanky fighter that could control distance. Ali didn't have the pop of Arguello, but he had length and speed as well as footwork.
Power punchers have to set their feet....Tyson wouldn't have been able to get those feet set vs Ali, I'm sorry man but Tyson was human even in 1988.
Interesting watch for you guys out there just to add to the discussion
At 4:09 of the video "Iron" Mike Tyson gives his honest take on the hypothetical Ali vs Tyson matchup. Maybe Mike is just paying respects, but either way he has very good things to say about Ali and even gets a little choked up talking about how great Ali was in the ring.
So there you have it straight from the horse's mouth "I can't beat that man, hell fuckin no, no fuckin way"
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