I am starting a new series on a totally new subject. This Blog series is entitled “Mythical Matchups”, and will be my commentary and opinion on what would have happened if fighters from different eras met in the ring. Boxing history is replete with great champions in all different weight classes, and I’m going to share my opinion on fights that would have been interesting if they actually took place.
My first ‘Mythical Matchup’, is between the self proclaimed ‘Greatest of all Time’, Muhammad Ali, and ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. For my blog, I am going to take each of the two boxers I choose to match in their prime, and write about what I believe would have happened if they actually fought.
To me, Muhammad Ali was in his prime before he was stripped of his title in 1967 for refusing induction into the United States Army. He was only 25 years old in April of 1967 when that happened, and at the peak of his skills as a fighter. He had defeated all challengers, and his knockout of Cleveland Williams on November 14, 1966 may have been the finest performance of his professional career.
In my opinion, Mike Tyson was at his best in 1988, before he left the team that backed his whole professional career, and signed with Don King. His one round knockout of Michael Spinks on June 27, 1988 to me was the apex of his career.
To me, the best location for all of my “Mythical Matchups” will be Las Vegas, with bi-partisan judges, and Mills Lane as the referee (The best referee ever) as the third man in the ring. Caesar’s Palace outdoor arena is the venue as well, which has hosted the greatest fights of the modern era. With that said, here is my take.
As much as people want to believe the “Iron Mike” myth, it didn’t exist. He had his reign of terror from November of 1986 until February of 1990, when Buster Douglas knocked him out. To me, it exposed him for what he was, a bully who quit if you punched him back.
Muhammad Ali in his prime, was a far superior fighter and athlete. I think he would have boxed circles around a prime Mike Tyson, and won a unanimous decision. He also possessed one of the greatest chins in boxing history, and with his legs and boxing ability would have kept Tyson at bay and frustrated him. Tyson could punch, but as Evander Holyfield proved, had no answer if you could take his best shots and remain standing.
Ali was also a solid and consistent puncher with a tremendous left jab. I’m not talking about the 32 year old Ali that fought George Foreman, but rather the beautiful boxer from the mid 1960’s. To me the answer is clear as to who would have won if Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson fought. Ali by unanimous decision.
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