By Shaun Campbell: In the second edition of Battle of the Legends, we take a look at a fight that has been talked about for years. Arguably the two greatest heavyweight champions of all time. Muhammad “the greatest” Ali vs “Iron” Mike Tyson. Setting – MGM Grand, the world awaits to see the battle of the legends. One of the fastest heavyweights of all time, versus one of the hardest hitting heavyweights of all time.
There isn’t a lot you can that’s new about either Ali or Tyson, everything is know. The advantages for Ali would be in natural size, height, weight, speed, and reach. For Tyson, who himself was a very quick heavyweight, would be punching power and aggressiveness. Although it seems like Ali would have the edge, the fight would be a lot closer than the tale of the tape suggests. For example, we know what Joe Frazier did to Ali during their famous trilogy. Little guys did cause Muhammad some problems. Mike had a similar style to Frazier. The bobbing and weaving, the mighty left hooks to body and head, and the sheer determination to keep powering forward. Tyson’s ability to take a shot is never in question. The strong neck aloud him to take punishment and keep pressing his opponents. One part of Mike’s game that was hugely underrated was his jab. Usually shorter fighters don’t concentrate on jabbing, but it was common to see Tyson use his jab to either set up a left hook to the body, or to the head.
For Tyson to win this fight he would have to train hard and be prepared to brawl and slug it out for 12 rounds, as the “Louisville lip” had one of the greatest chins in history. The likely way it would play out is Tyson commanding the centre of the ring, pushing Ali back to the ropes. It is essential that Muhammad doesn’t get into a rythem. So instead of dancing around Tyson, Mike would have to get in and glue himself to Ali and push him onto the ropes. Then pound away to the body to try and knock the wind out of the faster man, and slow him down. If he accomplishes this, then lands enough powerful hooks and uppercuts, then there’s every chance Tyson could win and maybe even stop Ali. And especial as Tyson had a strong chin and Ali wasn’t the most devastating knockout artist, then it’s likely Mike would have the mentality of “I’ll take two to land one”.
As said before, Muhammad Ali had many advantages over the smaller man. The dazzling foot movement, the lightening quick hand speed, and superior reach would be the main factors that would puzzle the shorter opponent. Also his elusiveness would be important. If Ali can land flurries of shots, then pull away and dance out of danger, as he did against Joe Frazier, then I can’t see Tyson getting to him. Also, another hard hitting heavyweight, thought to be the strongest boxer on the planet at this time couldn’t knock Ali down, George Foreman. The likelihood of him knocking Tyson out are arguably not great. But Ali was always able to last the 15 rounds, so completing 12 at a hard pace would be no problem. Could Tyson be stopped with clean, fast punches? Yes of course, lets not forget this is arguable the best technically fighter of any generation.
Final bell ring, both men given there all. Lots of close rounds where Tyson hurt Ali, but Ali landed more (yet less impressive looking) shots. Handed over the the MC Michael Buffer. The winner by decision…and STILL the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali. That’s the way I see it. Ali winning by decision. However, in the early rounds Tyson would be very dangerous. Could Tyson win by knockout? Yes. But in my opinion, Ali wasn’t known as the greatest of all time for no reason. But with the ferocious hooks Iron Mike Tyson still remains the baddest man on the planet. Either man could win this fight, but I believe Ali would simply be too quick and too elusive.
Next edition – Sugar Ray Leonard vs Floyd Mayweather Jr
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