Foreman hit harder than Tyson so there is no reason to believe that Ali's arms would break from Tyson's power when they did not when Foreman (a bigger and stronger harder hitter than Tyson) hit him repeatedly in the arms for that many rounds. Keep in mind, Ali also fought and beat Shavers who is considered the hardest hitter in boxing history even tougher than Foreman. Ali was well past his prime when he fought Shavers and despite taking quite a few clean shots on the jaw Ali did not even get dropped. Ali dealt with power puncher probably better than or equal to the very best. Ali was never knocked out. So I don't think Ali's arms breaking makes any sense at all.
Tyson could definitely drop Ali and everyone on the planet can get KOed. The thing is that no one managed to do it to Ali; even guys who hit harder than Tyson. Tyson's real advantage comes in the combination of his power WITH speed and combinations. Foreman did not throw combos often and Shavers did not either. Neither of them threw punches as fast as Tyson. But Ali also fought fast fighters in Floyd Patterson (Cus' previously trained champ with the same style as Tyson) and schooled him. With Tyson, Ali would be fighting someone similar to Joe Frazier but a bit faster and a better overall arsenal of punches; although Frazier's left hook was probably as good or better than any one punch Tyson threw. Ali lost the first fight to Frazier when Ali had just left his prime but won two rematches and the 1st fight was extremely close and Frazier needed to be hospitalized afterwards.
With Ali, Tyson would face obvious problems. Ali was the fastest heavyweight in boxing history. Tyson could throw combos as fast as Ali could but that is only HAND speed. Footspeed, head movement, and upper body movement also factor into speed and Ali was undoubtedly the fastest heavyweight in history if take into account OVERALL speed. Ali also had KO power but it was nothing on the level of Tyson or Foreman. But, no one ever knocked Foreman out except for Ali which says something... Ali could hit hard when he wanted to but often didn't sit down on his punches to be able to quickly retreat out of harms way. Ali had a legendary chin and recovery abilities. The few times he was dropped he got back up and even managed to regain control of the fight. He had amazing cardio. He had an incredibly strategic mind, he had enormous experience, and tremendous heart equal to any of the bravest fighters in history.
Long story short? Both men would be facing someone who presented them with more problems than either would have faced in their whole careers. Ali would bring speed, endurance, recovery, intelligence, a chin that Tyson would have never seen all in one fighter. Tyson would be bringing power and speed and combinations together in one fighter that Ali had never seen. To me it shakes down pretty clear; the 5 rounds Tyson would have a clear advantage but if he did not KO Ali there is little doubt that Ali would KO or substantially outpoint Tyson if it wen the distance. Ali was too good in long drawn out dogfights and Tyson was to mediocre at them to assume Tyson could pull off a long distance match. Ali would however have to avoid Tyson at all costs for the first 5 rounds where Tyson was almost always dominant.
I really think the deciding factor would be mental strength. Ali never quit. Never once. Ali never gassed except when he was well past his prime, had parkinsons, against Spinks, and he still went the distance and stomped on Spinks in the rematch. He still never quit. Never let up. Ali would bring hatred and frustration out of virtually every fighter he ever fought. He'd get into their heads and play with their emotions. He was a psychologist who would make his opponents try TOO hard, get upset, get angry, leave themselves open, lunge in with punches, and he'd interrupt their rhythms. Tyson proved on several occasions he was susceptible to all of those things at one point or another. This movie presented well the psychological problems Tyson always dealt with. Ali would know that full well and would use it to make Tyson beat himself. Look at it this way... if Douglas could do it (btw Douglas fought very similar to Ali in their fight in terms of style) then you bet your hairy hobbit feet Ali would do it also. If Douglas could get up and take control after taking a clean uppercut from Tyson... you bet for sure Ali would get up and take control.
It would be a really tough and amazing fight for both guys, but at the end of the day I go with Ali 7 out of 10 fights.
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