If Mike Tyson was coming into his prime at the start of the 1970s

[newbridgeboxing]

Who would he defeat and how far would he go?

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[$.02]

A prime Tyson easily beats Larry Holmes. I think this is why you made the thread.

Cus (Tysons trainer) always knew that Mike would beat Holmes, so Tyson always had that in his head. Even when Larry was in his prime, Cus would tell Mike he can beat Holmes and this was when Mike was like 16-17. I think Mike Beats most of those guys in that era, would be interesting to see him fight Shavers though!

[Bill Butcher]

Its very possible that Tyson could have cleaned up, I think he beats the Norton & Quarry`s.

Frazier took a few rds to get warmed up, Mike might have been able to get him out of there quickly.

Ali couldnt move as much as in the 60s, this would be a war, either man could win here.

Foreman stylewise MIGHT have been an achilles heal for Mike - Im going mainly on the Frazier fight - or Mike might have punished George inside, too tough to call in this one too.

[sauhund II]

Its very possible that Tyson could have cleaned up, I think he beats the Norton & Quarry`s.

Frazier took a few rds to get warmed up, Mike might have been able to get him out of there quickly.

Ali couldnt move as much as in the 60s, this would be a war, either man could win here.

Foreman stylewise MIGHT have been an achilles heal for Mike - Im going mainly on the Frazier fight - or Mike might have punished George inside, too tough to call in this one too.
Thats how I see it too except he would beat Norton, Frazier, Quarry , Cooney or Shavers with relative ease.

[heehoo]

He'd have a chance at beating everybody except Foreman, who would absolutely DESTROY him.

[The Predator]

Tyson in the 70´s. I think he would beat Quarry easy, Bonavena easy, he would not beat Ali. i don´t think he would beat Frazier, but i´m unsure here, this is a hard one to tell.
Norton and Shavers can´t beat iron Mike, that´s for sure.I think he would beat george foreman, cause he was very fast and had killerpower in his hands. Foreman is a little to slow to get away from those punches.
All the best
The predator

[True Writer]

Tyson cleans up here. His hand speed, power and head movement neverseen before in one package.

[MrSmall]

Why would foreman beat Tyson?

[ron u.k.]

tyson has tended to be underrated as time has gone on,because of his downslide etc.but there's no doubt in his prime he's a big,big,problem for anyone.i think he beats all of the contenders your quarry's,bonavena's etc. although he gives ali problems with his handspeed he didn't have the inside game of frazier and i think ali picks him off with the jab and simply ties mike up on the inside,something he found very difficult to do with an inside great like frazier.i'd expect ali to gain a hard fought ud.the frazier fight would be fascinating,contrary to what some think tyson wasn't a particularily good inside fighter and if it was fought in there i'd go for frazier.however if tyson could get enough of those devastating mid range combinations off on joe when he's on the way in,then he could conceivably stop frazier,remember another bull like guy in bonavena had joe down twice in their fight,and he wasn't as devastating as tyson.i'd just go for tyson here.a foreman fight at first glance looks like a stylistic nightmare for tyson a big power punching immovable object with a granite chin.the thing tyson has here however is handspeed,if tyson could manage to slip that jab and once again get those devastating combo's off, then it could be very interesting,foreman was repeatedly caught by 3 and 4 punch combo's by ali in the thrilla,tyson's if he could manage this would obviously be landed with considerably more power.the thing tyson would find difficult here though would be foreman's mentallity,unlike the big guys tyson faced most who were intimidated and bent on survival,foreman would be pushing mike back and would be the intimidator,tyson going back isn't a good fighter.i think i'd take big george to achieve this and stop mike after 8 rounds.

[punchy]

The big question is how would he go against an aging Ali, Ali may not have the power to keep him off and Tyson may have the speed to really get to Ali's chin, Ali' chin was great but he was never hit with the sort of quick power barrage Tyson could throw.

[ron u.k.]

The big question is how would he go against an aging Ali, Ali may not have the power to keep him off and Tyson may have the speed to really get to Ali's chin, Ali' chin was great but he was never hit with the sort of quick power barrage Tyson could throw.well i'm a huge ali fan,and i back him against them all,however i agree he never fought anyone with the handspeed combined with the power that tyson could throw.the nearest for hand speed was patterson and actually in their 2nd fight floyd fought well and did quite often catch ali with good combinations.tyson for power and strength is a step up from patterson.there's no doubt it would have been a tough one for ali,i just think his all round ring smarts would have nullified tyson and saw him through.he always found a way.

[Jbuz]

A prime Tyson easily beats Larry Holmes. I think this is why you made the thread.

Cus (Tysons trainer) always knew that Mike would beat Holmes, so Tyson always had that in his head. Even when Larry was in his prime, Cus would tell Mike he can beat Holmes and this was when Mike was like 16-17. I think Mike Beats most of those guys in that era, would be interesting to see him fight Shavers though!

Tyson would decapitate Shavers, in the first round.

[Holmes' Jab]

He'd beat Frazier, Foreman, Norton and most others. Loses to Ali.

[Ted Stickles]

His toughest fights and possible losses would come from Foreman and Ali.....I think Frazier would have been a war but only 4 to 5 rounds,Joe coming straight to Tyson would have been his down fall.

[Bokaj]

When it comes to Foreman, I like old George's chances better against Tyson in a way than I do young George's. While young Foreman was faster and probably a bit more powerful old Foreman had better heart and defence, and was craftier.

Young Foreman would go all out early and it would be a war, but I think the older version would be smarter. He would concentrate more on using his jab (but not too much, lest he'd be countered), bully Tyson around, force him backwards, and let him waste his best punches on Foreman's cross-armed defence.

In that way he could tire and frustrate Tyson without wasting too much energy himself, and start to throw the real big artillery when Tyson starts to slow down a bit, as he used to do after a couple of rounds. And when Foreman's uppercut starts to connect...

[Muchmoore]

When it comes to Foreman, I like old George's chances better against Tyson in a way than I do young George's. While young Foreman was faster and probably a bit more powerful old Foreman had better heart and defence, and was craftier.

Young Foreman would go all out early and it would be a war, but I think the older version would be smarter. He would concentrate more on using his jab (but not too much, lest he'd be countered), bully Tyson around, force him backwards, and let him waste his best punches on Foreman's cross-armed defence.

In that way he could tire and frustrate Tyson without wasting too much energy himself, and start to throw the real big artillery when Tyson starts to slow down a bit, as he used to do after a couple of rounds. And when Foreman's uppercut starts to connect...

What older Foreman are you talking about? If it's late 70s Foreman who was beaten up by Jimmy Young, no chance. 90s Foreman has even less of a chance, he was outboxed by Tommy Morrison of all people. 90s Foreman is the most over rated fighter in the HW division, all because of one right hand he landed on Michael Moorer :lol:

[$.02]

He'd have a chance at beating everybody except Foreman, who would absolutely DESTROY him.


Destroy him?

I say 50/50. I dont see anybody DESTROYING a prime Mike Tyson. Do not see it.:bart

[$.02]

What older Foreman are you talking about? If it's late 70s Foreman who was beaten up by Jimmy Young, no chance. 90s Foreman has even less of a chance, he was outboxed by Tommy Morrison of all people. 90s Foreman is the most over rated fighter in the HW division, all because of one right hand he landed on Michael Moorer :lol:

We have Michael Moorer and Evander Holyfield to thank For that:deal.

[$.02]

tyson has tended to be underrated as time has gone on,because of his downslide etc.but there's no doubt in his prime he's a big,big,problem for anyone.i think he beats all of the contenders your quarry's,bonavena's etc. although he gives ali problems with his handspeed he didn't have the inside game of frazier and i think ali picks him off with the jab and simply ties mike up on the inside,something he found very difficult to do with an inside great like frazier.i'd expect ali to gain a hard fought ud.the frazier fight would be fascinating,contrary to what some think tyson wasn't a particularily good inside fighter and if it was fought in there i'd go for frazier.however if tyson could get enough of those devastating mid range combinations off on joe when he's on the way in,then he could conceivably stop frazier,remember another bull like guy in bonavena had joe down twice in their fight,and he wasn't as devastating as tyson.i'd just go for tyson here.a foreman fight at first glance looks like a stylistic nightmare for tyson a big power punching immovable object with a granite chin.the thing tyson has here however is handspeed,if tyson could manage to slip that jab and once again get those devastating combo's off, then it could be very interesting,foreman was repeatedly caught by 3 and 4 punch combo's by ali in the thrilla,tyson's if he could manage this would obviously be landed with considerably more power.the thing tyson would find difficult here though would be foreman's mentallity,unlike the big guys tyson faced most who were intimidated and bent on survival,foreman would be pushing mike back and would be the intimidator,tyson going back isn't a good fighter.i think i'd take big george to achieve this and stop mike after 8 rounds.

Such a great post with great information, but how did you manage to make it seem so boring:tired?

[abraq]

Such a great post with great information, but how did you manage to make it seem so boring:tired?

Answer: Neither paragraphs, nor capitals.

But I agree with you. Excellent info as well as an accurate analysis.:good

[Bokaj]

What older Foreman are you talking about? If it's late 70s Foreman who was beaten up by Jimmy Young, no chance. 90s Foreman has even less of a chance, he was outboxed by Tommy Morrison of all people. 90s Foreman is the most over rated fighter in the HW division, all because of one right hand he landed on Michael Moorer :lol:

Old Foreman is of course the Foreman after the comeback. Yes, he was not too hard to outbox being as slow as he was. But Tyson would come straight at him, he wouldn't move around like Morrison and Holyfield did. It's a style thing.

I think that Tyson was ideally suited for old Foreman. That Tyson wanted no part of him makes one suspect he felt the same way. If Big George boxes smart, I think he takes this one.

[ron u.k.]

Answer: Neither paragraphs, nor capitals.

But I agree with you. Excellent info as well as an accurate analysis.:good:lol: well i suppose i'll take you two guys posts as a compliment! no capitals! the reason being i'm such a lazy old so and so i can't be bothered to switch to the caps lock. also i'm the perennial one fingered dinosaur keyboard operator.you're right,no paragraphs either,however there are full stops and commas! you realise both you guys have now made me a quivering self concious wreck when i now post on here to such an extent,that i'm now going to change my ways and use the aforementioned capitals and paragraphs.:good

[AnthonyJ74]

Old Foreman is of course the Foreman after the comeback. Yes, he was not too hard to outbox being as slow as he was. But Tyson would come straight at him, he wouldn't move around like Morrison and Holyfield did. It's a style thing.

I think that Tyson was ideally suited for old Foreman. That Tyson wanted no part of him makes one suspect he felt the same way. If Big George boxes smart, I think he takes this one.

I just can't don't see it. George was way too slow and plodding to beat a fast, mobile, defensive fighter like Tyson. Foreman's one punch at a time thing wouldn't trouble Tyson much....The only way I could see a comeback George Foreman ever beating Tyson would be if Foreman were to fight the Tyson that fought Kevin McBride - then Foreman would probably win!

[sauhund II]

Old Foreman is of course the Foreman after the comeback. Yes, he was not too hard to outbox being as slow as he was. But Tyson would come straight at him, he wouldn't move around like Morrison and Holyfield did. It's a style thing.

I think that Tyson was ideally suited for old Foreman. That Tyson wanted no part of him makes one suspect he felt the same way. If Big George boxes smart, I think he takes this one.
You don't make much sense. Tyson fought Ruddock, a much more accomplished and dangerous fighter at that time while Foreman walzed with his usual tomatoe cans. One more time, fighting Razor X2 but being "afraid" of Foreman ? LOL.

Foreman went life and death with Stewart/Saverese and was all swollen up. We all know how Tyson , even when he was washed up, handled those gatekeepers. Similar face in the Holy fight. Imagine if the relative light hitting Holyfield teed off 10-15 punch combos on good ol' George with no return with that shitty crab defense what Tyson's significant more powerful salvos would do............the old man is going down.

Young or old Foreman was not particular hard to hit. There is a reason Ali called him the Mummy. The size and strengh advantage he enjoyed in his first career vanished with his comeback and he struggled every time he stepped up.

On a sidenote, Foreman got very lucky when the commission closed both eyes with his Aarum fixing involvement.

BTW, when did Foreman ever box smart ? Are you actually believing that Foreman set up Moorer for his lucky punch ? LOL.

[godking]

tyson clears the 70s the only fighters i would bet money on beating him are ALI and Foreman.

Tyson vs 70s ali and Foreman is 50-50 at least

[godking]

Old Foreman is of course the Foreman after the comeback. Yes, he was not too hard to outbox being as slow as he was. But Tyson would come straight at him, he wouldn't move around like Morrison and Holyfield did. It's a style thing.

I think that Tyson was ideally suited for old Foreman. That Tyson wanted no part of him makes one suspect he felt the same way. If Big George boxes smart, I think he takes this one.Old Foreman has not the hand speed reflexes or defense to handle prime Tyson.

[DudeGuyMan]

Honestly, I think Tyson's mentality is his Achilles Heel. Young George would win the fight in the staredown, and Ali would just mindfuck him to the point of insanity. Everyone else Tyson probably beats.

[Bokaj]

I just can't don't see it. George was way too slow and plodding to beat a fast, mobile, defensive fighter like Tyson. Foreman's one punch at a time thing wouldn't trouble Tyson much....The only way I could see a comeback George Foreman ever beating Tyson would be if Foreman were to fight the Tyson that fought Kevin McBride - then Foreman would probably win!

Tyson of course have a big advantage in speed, but he had to be set to get his combinations off. Foreman would constantly bully him off balance and catch many of his punches with his cross-armed defence and ride through the others with his outstanding chin and determination.

Since his punches were so slow he'd be better off holding back in the early rounds and become more busy when Tyson slows down.

I think he could pull this off. The big question in my mind is how much damage Tyson would do with his body punches.

[godking]

i would take Frazier and Quarry to beat Tyson, both had great ability to take a punch especially Quarry who i think would most likely have KOd Tyson, Quarry was always best against big punchers, he KOd Shavers when Earnie was at his peak, Quarry also handed Ron Lyle his 1st career defeat, he beat Mac Foster who was 24-0(24) Jerry Quarry was far to tough for Mike Tyson as was a prime Smokin Joe Frazier who i would take to bomb-out Tyson within 3rds... Tyson would have little trouble in beating Shavers or CooneyBeing able to Tysons punch does'nt mean that you beat him. Quarry game was countering big SLOW guys something Tyson is not.

The myth that if can stand up to Tyson you will beat him is just that a MYTH.

[BUDW]

Ali would slice and dice Tyson,Frazier would give him a beat down,Foreman would destroy the made to order Tyson in short order,Quarry and Tyson would be a good fight with Tyson winning by late stoppage,Norton would be koed unless he could box Tyson and stay away for the first 4-5 rds if he gets past 5 rds he has a chance to win a decision,Bonavena beats Tyson in a war with Tyson winning the first 5-6 rds the next 3 rds would be close with Oscar comming on wearing Tyson down Oscar by SD,Tyson beats a game Chavalo in a UD,Holmes out boxes Tyson wins ud maybe a late stoppage.

[Bokaj]

Being able to Tysons punch does'nt mean that you beat him. Quarry game was countering big SLOW guys something Tyson is not.

The myth that if can stand up to Tyson you will beat him is just that a MYTH.

I agree. No way in hell is Quarry beating a prime Tyson. He was too much of a warrior to even have a chance to last the distance.

[Bokaj]

Quarry could punch and he could box, i would take him to beat Tyson fairly easily... if Douglas and Holyfield can beat Tyson then Quarry definately would.. ho watch some Quarry fights other than his fights with Ali & Frazier

And if Ken Norton and Jimmy Ellis could beat Quarry, and an old Patterson could run him close, then... This doesn't really lead anywhere, does it?

Quarry couldn't outbox Tyson from distance like Douglas did, he didn't have the size or the jab to do that. And he was also to small to bullly Tyson around like Holyfield did. Tyson wouldn't have too hard a time to land on Quarry, and Quarry didn't have the power to seriously discourage Tyson.

[KCD]

Tyson would have gone straight to the top imo.

[godking]

Ali would slice and dice Tyson,Frazier would give him a beat down,Foreman would destroy the made to order Tyson in short order,Quarry and Tyson would be a good fight with Tyson winning by late stoppage,Norton would be koed unless he could box Tyson and stay away for the first 4-5 rds if he gets past 5 rds he has a chance to win a decision,Bonavena beats Tyson in a war with Tyson winning the first 5-6 rds the next 3 rds would be close with Oscar comming on wearing Tyson down Oscar by SD,Tyson beats a game Chavalo in a UD,Holmes out boxes Tyson wins ud maybe a late stoppage.The best Bonavena could hope for is a Ruddock like beating.

[janitor]

Ali, Frazier, and Foreman would be issues.

The rest of that era he would go through as casualy as he went through the fighters of his own era on the way to the title.

[OBCboxer]

I believe he beats everybody with ease except for Ali, Frazier and Foreman. I can see him losing to all three of these fighters and vice-versa.

[slicksouthpaw16]

A prime Tyson easily beats Larry Holmes. I think this is why you made the thread.

Cus (Tysons trainer) always knew that Mike would beat Holmes, so Tyson always had that in his head. Even when Larry was in his prime, Cus would tell Mike he can beat Holmes and this was when Mike was like 16-17. I think Mike Beats most of those guys in that era, would be interesting to see him fight Shavers though!
Easily? I don't think he would have beaten Holmes at all, and certainly not easily. Just look at everyone he fought that showed foot speed and an educated jab( Tills, DOUGLAS, Biggs, Tucker) and Holmes even on his worst day was miles better than all of them. You have to have heart to survive with Holmes, because hes not being blown out early and when you are a front runner like Tyson, that might not be good going down the stretch.

[BUDW]

The best Bonavena could hope for is a Ruddock like beating.


Tyson couldnt beat a fighter like Oscar who wouldnt back down be afraid ect,look at Tyson's fights he gets his ass kicked every time a good fighter didnt back up and Oscar didnt back up he also had a granite chin.Tyson would end up frustrated and either bite Oscar or quit.

[godking]

Tyson couldnt beat a fighter like Oscar who wouldnt back down be afraid ect,look at Tyson's fights he gets his ass kicked every time a good fighter didnt back up and Oscar didnt back up he also had a granite chin.Tyson would end up frustrated and either bite Oscar or quit.
Bullshit myth Contrary to waht you might believe .

Not being afraid of Tyson does not mean you beat him.

Tyson beat a bigger better version of Bonavena in Ruddock twice.

Being tough and having a granite chin means you get a beating against Tyson if you dont have the style or skills to beat him.

[godking]

Easily? I don't think he would have beaten Holmes at all, and certainly not easily. Just look at everyone he fought that showed foot speed and an educated jab( Tills, DOUGLAS, Biggs, Tucker) and Holmes even on his worst day was miles better than all of them. You have to have heart to survive with Holmes, because hes not being blown out early and when you are a front runner like Tyson, that might not be good going down the stretch.Biggs received a 7 round beating . Tillis did ok against a 19 year old Tyson still lost decivelly Tucker did well in the first round received a beating as the fight wore on was being outjabbed by the smaller Tyson from round 7 on Douglas beat Tyson by boxing and clincing not so much footwork.

[mr. magoo]

A peak Tyson around 1970, beats Joe Frazier, Jimmy Ellis, Jerry Quarry, and possibly even a returning Muhammad Ali fresh out of exhile. The only other fighter outside of a fully prepared Ali that I would pick to beat Tyson during the 70's is George Foreman. But, Foreman did not come into the picture until maybe 1973, therfore a peaking Tyson could have conceivably reigned for about 3 years during that period.

[mr. magoo]

This thread seems to have scewed into a side conversation about what a prime Holmes might have done against Tyson. I have all the respect in the world for Holmes and have often defended him in numerous boxing discussions, but the more I think about it, the less apt I am to picking him against Mike Tyson. Sure, there are those who will use the James Douglas fight to draw a comparison in every conversation about Tyson, including how well he'd do as an insurance salesman. But, I really don't think the Douglas match represents the very best of Tyson, and frankly if we're going to pull that shit, then we certainly have a lot more of Holmes' fights to choose from in terms of lackluster performances. From 1978-1983, Holmes was nearly beaten on at least 5 occasions that I can think of, and most of those guys were nobodies at the time. On the evenings that Larry struggled with Mike Weaver, Earnie Shavers, Tim Witherspoon and Renaldo Snipes, Tyson could have ( and likely would have ), capitalized when Holmes was in trouble and beaten him.

[Bokaj]

This thread seems to have scewed into a side conversation about what a prime Holmes might have done against Tyson. I have all the respect in the world for Holmes and have often defended him in numerous boxing discussions, but the more I think about it, the less apt I am to picking him against Mike Tyson. Sure, there are those who will use the James Douglas fight to draw a comparison in every conversation about Tyson, including how well he'd do as an insurance salesman. But, I really don't think the Douglas match represents the very best of Tyson, and frankly if we're going to pull that shit, then we certainly have a lot more of Holmes' fights to choose from in terms of lackluster performances. From 1978-1983, Holmes was nearly beaten on at least 5 occasions that I can think of, and most of those guys were nobodies at the time. On the evenings that Larry struggled with Mike Weaver, Earnie Shavers, Tim Witherspoon and Renaldo Snipes, Tyson could have ( and likely would have ), capitalized when Holmes was in trouble and beaten him.

You do have point, but if one looks at Tyson's fights before Douglas it's easy to see that intelligent movement and, especially, a good jab was the style that Tyson had the most difficulties with.

Tillis, Thomas and Tucker were all comfortably beaten by Tyson in the end, but they were nevertheless the ones who gave him the most trouble before Douglas. In that light Douglas win doesn't seem to be such a bizarre fluke.

And a prime Holmes was superior to all of them in just about every aspect, not least when it came to jab and movement.

[mr. magoo]

You do have point, but if one looks at Tyson's fights before Douglas it's easy to see that intelligent movement and, especially, a good jab was the style that Tyson had the most difficulties with.

Tillis, Thomas and Tucker were all comfortably beaten by Tyson in the end, but they were nevertheless the ones who gave him the most trouble before Douglas. In that light Douglas win doesn't seem to be such a bizarre fluke.

And a prime Holmes was superior to all of them in just about every aspect, not least when it came to jab and movement.


I suppose a reasonable argument can be made from both sides. Tyson definately had trouble with taller, more mobile boxers, who could use the ring and tie him up on the way in, but Holmes was floored, staggered and troubled by men who had a decent power in the form of a servicable right hand. Tucker, Douglas, Tillis,etc all gave Tyson problems and none were quite on the level of Larry Holmes. However, Weaver, Snipes, Norton and Shavers all gave Tyson hell, and I wouldn't put those men in Tyson's league either.

[Bokaj]

I suppose a reasonable argument can be made from both sides. Tyson definately had trouble with taller, more mobile boxers, who could use the ring and tie him up on the way in, but Holmes was floored, staggered and troubled by men who had a decent power in the form of a servicable right hand. Tucker, Douglas, Tillis,etc all gave Tyson problems and none were quite on the level of Larry Holmes. However, Weaver, Snipes, Norton and Shavers all gave Tyson hell, and I wouldn't put those men in Tyson's league either.

All true.

[fists of fury]

He'd be a major player for sure.

First off, I cannot see him beating Ali. Ali was larger than life back then and I think his ability to rise to the occasion and inhuman toughness of both mind and body would be Mike's achilles heel. Yes he was slower than in his 60's heyday and yes I can see Tyson getting through with some serious punches, but Ali would absorb them and come on strong later in the fight with quick and accurate punches to take control.
I think they'd fight twice, Ali winning both.
The first by a score of about 9-6 or 10-5 in rounds, and the second with Ali scoring a TKO in the 11th or so. Both would be excellent fights with massive fanfare.

Foreman would be a great fight, with Mike's superlative defence and vastly quicker hands making the difference. Tyson stops George in a wildly exciting fight, probably in the 7th round or so. Kind of like Ruddock 1 in many respects.

Frazier I don't think fares all that well. His style would pose certain problems for Tyson, but once Tyson finds his range I think it's going to be a rather one-sided fight. I don't think Frazier has neither the power nor chin to take on Tyson with that type of style.

Of the big guns, Norton would be the easiest fight for Tyson. We pretty much all agree that Norton did seem to stiffen up in front of punchers and he'd be made to order for Tyson, stylistically. An early night for Tyson here.

Other leading contenders like Quarry (to brave for his own good) Shavers (one-dimensional) Bonavena (tough, but too raw) and Lyle may pose a few problems, but ulitmately will none will be good enough to beat Tyson.

[Bokaj]

He'd be a major player for sure.

First off, I cannot see him beating Ali. Ali was larger than life back then and I think his ability to rise to the occasion and inhuman toughness of both mind and body would be Mike's achilles heel. Yes he was slower than in his 60's heyday and yes I can see Tyson getting through with some serious punches, but Ali would absorb them and come on strong later in the fight with quick and accurate punches to take control.
I think they'd fight twice, Ali winning both.
The first by a score of about 9-6 or 10-5 in rounds, and the second with Ali scoring a TKO in the 11th or so. Both would be excellent fights with massive fanfare.

Foreman would be a great fight, with Mike's superlative defence and vastly quicker hands making the difference. Tyson stops George in a wildly exciting fight, probably in the 7th round or so. Kind of like Ruddock 1 in many respects.

Frazier I don't think fares all that well. His style would pose certain problems for Tyson, but once Tyson finds his range I think it's going to be a rather one-sided fight. I don't think Frazier has neither the power nor chin to take on Tyson with that type of style.

Of the big guns, Norton would be the easiest fight for Tyson. We pretty much all agree that Norton did seem to stiffen up in front of punchers and he'd be made to order for Tyson, stylistically. An early night for Tyson here.

Other leading contenders like Quarry (to brave for his own good) Shavers (one-dimensional) Bonavena (tough, but too raw) and Lyle may pose a few problems, but ulitmately will none will be good enough to beat Tyson.

It would be interesting to see Tyson against Young in the late 70's. Tyson is the favourite, of course, but Young might be a live underdog.

[ripcity]

He would have done very well. If Ali fought him by 1972 he might have beaten Tyson in his prime beyond that I'd take a prime Tyson over Ali 1973 and on. He'd over power Frazier. Foreman could catch him coming in but I think he'd be to fast. I also dobut that Cus D'Mattio would have placed in Tyson the idea that he could not beat Foreman if that story is true.

[Dempsey1238]

I give Tyson a few years at the top. Like in real life, he will crash, perhaps around 74.

[Longhhorn71]

Cus D'mato doubted Tyson could beat Foreman. My thought is: "he who goes backwards loses."

Ali might turn Tyson into a "head case" by fight-time. Ali would come up with some
demeaning nickname for Tyson and Tyson fits the bill for a lot of names.

[mr. magoo]

Tyson fits the bill for a lot of names.


Asshole being one of them.....

[anon1]

tyson loses to any version of ali before 1976 and foreman.

after tyson gets destroyed by these two, there's a chance he won't be the same fighter again. not the same confidence or focus or style. can't say for sure. but my point is that how tyson fares against the others like frazier depends on how tyson deals with his losses to ali & foreman.

ali would absolutely toy with tyson. sure he'd get tagged several times but ali could take a punch. ali's timing, handspeed, reach, and jab would be too much for tyson. ali would keep tying him up.

i definitely pick a young foreman to beat tyson. off topic but several of you talked about it so we'll do it: yes, tyson was afraid of old foreman. not afraid in the ordinary sense. this isn't to say tyson would lose to old foreman but remember that to tyson foreman was an icon. tyson & cus used to watch foreman fight. can't ignore that. much like the way foreman feared frazier in the fight fight despite literally looking down at joe. joe was an icon to foreman, a man that had won fotc.

you guys are understimating the speed, combinations, and insane power of even an "old" foreman. in fact, truth be told, 41 isn't that old for foreman's style & strengths especially when he took rest for 10 years. people overlook that aspect. i still think young tyson had good reflexes to dodge and counter old george. tyson's handspeed would stagger foreman. just my opinion.

yes, tyson gives bonavena a beating in competitive hard fougth battle. tyson wins by ud no question. tyson was a much more proven fighter than bonavena.

[anon1]

Asshole being one of them.....

frankly, i feel insincere expecting boxers to be priests. we cheer them on to smash people's faces and then expect them to hug and kiss after 45 minutes of brutality? in the ideal world that may be swell and that's what we want to see but in the real, human world, no matter how much anyone tries to fool himself, it isn't so. yes tyson could be an asshole and i'm glad. it's honest. we cheered him to be. boxing ain't pretty. no way is this to justify tyson's behavior but it is the ugly truth.

[radianttwilight]

Hmm. I would definitely favor Tyson over the 1970s Ali.

He would batter Frazier early and stop him. It'd be worse than Foreman in 1973, IMO.

Foreman-Tyson would be a very interesting fight but I think Tyson's superior defense would get him out of the early rounds and his pinpoint combos would finish Foreman inside of 6.

Quarry, Bonavena, Lyle, Chuvalo etc. are just a class below Tyson and none of them pose any major stylistic problems for him.

Shavers MIGHT floor Tyson early (big question mark) but Tyson will stop him inside of 2. Throwing one big bomb at a time does not beat Tyson, and neither does a glass jaw and poor defense.

Tyson-Young in the late 1970s, if Tyson has been on top for a few years and started to decline, would be a very fun fight to watch.

1970s Patterson is stopped early. All wrong for the Rabbit.

Norton would be shattered within 2. Probably in the first round. All wrong for Ken.

His toughest fights would be Ali and then Foreman. I would make a peak Tyson a heavy favorite over any of the others.

However, the odds are stacked against him running the deck, especially if he makes it into the late 1970s.

I do think Tyson would lose to Holmes by the time he came onto the scene, but only because Tyson would be fairly old by then. If he won the title in 1970 or 1971, for example, he would be pushing 30 by the time he fought Holmes. I think Tyson has Holmes' number prime for prime but an aging Tyson would lose to a prime Holmes more often than not.