Thank You Adam Weitsman

[donniesyracuse]

Foreman, Frazier, Norton, and Holmes all were better in their prime.

In that short (maybe two year) period of time when he unified the title and was still managed by Kevin Rooney, I don’t think anyone could have beaten him. Veterans like Trevor Berbick, James “Bonecrusher” Smith, Pinklon Thomas, and Michael Spinks all entered those matches with plans of attack. All of them got knocked out or ran and held for twelve rounds. I think prime Ali would have danced for 12 rounds and never landed enough to beat him. Perhaps, a Foreman could have landed one devastating punch, but nobody was landing anything against him in those days. After firing Rooney, he lost all discipline and became just a power puncher. By the time he lost to Buster Douglas, he was no longer a great boxer. It’s a shame because he really would have been the best in my opinion. Instead, his career falls way behind some of the people you mentioned.

Of course, his life and behavior outside of the ring is the real shame.

 

[phreddie]

In that short (maybe two year) period of time when he unified the title and was still managed by Kevin Rooney, I don’t think anyone could have beaten him. Veterans like Trevor Berbick, James “Bonecrusher” Smith, Pinklon Thomas, and Michael Spinks all entered those matches with plans of attack. All of them got knocked out or ran and held for twelve rounds. I think prime Ali would have danced for 12 rounds and never landed enough to beat him. Perhaps, a Foreman could have landed one devastating punch, but nobody was landing anything against him in those days. After firing Rooney, he lost all discipline and became just a power puncher. By the time he lost to Buster Douglas, he was no longer a great boxer. It’s a shame because he really would have been the best in my opinion. Instead, his career falls way behind some of the people you mentioned.

Of course, his life and behavior outside of the ring is the real shame.

Lol! How many fights did Tyson win that went longer than 3 rounds. He never had any other strategy other than to hit as hard as he could until he couldn't anymore. It wouldn't even be one of Ali's top 5 wins.

 

[donniesyracuse]

Lol! How many fights did Tyson win that went longer than 3 rounds. He never had any other strategy other than to hit as hard as he could until he couldn't anymore. It wouldn't even be one of Ali's top 5 wins.

Off the top of my head, I can name several during his best years: James Tillis, Mitch Green, Jose Ribalta, Bonecrusher Smith, Tony Tucker.

 

[donniesyracuse]

He never had any other strategy other than to hit as hard as he could until he couldn't anymore.

That was true once he didn’t have a trainer. Rewatch the fights from 86 - 88. He was a disciplined boxer at that time.

 

[phreddie]

That was true once he didn’t have a trainer. Rewatch the fights from 86 - 88. He was a disciplined boxer at that time.

It is certainly an interesting "thought experiment". I just think Ali was a much more cerebral boxer. He would have a plan, and yes... it would involve dealing with a punch in the face! ;-)

 

[two3zone]

That was true once he didn’t have a trainer. Rewatch the fights from 86 - 88. He was a disciplined boxer at that time.

The discipline was over with when Cus D'Amato passed.

I don't think anyone in history beats that era of Mike.

 

[donniesyracuse]

The discipline was over with when Cus D'Amato passed.

I don't think anyone in history beats that era of Mike.

Nah, he was still disciplined in the ring up until he fired Rooney, which I think was after the Spinks fight.

 

[two3zone]

Nah, he was still disciplined in the ring up until he fired Rooney, which I think was after the Spinks fight.

That's right. I should've known that.

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

Like every other fight he's been in Paul made sure he weighed 10-20lbs more than his opponent. Being shorter was what did Iron Mike in towards the end the first time when he wasn't the fastest and most fearless anymore but of course had to go up against the #1 heavyweight in the world.

Not sure why my post calling this fight pathetic was removed. As I said the first time at least it was free imagine paying $100 PPV to watch that. Glad Adam had a good time and got his photo op.

 

[Cusester]

If you’ve never seen the Tyson- Ribalta fight, check it out. Ribalta was a very scary fighter!

 

[Toga]

Off the top of my head, I can name several during his best years: James Tillis, Mitch Green, Jose Ribalta, Bonecrusher Smith, Tony Tucker.

Mitch ing Green

 

[Gotothehole]

Free Adam. Love his energy

 

[orangefog]

Free Adam. Love his energy

It’s all positive

 

[baggerbob]

It is certainly an interesting "thought experiment". I just think Ali was a much more cerebral boxer. He would have a plan, and yes... it would involve dealing with a punch in the face! ;-)

Foreman was a devastating puncher, and much bigger then tyson. If Tyson had to fight Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Norton, or Holmes he would have lost a number of times. Those guys all could hit, and they knew hope to box.

 

[DoctorBombay]

In that short (maybe two year) period of time when he unified the title and was still managed by Kevin Rooney, I don’t think anyone could have beaten him. Veterans like Trevor Berbick, James “Bonecrusher” Smith, Pinklon Thomas, and Michael Spinks all entered those matches with plans of attack. All of them got knocked out or ran and held for twelve rounds. I think prime Ali would have danced for 12 rounds and never landed enough to beat him. Perhaps, a Foreman could have landed one devastating punch, but nobody was landing anything against him in those days. After firing Rooney, he lost all discipline and became just a power puncher. By the time he lost to Buster Douglas, he was no longer a great boxer. It’s a shame because he really would have been the best in my opinion. Instead, his career falls way behind some of the people you mentioned.

Of course, his life and behavior outside of the ring is the real shame.

If you ever get a chance, or perhaps you already have, go back and watch Ali vs Cleveland Williams, before Ali was banished by the government.
It was, IMO, the greatest display of boxing ever seen. Speed, power, footwork, you name it.
Nobody, even Tyson, Joe Louis in his prime, or anyone else can touch that version of Muhammad Ali. JMHO

 

[bnoro]

Free Adam. Love his energy

If "pretend friends with the Paul brothers" is the energy he's giving off, not sure love is the word...

 

[qdawgg]

I don’t know who would win but I know if Ali was allowed to hold his opponent the whole fight it’d have given Tyson issues. But anyone saying all Tyson did as a fighter was hit hard either doesn’t know what they’re watching when they watch boxing or never actually watched Tyson’s fights. Likely both.

 

[DoctorBombay]

I don’t know who would win but I know if Ali was allowed to hold his opponent the whole fight it’d have given Tyson issues. But anyone saying all Tyson did as a fighter was hit hard either doesn’t know what they’re watching when they watch boxing or never actually watched Tyson’s fights. Likely both.

The older Ali who rope-a-doped and held his way to another championship, would not have lasted vs Tyson.
The prime Cassius Clay/Ali who beat Sonny Liston & was untouchable in the heavyweight division before being unfairly stripped/banned from boxing for 5 years- would've beaten Tyson like a drum. JMHO

 

[capeorange]

The older Ali who rope-a-doped and held his way to another championship, would not have lasted vs Tyson.
The prime Cassius Clay/Ali who beat Sonny Liston & was untouchable in the heavyweight division before being unfairly stripped/banned from boxing for 5 years- would've beaten Tyson like a drum. JMHO

The Ali before and after the ban were 2 different fighters. Before the ban he was the greatest. The ban was bs.

 

[kirbivore]

I watched the first two rounds and turned it off. Was sad to see "Iron Mike" wobbling around.

Jake definitely carried Mike to go the "distance"

 

[Oakland]

Foreman was a devastating puncher, and much bigger then tyson. If Tyson had to fight Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Norton, or Holmes he would have lost a number of times. Those guys all could hit, and they knew hope to box.

I wonder what plan Mike would have had if an, in his prime, George Foreman punched him in the face.

 

[PeteCalvin]

Don King ruined Iron Mike. That sleezebag took advantage of a kid without a rudder and destroyed his career while lining his pockets at the same time. Tyson would have stayed out of trouble with Rooney.

As for prime Clay/Ali vs prime Iron Mike, that’s a question that belongs to the ages…or AI programs of the future.

I’m of the HBO/Tyson generation and remember watching those fights in awe of his sheer power and dominance. I’ve never seen a fighter more afraid to get in the ring than Michael Spinks. At the same time, my family always told me the stories of Ali in his prime, so I grew up appreciating the history of the sport. He was a tremendous athlete who fought more than opponents in the ring. He shaped a generation, and, for that alone, will probably always be considered “The Greatest”. My HS best friend idolized him because his dad (who died suddenly) did. Later in life, my friend actually had the opportunity to meet Ali and interview his family. I have a copy of the photo with the two of them and will cherish it forever. It’s not often one gets to meet their childhood hero, much less getting it on film.

 

[BonaCuse]

View attachment 246827

What a weekend for our former guy. This, and then I saw him walk out in Jon Jones' entourage on Saturday night.

 

[bnoro]

What a weekend for our former guy. This, and then I saw him walk out in Jon Jones' entourage on Saturday night.

Jake Paul and Jon Jones, just two outstanding citizens to associate himself with. I'm sure he got some pics with the "guests of honor" and Dana too.

 

[Newhouser]

Don King ruined Iron Mike. That sleezebag took advantage of a kid without a rudder and destroyed his career while lining his pockets at the same time. Tyson would have stayed out of trouble with Rooney.

As for prime Clay/Ali vs prime Iron Mike, that’s a question that belongs to the ages…or AI programs of the future.

I’m of the HBO/Tyson generation and remember watching those fights in awe of his sheer power and dominance. I’ve never seen a fighter more afraid to get in the ring than Michael Spinks. At the same time, my family always told me the stories of Ali in his prime, so I grew up appreciating the history of the sport. He was a tremendous athlete who fought more than opponents in the ring. He shaped a generation, and, for that alone, will probably always be considered “The Greatest”. My HS best friend idolized him because his dad (who died suddenly) did. Later in life, my friend actually had the opportunity to meet Ali and interview his family. I have a copy of the photo with the two of them and will cherish it forever. It’s not often one gets to meet their childhood hero, much less getting it on film.

Don King didn't do Ali's career any favors either.