Perhaps it would do good if Mike Tyson doesn’t get to hear this. For he grew up idolizing Muhammad Ali! ‘The Greatest’ continues to inspire. He has been the driving force behind many careers, including that of Tyson. So it would be preposterous for ‘Iron’ Mike to think about a matchup against his role model. But the fact remains that a fictional face-off offers the fans the best chance to explore the ‘what if’ scenarios in the most enjoyable manner. To many, it has a charm of its own. It’s the only chance that allows the past of boxing to meet the present in a seamless order.

Perhaps in that dream cauldron, the head-to-head matchup that has grabbed the maximum attention remains a fight between prime Muhammad Ali and prime Mike Tyson. Scores of attempts have been made to hypothesize a showdown between two of boxing’s greatest artists. Many feel that given his renowned technical skills, Ali would easily triumph over Tyson. However, former world champion Michael Nunn believes that’s a way out the ‘Kid Dynamite’ could turn the tables.

Hold your ground

‘Second To Nunn’ was the latest guest of DJ Vlad. The two went over a range of topics. So it was time to switch gears. “I mean, if you were to put Muhammad Ali in his prime and Mike Tyson in the ring, what do you think would happen?” the host asked.

The former two-division world champion was clear. He had no doubt that Muhammad Ali would squeeze past Mike Tyson. But for that to happen, he would have to ensure that the youngest heavyweight champion doesn’t go full throttle in the opening rounds. 80s records are replete with instances where Tyson established an early dominance. Thereafter, it was total destruction. A ruthless barrage of punches would collapse the opponent’s rhythm, leaving them vulnerable to making mistakes.

It would be a ‘good classic fight’, he felt. However, Ali would have to consistently move around the ring, not giving Tyson any opportunity to land his powerful punches. “I wouldn’t want to see a young Ali and a young Mike Tyson just Ali landing on the ropes with him. I’m saying because it’s too detrimental; you know, I’m saying too many things can happen,” said the Iowa-born southpaw.

Michael Nunn recalled Mike Tyson’s trademark style. He pointed out how the former heavyweight champion used to set traps for his opponents. Then using one of his favorite combinations, such as the right hand lead hook and shovel hook or the right hook, right uppercut, and lead hook, he would knockout the adversary.

“So it wouldn’t be a good idea to rope a do with a guy like Tyson, you know, especially at a young age of 24 or 25 years old getting hit by Mike Tyson,” concluded Nunn.

Muhammad Ali: Always ahead through ages

Usually it is parameters such as style, punching power, speed, chin, stamina, and a few others that are often used to assess a boxer’s skill. So if one applies those yardsticks to Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson’s simulated face-off, then it would emerge that ‘The Greatest’ might have won. One should consider the level of opposition that he faced. He fought through grueling fifteen-round fights. So it’s hard to imagine the level of punishment Ali faced as a world champion.

Muhammad Ali may not have had brutal power. But had been there in the current era, many feel, he would have clearly dominated the scene with his sheer technical brilliance. However, against a boxer of Mike Tyson’s caliber—a lethal combination of power and speed—one could never predict which way the fight would end.

What is your take? Do you agree with Michael Nunn’s insights on Ali vs. Tyson?