re: Joe Frazier vs Mike Tyson (Who would win?)

Would have been fascinating to see those two in their primes. Many forget that most of Ali's most famous fights occurred AFTER his prime once he returned from "exile" for refusing military service.

In the 1960's-era Ali, the young Tyson would have faced a significantly taller opponent with blazing hand and foot speed and a much stouter punch than many gave him credit for. Ali see across from him a super quick, super strong fighter who still has not forsaken the jab or the bobbing and weaving style from which he fired those brutal hooks.

One thing that almost certainly would have happened: Tyson misses and misses a lot. how does he handle that? Ali had no fear and would not have been intimidated. Tyson eats leather like he never did as a young man, but at that point in his career would he have fought back and stayed with his plan, giving himself to get to Ali with a big shot or combination? I think he would have AT THAT TIME.

Another thing we know, for sure, is that Ali had an amazing chin. I assume that a younger Tyson would hit Ali and probably hurt him, but Ali would exact a terrible toll on Tyson for doing so. As the fight goes into the later rounds - and I strongly believe that it would have - Tyson's pace would have slowed. Ali takes a relatively clear decision or possibly takes Tyson out in the later rounds.

Tyson-Frazier: what an action fight! This one goes 3 rounds or less. I actually like Tyson in this one

Tyson-Foreman: what a terrible matchup for Tyson who struggled even against relatively unskilled big guys. Foreman clubs Tyson down.

All in the 1970's - and past Ali's prime - he defeated Frazier (2x), Norton (2x), Foreman, Shavers, and Spinks. Although it is not Tyson's fault that the heavyweight division was so weak, what was his greatest victory? light heavyweight Michael Spinks? an aged Larry Holmes? Donovan "Razor" Ruddock? Hard to pick out a signature win. It seems to me that most of his big name opponents came after he had already declined and they whipped him soundly.

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you just have to survive the first 1:30 so he can't knock you down with one punch

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One of the most bullshite boxing memes in history.

It presumes that Tyson knocked guys out early because he had to.

Tyson didn't knock guys out early because he had to. . .he did it because he could.

And he went past the 1st several times before Douglas.

21 out of 37 fights went past the 1st round.

11 of 37 went to the 4th or beyond

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It presumes that Tyson knocked guys out early because he had to.

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It was a reference to the NES game.

Dude it's a toss up. People who grew up during Tyson's era I think of the heavyweights the last couple of decades. During late sixties and throughout the 70s the heavyweight division was the deepest it has ever been. Tyson may have beaten Joe but noone will ever convince me he could have beat him twice or ever beat Ali or Foreman.

Ali was absolutely great.

However, while Ali is credited with winning 2 of 3 from Joe Frazier, Frazier clearly won the 3rd match if you go back and watch the fight on film.

Ali had a broken jaw and was tough enough to finish the fight. But, Frazier whipped Ali's arse and jaw that day. No doubt.

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What was his record in these fights?

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11-0

I am referring to his pre-Douglas fights. Before he went to shite.

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he guy never really had to fight anyone

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Spinks was nobody?

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foreman in his prime wouldve killed tyson.

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Slow hard puncher.

Tyson would have beat him. Tyson gets inside. Once he gets inside, Foreman's power is a non-factor that close. Tyson was a better close in fighter than Foreman.

If Tyson can take a couple punches to get inside, Foreman would be done.

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Tyson, like I said, no fault of his own never had a signature win.

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Spinks was a great fighter.

So was Razor Ruddock.