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Boxing Expert's Predictions For Muhammad Ali Against Five Heavyweight Greats In Dream Clashes

Boxing Expert's Predictions For Muhammad Ali Against Five Heavyweight Greats In Dream Clashes

Boxing icon Muhammad Ali was placed in hypothetical fights with Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Muhammad Ali would have beaten boxing legends Mike Tyson and Rocky Marciano in dream bouts, according to a boxing expert.

The 'Greatest' built an incredible legacy in the sport and is widely regarded as the best boxer of all time.

But that hasn't stopped fans from dreaming up blockbuster fights involving Ali and other legends from the sport.

Graham Houston, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame, wrote a piece for ESPN that predicted the results of the 'Greatest' against Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Lennox Lewis, Tyson and Marciano.

The Boxing Monthly editor said the fight between Ali and Dempsey "would have been a mismatch."

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He added: "The size disparity would have been pronounced in this contest. Dempsey was really just a cruiserweight by today's standards, at around 192 pounds, which means he would have been giving away some 20 pounds to the Ali of the Cleveland Williams fight."

According to Houston, Ali would have faced a bigger challenge against Louis and would have been placed under "heavy pressure."

But the Hall of Famer predicted that Ali would have managed to come through the "grueling fight" with a decision victory.

Ali would have been "too big, too fast and too skilled for Marciano," according to Houston.

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He believes that Marciano, who maintained an unblemished record, wouldn't have inflicted the "damage necessary to slow down Ali" and it would be "easy to visualize the 'Rock' having to take a lot of punches and perhaps suffering cuts."

Houston picked Ali as the winner of the fight, either by decision or through a late stoppage.

A prime 'Iron' Mike vs Ali would be one of the biggest dream fights imaginable for any fan, and the blockbuster clash has previously been simulated for an outcome.

Houston believes that Tyson would have put Ali through a "desperate struggle" in the first six rounds and could even 'put him down' with a left hook.

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But Ali's "cool boxing brain and his character" would help him sustain the onslaught from Tyson, who "would have started to unravel" when the 'Greatest' took him into the later rounds.

Houston once again backed Ali to emerge victoriously, saying he would win by decision or late stoppage.

Boxing legend Lewis would be the only boxer on the list to beat Ali, according to Houston.

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He said that Ali "would have been the small man in the fight" and "would have needed all his skill" to beat the 6ft 5in Lewis.

Houston says that Lewis "could have timed his left hand, enabling him to match jabs with Ali" and made a bold claim that he "might even have outjabbed him, as Ken Norton was able to do."

Posted below are Houston's verdicts on how all five matches would have played out.

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Ali vs Jack Dempsey: verdict -- "Ali vs Dempsey would have been a mismatch, with the old 'Manassa Mauler' being confused, outsmarted, outboxed and outclassed."

Ali vs Joe Louis: verdict -- "Ali by decision in a grueling fight."

Ali vs Rocky Marciano: verdict -- "Ali by decision or late stoppage."

Ali vs Mike Tyson: verdict -- "Ali by decision or late stoppage."

Ali vs Lennox Lewis: verdict -- "Lewis on points in a tactical match without many thrills."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Mike Tyson, Boxing News, Boxing, Joe Louis, Lennox Lewis, muhammad ali