Ali lost to Frazier a year earlier and was no longer the dancing master, no longer mr elusive, but still world class and still young. Tyson drops him early with a left hook. Ali forced to fight it out. Can't dance any more, but has other tricks up his sleeve. Ties Tyson up, frustrates him, hits him with hard counters off the ropes. Nevertheless Tyson rocks him numerous times and punishes both head and body. Ali's counters are beginning to take their toll though and every now and then he explodes with a flurry. Tyson ahead on points going into the latter part of the fight but Ali senses that his man is weakening and goes for the kill. Referree stops the fight in the 11th. Ali by late TKO.
I've always felt that if Mike drops Ali at anytime that there's no guarantee of Ali being able to just dust himself off. I think Ali would NEED to be able to dance to beat a PRIME Tyson. I don't believe a rope a dope works on Mike. Plus, prime Tyson didn't just fade after 2 rounds. Against a 72 Ali, I like Mike to stop him in 9 rounds or so. Now Ali during his Clay days is another story.
