by TIMOTHY J. THOMPSON

Created on: October 16, 2009   Last Updated: October 18, 2009

There have been some tremendous battles throughout the long and profound history of sports. There can be absolutely no doubt about it. The Boston Celtics vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Yankees vs. the Boston Red Sox, the Dallas Cowboys vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, the USSR vs the USA in hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics are just a few of these historic and legendary clashes that left viewers numb and speechless for a long time afterward.

There have also been some historic matchups that never did take place in sports history; and it is a shame that they didn't or couldn't because time and age prevented it. How about Secretariat vs. Man O' War, or Secretariat vs. Seattle Slew? Those matchups sure would have been battles of and for the ages. There can be no doubt about that either.

In boxing history, there is one confrontation that never took place becasue of the sands of time, but I would give almost anything to have somehow, someway been able to see it. That matchup would be Muhammmad Ali vs. Mike Tyson for the Heavyweight Championship of the Universe! So, who would have won that historic clash? Let's analyze it.

First, Ali stood 6 feet, 3 inches tall, Tyson stood about 5 feet, 11 inches tall. Ali was faster and had greater reach. Also, he was a smarter fighter. Ali was a strategist. He would deliberately get into his opponent's head. He would dance around, sticking his opponent with that endless left handed jab. Slowly, but surely he would wear his opponent down, both mentally and physically, then knock him out to a thunderous ovation from the crowd. Enough said.

Secondly, there was Iron Mike. And he was as tough and as strong as a piece of iron. Tyson fought flat footed. He did not bother to dance around and throw endless jabs at his opponents. He simply knocked them into a whole different time zone with a single punch from either hand. Most of his fights, if you can even refer to them as that, lasted no more than three rounds. Some lasted just two. A few lasted less than one full round. A couple were over after he threw and landed his very first punch! That is not an exaggeration. It is hard core reality.

Both legendary fighters were incredibly physically fit. Both were ripped. Both had tremendous endurance. So who would have had the advantage? Well, on paper, Ali did. Throughout his illustrious career, he was repeatedly able to defeat opponents with superior strength. Perhaps, the best example of this was his battle in Africa with George Foreman. Ali used strategy to win his fights. Tyson used brute force.

However, one should not dismiss Tyson's chances out of hand. In my opinion, he would have a much better than average chance to whip Ali. I base my theory on the fact that Ali lost numerous fights during his career. So, that shows a certain degree of vulnerability on his part. And I say that with all due respect to him. Also, during his first of three legendary bouts with Joe Frazier, remember how Ali was planted on the canvas by a left handed upper cut during the 15th and final round. Ali simply did not see that punch coming. Also, Frazier was the exact same height as Tyson, who had a wicked upper cut in his vast arsenal just like Frazier did. I would also add this: Tyson was far stronger and his punches much more powerful than Frazier's were. So, had that full upper cut that knocked Ali down come from Tyson instead, Ali may never have recovered from the massive impact.

In summation, no matter what the outcome would have been in a boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, one thing is for sure. It would have been a clash of epic proprtions.

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