If Ali could take shots from Earnie Shavers, he could take shots from Tyson. I think what gets lost in Ali discussions is how big he was, his reach, and his speed & agility for a guy 6-3" and about 225-230 lbs.
If Ali survived a prime George Foreman, he would beat Tyson up in the later rounds of a fight between the two of them in their prime.
yeah Tyson could have issues more so with Alis movement more than anything else as in the night he fought Cleveland Williams, however he lies on the ropes as he done with Frazier and Foreman, That sort of Strategy against a 1986-88 Tyson would be a real bad idea the thing that seperates Tyson from guys with huge punching power was the Rapid Combinations he would put together....@ Once, and theres the kicker imo...he never just threw 1 punch @ a time like he did post 1995, if the right hand missed...the elbow was there, the body shots near always followed bye.... uppercuts...and then hooks to the head...both sides... and FAST...etc etc etc
George, Shavers, Williams etc had Huge power...one shot...@ a Time, and only Williams @ his best (long before he faced Ali) had a good defence, Both Foreman and Shavers were easy too hit...as in they would just stand in front...and Bomb away, Ali Moves, shows the Angles, lightning fast hands, ties up Tyson on the inside (fast no mucking around) like on the night he fought Williams...yeah could see him winning taking Tyson into the later rounds and Drowning him both Mentally and physically
Imo... i think Ali wouldn't have beaten a 1980s Tyson... after 1970...the 1960s version of Ali against a Prime Tyson would be the one, his Lateral movement from side too side, combinations @ speed, footwork, hand-speed and the fact he rarely got HIT would be a very very Difficult Night for Tyson, a older 1970s version of Ali while unquestionably Mentally tougher and Mature lacked the speed, Lateral movement, footwork, CONSTANT dancing etc of the 60s...lie on the ropes and try that Rope a dope nonsense with a Young, hungry, Undefeated, 86-88 Tyson...imo he would beat Ali.... and beat him in Devastating style.