Expert opinion is that the modern male lion has no equal in the cat world when it comes to his fighting ability.
Seated next to a tiger, the lion is composed. The tiger, on the other hand, is usually nervous and apprehensive.
The tiger does not seem to have the lion's capacity for calm analysis and appraisal. This puts him at a disadvantage in a fight with a lion."
The tiger has no rival as a pure predator, but hates the idea of a fight. As a lone predator, fighting for the tiger is an extremely bad idea and injury from a fight could spell starvation.
Predation for food should not be confused with ability in battle. It is a common misapprehension that being the better solitary hunter automatically means the tiger will also be the better fighter. This is incorrect as the techniques used and experiences involved are quite different. However this debate is over and there is no winner and no loser.