Intresting point about ALI

Magical Monzon is a magician. :rasta

 

Interesting point ! I've always doubted that Muhammad was as casually trained for the Thrilla as has been painted in recent years. He may not have been as finely honed as he was for the Norton 2,Frazier 2 or Foreman fights,but he still looked in pretty good shape,in my eyes.

Let's think about it,in September '75,Ali had n't really had the time to get OUT of shape.

March '75 - Wepner 15 rounds

May '75 - Lyle 11 rounds

June '75 - Bugner 15 rounds



Even taking into account that Muhammad was 10 pounds and 13 pounds heavier than for fights 1 & 2,respectively,his condition was still battle hard. And as has been pointed out,Frazier was also 10 pounds heavier than he was for their first fight. This can be attributed to Father Time rather than lack of training.

 

And he was one of the first who urged Muhammad to retire after Manila.

 

They were very sloppy insipid performances though.

 

Absolutely. :good

His lack of respect for most fighters is utterly outrageous.
I don't disagree with everything he says on fight commentary, but he's said some things that are just disgusting. And the way he's treated fighters in interviews has been terrible.

Pacheco is a piece of ****, no question.

 

True. Nonetheless,they kept Muhammad busy and battle hardened for Frazier.

 

In the immediate postfight interview at Manila, an exhausted Ali stated that if he hadn't been in top shape, "I know I woulda' lost. He is the greatest fighter of all times next to me."

It's a fascinating topic: grueling preparation to attain greatness; grueling preparation to retain it.

I once read Frazier quoted as saying that a fighter's preparation--or lack thereof--will eventually be found out in front of the whole world, under the lights.

 

Both of them had to have been in very good shape to have fought at the pace that they did. In that heat too.

 

I think Ali was capable of training harder than any heavyweight champion in history. You don't get to be that fast, that sharp, that explosive on genes alone.

 

I agree Shake. When Ali trained hard for a bout,he would do so without compromise.