The only version of Ali that Greb has a chance to survive 7 or 8 rounds is the one who fought Spinks and won the title for the third time. Too much size, speed, reach, weight and height advantage. Greb could perhaps rough him for a few early rounds like Cooper but not much else. The Holmes Ali? Hmmmm.
The Holmes version of Ali was almost 39 Years old and he was almost 37 when he lost to Spinks,very sad to see an absolute legend fight way past his time.!!!!!
I have a hard time seeing Ali near his best being jepardized over 15 by Harry Greb, with all due respect to Greb's speed, chin and stamina. I think it's possible that Greb might have some interesting rounds early on, but eventually Ali gets a line on him and brings him under control. Maybe if I had seen Greb I'd feel, oh, 15% differently. Greb vs. the somewhat complacent Ali who fought Jimmy Young might be interesting; peak to peak, I just don't see Ali letting this get out of hand.
I realy seem to have run into a brick wall with this one. I am surprised that people do not look past the weight disparity, and look at the technical and stylistic problems that Greb might pose. I think that he might well have made a better fight of it, than any of Ali's title challengers of the 60s.
It's not just the weight disparity, nor the size. It's the fact that a peak Ali was phenomenally fast as well as massive. And his reach was long, his punches accurate. Greb fought some decent heavyweights who went 195 and stood around 6 foot. Guys like Bill Brennan, Charley Weinert, Quentin Rojas and Jack Renault or whoever. Guys who were mediocre to decent contenders or tough journeymen at the time, and were maybe as big as, say, Jerry Quarry. Muhammas Ali was significantly BIGGER. Significantly BETTER. And significantly QUICKER. Greb's asset against those inferior heavyweights was probably speed and elusiveness and busyness. Ali would bring his own speed and elsuiveness, and accuracy.
Well said. And these to me are the reason Ali eventually stops Greb. The possibility of Greb beating Ali was never in my thought processes from post #1. Harry giving him some troubles and a few fits before the end came is where I was thinking from. Not to sound smug, but I haven't read anything here thus far that is compelling enough to make me feel otherwise. "ALI WAS TOO BIG!" and "DUDE, ALI TOYS WITH HIM AND STOPS HIM IN TWO!" are not compelling arguements to me.
Well I have a different view again. I don't think Greb would cause Ali many problems at all. A 215lb man with not disimilair handspeed who is way way out in front for reach, strength and power isn't going to have trouble, and that's no reflection on Greb who may be the greatest ever to box. But nor would I back Ali to stop Greb. I think his blistering speed and insane ring-craft would keep him safe from real harm. Hence, a stinker. Also, for all his heart, Greb knows boxing. He would know he couldn't win, same as he knew he probably couldn't beat Dempsey late in his career. Also, he was known for changing his style dependent upon ruleset, opponent and judging. Anyone think maybe Greb boxed to survive against Tunney the last time, maybe just a bit?
there is no bigger fan of Harry Greb than me, with the possible exception than the ultimate Greb historian, Klompton,wherever he may be. To my eyes Harry greb P4p was the most phenomenal fighter who ever lived...That being said what is the point of matching him against an Ali in a fantasy bout. ? Silly and cruel to his memory and legacy. The guy was the bravest of the brave, battling bigger guys many who were HOF fighters, but Harry was a mere mortal, and I won't respond to who would WIN between he and a 215 lb, 6ft3" Ali. Like posing a thread asking who would win between Roberto Duran and Michael Spinks ? Sometimes even with great fighters there is a bridge too far...