He would have fought on defending his title until he ran into Frazier or maybe Foreman. A 1972 Foreman could have pile driven an undefeated, cocky Ali.
Muhammad Ali would have defeated Oscar Bonavena in April 1967, in a bout held In Japan, by scoring a 'solid' 15-Round Decision. Oscar brings the Tokyo fans to their feet, by walloping Muhammad around for the first 3-Rounds', but Muhammad re-groups in Round 4, and rallies strongly. After an 'even' bout for '6-Rounds', Ali sweeps the next '7-Rounds', to build an insurmountable lead. The last '2-Rounds' are fought evenly. 10-3-2 on the Scorecard. --------------------------------------------------------------------- But, Muhammad would have been 'upset' by Thad Spencer in June 1967, at the Oakland Coliseum. Spencer floors Cassius Clay (as he calls him) 'twice' in the 2nd Round, and buckles his legs in Rounds 4, 5, and 7. By Round 10, Thad's left hooks to the body have turned Muhammad into a bruised mass, and unable to move. Thad Spencer stays steady over the last 5-Rounds, and wins an 'upset' Decision. 8-4-3 on the Scorecard.
Muhammad Ali would have won the 'rematch' with Thad Spencer in November 1967, most likely by a TKO in 13. Setting up a Ali vs Spencer III for April 1968 in Las Vegas. Muhammad easily defeats an out-of-shape Thad Spencer, by another stoppage, this time by a TKO in 9. The 'bizarre' WBA Heavyweight Tournament would have never developed, meaning the division would be wide open with challengers. In July 1968 - Ali would then head over to Tokyo, Japan - for a 'lucrative pay-day' versus Oscar Bonavena II. In the rematch he would have to work much harder to gain a 15-Round Unanimous Decision (7-4-4 on the Scorecard). This would be a much tougher battle than his April 1967 bout with Oscar. On the way home, Muhammad stops off in Stockholm, Sweden {August 1968} to take on Floyd Patterson (for the 2nd time). Only 30-Days after fighting Oscar Bonavena, Muhammad scores another win, by stopping Floyd by a TKO in 10 on 'cuts'.
I see a sharp and active Ali not having nearly the same problems with Bonavena that he did in their 1970 bout. Don't forget that Muhammad had seen no more than three rounds action over a period of three and a half years. In '67 he'd probably score at least 10 - 5 in rounds,if not stopping Oscar late in the fight,as he did in reality.
Nah, I seen enough from the slower, more flat-footed, less stamina, more inactive version of Ali in 1971 to tell me that the peak late 60s version of Ali beats Joe on points by close-ish but clear enough UD... too much movement when Joe gets close, too good from from distance.... he`d just score too many points in the centre of the ring & he`d have the energy to escape most of Joe`s attempts at cornering him for the majority of the fight. Frazier would have to be better than he was in 71 to beat a peak 67/68 version of Ali & I don`t think he can be better than that tbh.
I just think Frazier has a stylistic edge. His peak head movement and his incredible workrate and stamina make him the perfect nemesis for the fleet footed Ali. I think Frazier does him on points.
After Floyd Patterson in August 1968 Muhammad Ali takes on Buster Mathis in October 1968, back home in Louisville, Kentucky. In a 'dull bout' Muhammad cannot put the big man down, and has to settle for a left jab contest. Buster Mathis 'shocked' the Lousiville boxing fans when he floors the Champion in Round 9 with a counter right-hand to the jaw, as Muhammad was waving at his hometown fans. Unanimous 15-Round Decision. (11-2-2 on the Scorecard). Joe Frazier who was in attendance at ringside, had to be rushed to the Lousiville General Hospital after the 9th Round. Diagnosis = He almost died from laughing.
