frazier prime 1971 fotc vs ali prime.

Frazier - at his very best he had what it took. Ali couldn't dance for twelve or fifteen rounds, and he needed to, stay away, keep him on the end of his jab, stick him with straight rights and keep moving. As soon as Frazier could get inside and work on his body, Ali was in trouble - making his movement more and more difficult. The slower Ali got, the more likely it was that he was going eat big left hooks.

I see Ali winning opening rounds but the damage not really hurting Frazier enough to stop Joe turning the tide. I see Joe knocking Ali down later on as with FOTC. Points victory to Joe. Not sure I see anyone knocking out Ali, but if anyone could, it was Joe.

 

I think Frazier stops this version of Ali. This version of Muhammad thought he was unbeatable, was far too cocky for my liking and his chin probably wasn't as sturdy as it was in the 70s. I don't think he was ready for a prime ATG at this stage in his career, well at least with a major stylistic disadvantage (as was the case in 71) It would be razor close on the cards at the time of the stoppage, probably around the 10th round, but if Ali could survive the late onslaught then it could be anyone's fight.

 

Frazier on points. He's like the anti-Ali and he was everything Ali wasn't.

Noone can run from Joe for twelve rounds. unless you bang him out you're gonna lose.

 

The question is whether Joe could cut off the ring against a peak 1967 Ali, and I don't think he'd be able to do it often enough to win the majority of the rounds to take a decision. I'm sure most here have seen this, but if you haven't it's worth a watch

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scnk9-xHRMA[/url]

Cus D'amato is watching Ali in sparring in 1970 after his lay off, and he notes that Ali isn't moving as fluidly, and needs more steps to glide around the ring, in other words Ali was easier to pin down at this stage. Also in the lay off, we can assume his timing and reactions will have slowed down somewhat. Ali was still great in 1971 when Frazier beat him, but he had clearly declined, and even still the fight was a massive struggle. I think Frazier would struggle to close the distance against a peak Ali often enough, to win enough rounds. I think Frazier would have taken more jabs and right crosses as well trying to close the distance, especially as he gets more desperate later on. I think Ali would win a clear 10-5 or 9-6 type decision, with no knockdowns

 

Frazier still wins, at least as emphatically (as he did).

 

The 1971 FOTC Frazier wins...on that night...Joe was NOT going to be denied...he beats prime Ali...

 

It would be a tough and close battle but prime Ali takes it by decision. Ali of '71 was still a great fighter but he had to fight in spurts to conserve his energy which is why Frazier was able to land as much as he did. Prime Ali could stay on his toes all night which would've made more difficult for Joe to land as often. Ali wouldn't need to rest on the ropes as often so Frazier does more chasing and less landing though he would still land of course. Picture the same kind of fight with a more mobile Ali and i see a decision win for him.

 

Look at the fight Ali put up in the actual FOTC & there is your answer, he was all that x 2 at his peak.

Muhammad Ali by clear UD, that version of Ali in 67 was the best the division has ever seen IMO, he`d beat Joe in a tough but clear decision.

 

:huh

He couldn`t do it in 3 attempts vs worse versions of Ali.

 

Ali thought he was unbeatable ?... that`s a good thing & makes him all the tougher to beat, surely, unless you`re thinking Ali would be overconfident & take Frazier lightly, well he`d lose if he came in like that but video evidence points in the opposite direction, Ali of 66/67 was all business, fully professional once inside the ring & Joe would have been his toughest fight on paper since Liston, I`m sure a 100% Ali (physically and mentally) shows up to take care of business.

Frazier would do well not to get outclassed, forget about him winning by KO, the odds are ridiculously slim of that happening. He`d need to bring his A+ game just to lose competitively on points IMO.

 

Exactly as I see things here :good

 

I strongly believe Ali's peak would have occurred between early 1967 and late 1970, the period he was inactive for non-boxing reasons. The Ali during that period or just prior to it beats Frazier IMO, regardless of styles etc.

 

Ali never "stayed on his toes" 4d entire 15, or even 12 rds, never.
So Joe would have always caught up 2 him, and when Ali was in his prime, he was less durable, weaker and weaker hitting than in 1971, so what u typed is taken out of fantasy, not based on reality.

 

Joe Frazier by close decision. He had what Ali was vunerable to, a good, short in close lefthook. Frazier also was very fast moving in and cutting the ring. The fact that he invested in the body attack from the 1st round on is also a key.