Ali triumphs to become HW Champion 3 times as an underdog. How did he do it?

And honestly guys, Ali was a shell after Manila... That fight (war) pretty much finished both fighters...

 

Manila took a lot out of Ali for sure, but I think the Shavers fight was what really did him in. I believe it was after that fight that Muhammad started slurring his words.

 

Thanks Southpaw ! And, clinikill good point as well. The Shavers fight was a tough one as well. Shavers could crack ,and with Ali lacking the mobility of his youth got his chin checked a lot in that fight ...

 

I can't speak for the man since he's dead, but maybe it was a case of knowing Ali wouldn't quit, and basically sticking out the ride since Ali would carry on fighting whether or not Dundee was in his corner. I don't know, I'm just guessing. It is something that I have thought about, and I agree it should be discussed.

 

To be honest, I still don't know how Ali took some of those right hands. Several landed clean and hard, and similar to the shot that dropped Holmes. There was one right hand, in the 7th I think it was, that hit Ali so hard that he almost seemed to lift off the canvas briefly.

If anyone even dares think that Ali didn't have an iron chin, just point them to the Shavers fight.

 

Even the Ali of Zaire,three years previously,would have had a fairly easy night with Shavers.

 

Definitely food for thought. My guess is that Dundee did n't want Ali to carry on,but he stuck with him because of loyalty.

 

It was that shot that Ali took in the second that sent a shudder through his body ! An iron chin,indeed.

 

In the 14th, Shavers landed a 1-2 after the bell that seemed to ring Ali's bell pretty good. Ali was very slow going back to his corner. He looked like he had nothing left in the tank. Ali's big rally in the 15th really shows his heart and determination.

 

And the scary part is that the Ali in the Shavers fight was damn near flat-footed and a very stationery target. So he took the full force of Shavers bombs... And Shavers was def one of the all time great bangers if not the best of the heavies...Ali`s heart and chin,while leading him to victory... Is a good part of the reason he is the way he is today. I always said that the shits Ali took and came back form over the years. Would have (and did) finish off most heavyweights...And I think Dundee probably knew that it as over for Ali,but... I don`t see anyone telling Ali when to pack it in