Ali vs Foreman rematch in the fall of 1977: who would have won?

Dino,

So when Wlad beats Pulev you will give Wlad full credit this time?

 

Good question.

Well, I tell you what. Ali's approach would have been different and he might not have been as well prepared. Foreman had crushed Frazier and Norton... he was the scariest mofo on the planet. I was a life changing event for Ali in '74, plus the extra 6 weeks helped.

Hard to say what would have happened (based mainly on the fact that Ali might not have been as prepared because Foreman hadn't proved his worth vs. Frazier and Norton yet... two guy that had defeated Ali), but I'd lean toward an Ali win.

 

People say George was mentally ruined after Zaire. Damaged, yes. Ruined, no. The loss to Ali made him tougher. Lyle slammed him harder than Ali did and George willed himself up, and won. George slaughtered Frazier who had just taken Ali "next to death". He rubbed out prospects like Dennis and LeDoux with ease....Ali would have struggled with both of them by that point. It's ridiculous to think an Ali victory is guaranteed here. If Evangelista could make Ali fight 15 rounds, think of the damage Foreman could have done. The question would be whether George' stamina would hold up again. Losing to Young was no shameful thing. There are many who think Jimmy should have been champ at that point. He was top three in the world at that time, and a very tough style for George.

 

The Foreman who lost to Young loses to Ali.

 

He would certainly have been thrashed by the 1974 Zaire Ali. Jimmy Young was n't as good as Muhammad was in '74 but was better than him by the time 1977 rolled around.


A 1977 rematch between Muhammad and George would have been very much a 50/50 situation.

 

Ali certainly would have prepared with more vigor for Foreman than he did for Shavers who despite his punching prowess Ali did not really take seriously. After the fight I think Ali was surprised how well Shavers fought. He thought Shavers would gas quickly and be knocked out but it didn't exactly unfold like that.

 

That's what's amazing about Ali, in his second career you can probably count on one hand the times he came in 100% tip top condition and he still managed a cracking record.

 

He also won a few decisions he didn't really deserve. In my opinion his second run as heavyweight champion after KOing Foreman was not that great.

 

Maybe so but he was still competitive in those fights against better conditioned and younger fighters.

 

Ali at that point would have been only a human punching bag. He wouldn't even have had the strength to unleash a decent combination after getting pounded round after round.

Foreman would have been tired of course but being younger and stronger, he still could have picked his shots to unleash hurting blows. The fight is stopped, either with Ali taking a pounding and not responding or else Dundee stops it in the corner.

 

foreman would beat the crap of this zombie version of ali in 1977, ali would take a beating. just 4 trolls of the bunch ali qaeda would pick clay for this fight

 

Calling him "this zombie version" in '77 is a bit strong. Okay,Ali was no longer the fighter he was when he regained the title from Foreman three years earlier,but he was hardly a wreck !

 

Foreman I think would have punished ali in a rematch, because the strategy that ali used in zaire against george would never work again...and Ali would not have been dancing all that much around that time. George was mentally in a fragile state but I imagine would have been geared up for a chance at redemption.

 

George may well have mentally exhausted himself because of the fragile mental state you mention.


I've always maintained that had this rematch occured prior to 1976,Ali would win no matter what Foreman brought to the table. After '76,it would depend on the younger man's state of mind. A true 50/50 one

 

Here's the bottom line; despite Foreman being, basically, brain-dead toast after Zaire, he was still a dangerous monster and Ali wanted absolutely and completely, NO part in a Foreman rematch. I like the poster's comment that, if he'd beaten Young, and destroyed Shavers (which he would have, no one knocks out George, he let Lyle clock several Sunday shots on his stupid head yet he was going nowhere and Shavers wouldn't have been any different) he would have been the #1 contender and Ali would have avoided him like the plague. Ali? Greatest HW ever IMO. 2nd reign? A lot of smoke and mirrors and BS.