This was suppose to be the fight that happen when Ali came out of retirement. But, John Tate was upset in a last round Ko to Mike Weaver. A fight John Tate was easily winning. If Tate had won the fight with Mike Weaver him and the Greatest would have fought. How do you all think this fight would have played out? Tate, was a good boxer but not a slugger and he was slower than Holmes. This fight could have been interesting :bbb.
I think Tate gives Ali a bad beating by that point. Ali couldn't escape johns reach and didn't have the power to Dispatch him as Berbick and weaver did..
It would have been for 15 rounds. I don't believe Ali had the physical ability to fight 15 rounds at that time. Tate was a horrible fighter so it's a close fight for 10 rounds. Then the younger man takes over. U 15 decision for Tate.
Tate by easy decision, possibly a shutout. Ali had nothing left and Tate was not 'a horrible fighter'. He was a decent boxer with wins over Coetzee, Knotzee and was easily outboxing Weaver before gassing and getting caught late.
Big John Tate was a capable fighter with skills, size and strength, but had durability issues. Most likely, Tate would wipe the floor in a bout with a completely shot Muhammad Ali during 1980. - Chuck Johnston
Don King should have gone back to prison and instead he was put into the Hall of Fame . Ali should not have been in the ring and I wouldn't bet on him against anyone during this period.
Tate was far from horrible; give him a chin and he's formidable as hell. Even without the chin, the 1980 Ali would have little chance against him.
Tate, of course. Style is all wrong for Muhammad to capitalize on. I always wondered why Arum didn't put the fight together. He was giving Tate minimal paydays as it was and forcing him to be a road warrior. why not take on Ali for big money---none of which goes to Tate? Highly profitable bout for the promoter to make and he'd line his pockets very very well. There were just so many proposed or talked about Ali bouts from like 77 on that never happened. This was just another one that probably had little chance of ever happening. I know if Tate was not the champ, there was zero chance of him being selected as an opponent. Similar to Holmes--if Larry wasn't champ, does anyone think they are taking him on in a 10 rounder? Another thought just occurred to me---what if Jones/Rappaport got old Ali to sign for their guy gentleman Gerry? Man, would that have sold big in 80 to 82.
Tate would win an easy decision. He wouldn't truly hurt Muhammad, but put a beating on him otherwise.