Ok maybe the second one was a fix. It was clear to see a solid punch landed by Ali but given the controversy over the count, the way Liston had ties to the mob and the way he was shunned by the boxing world I can accept that as less than legitimate. I wouldn't assume it but I can accept it (like McGovern v Gans). But the first fight was not a fix imo. It was a competitive fight Liston was losing before quitting due to shoulder injury.
Lewis and Foreman. ( I still think Foreman would have won the rematch if the ropes were on the up and up. )
In my view it's one of four fighters. Lewis, Holmes (points), Foreman (ropes not loose) and Tyson. Now which of those fighters would actually win, I have no idea. Out of the gate, it would be Tyson, but it's also possible Ali beats him mentally before they even get into the ring. Holmes could win a decision, Foreman could catch him and Lewis, if he were to win, would most likely win a decision.
Yeah, Louis comes to mind but I don't think he'd get it done. Tyson is next but if he doesn't do it early I don't think Ali is going anywhere.
I don't see anyone doing it. He had great reflexes and speed, and a great chin. The few times he got knocked down in his prime, he recovered very quickly.
This Ali was too slick in the first fight for the plodding Liston. It didn't look like a fix and I have never read anything where someone thought it was a fix. The second fight, yes, many think the fix was in.
I was wondering if anyone would mention Frazier being as he gave Ali his first loss.. I realize that's not prime Ali but Frazier beat a better Ali than anyone else did. Louis, Frazier, Tyson. Not sure any can do it, not sure it can be done but in all honesty those are the 3 that came to mind.
I may be biased, but I tend to think that with the exception of Holmes, the superheavies have the best chance of beating him. And depending on how you define superheavyweights, both Ali and Holmes were both pretty close to superheavyweights themselves.
John L. Sullivan would turn the trick. A mighty man was he. A single punch from the great John L. from any other man is three.
A 88 Tyson would kill Ali from the Frazier fights. But Ali from 66´would be a hard fight for both. But Tyson had the speed to hit him and the Power to knock him out. Maybe a Decission win for Ali or a KO victory for Tyson
Footwork is everything to cutting the ring on a prime Ali and getting the punches to land. I don't really see anybody with footwork sufficient to close the distance unless Ali wanted to engage with them. A KO imho is not likely. Probably the superheavies with reach advantage would have a chance of outpointing him. At some stage or aother Ali has to come in range to land his own.