Ali 1974 vs Joshua of today, who wins?

Just because a man is big, doesn't mean he's a devastating puncher. Weight does count, but technique, timing, and angels are far,far more important. Judging by what I saw the other night from both fighters it's those abilities that are severely lacking in today's fighters,esp heavyweight fighters . Then factor in the stamina issues,( Heavyweight championship caliber fighters gassed by the 5th rd?) Again a sad example of today's fight game.

 

I think Joshua demonstrated that his stamina was very clearly better than George Foreman's was in 1974. He went 11 rounds in a grueling bout to come out the winner. Furthermore, while I don't consider Anthony to be a master of the sweet science by any stretch of the imagination, his skills and fundamentals are a bit more polished than those of Big George in that period. This isn't to say that I'd pick Joshua to beat the Muhammad of Zaire but let's just say it would be a very different kind of fight. As it stands I'm going to refrain from voting on the poll.

 

That's spot on. A few of George's heavy shots got through but not that many. Ali blocked or slipped the majority of them. Muhammad never found Foreman anywhere near the problem that he found in Joe Frazier and Ken Norton.

 

I agree Ali's my hero, but even then Ali wasn't as mobile as what he'd been, he decided pretty early on he couldn't move around all night so he adapted the rope a dope.
Were Foreman's tactics and punching techniques that night sophisticated? He gassed after 5 rounds and simply flailed away madly. It certainly wasn't one of George's best performances he looked befuddled in there.
I'm not sure Joshua would do any worse.

 

Correct. He had his wits about him and was in control of the fight in a few ways. Round by round ali was gaining confidence whilst foreman just looked dejected in his corner and gassing. Frazier and Norton both pushed him and ali probably had moments of a confidence crisis a number of times. As for the ali v Joshua ft.. Can see aj pushing ali and similar to foreman catching him numerous times. But Ali a the master of the long game so, as the fight progresses its muhammad takin control. Aj s still dangerous in the late rounds but ali s now dominating. Aj is dropped a couple of times but makes it to the last round but I see Ali winning the decision.

 

I've always seen something different. Ali having total respect for Foremans power.
It was similar to the Liston fight. Wide eyes, that look that the is fighting for his life.

He wasn't trying to look good. He wasn't trying to make it look easy.
He did this with Frazier. But with Foreman he as more serious and more frightful, in a good way.

As soon as Foreman starts closing the distance, he doesn't try to run, or turn an angle on him at the corner of the ring. As soon as Foreman comes close, Ali braces for the impact, so that he won't get caught trying to escape. It was brilliant.

Ali decades after retiring from boxing only revered one boxer, Foreman.

 

Ali took a few brutal shots to the head.
But he took a wailing to the body.

 

To be fair to Joshua, these comparisons are a little premature when you consider the quality of opposition he's faced so far. He's only 18 fights in and at the rate fighters fight these days It would be a small miracle if he makes to 40 fights and still be a relevant fighter.

To answer the question? Ali from '74 beats him. His hand speed would be pretty difficult to deal with and those right hand leads that caught Foreman off guard would likely pose some degree of problems.

Additionally there is the question of conditioning. I think at this stage, perhaps we can chalk it up to nervous energy, but Joshua was running out of gas early and a good finisher could have gone for the kill and ended things then and there. Granted he got his second wind and was able to find his way to victory, but he was pretty vulnerable at one point.

Lastly, chin. Ali having faced many punchers in his career has shown remarkable durability. IMO the only way to KO Ali is to give him a sustained beating round in and round out over the course of fight before lowering the boom and putting out of there. Its not easy and many great men have tried. AJ on the other hand has shown some vulnerabilities in the chin department (not saying its glass) and therefore we should take that into consideration.

 

Ali would kayo Joshua quicker than Foreman of Zaire. To beat Ali, you need to throw a huge number of punches for 10+ rounds. Poor Joshua was gasping for breadth in round 5.... And it's not as though these SHW throw 30+ punches per round anyway.

it took him at least 3 rounds to recover his senses and breath. As a Brit I like Joshua but any comparisons with proven ATGs like Ali are crazy.

 

Too early to tell but at this point I think AJ is too inexperienced. I think '74 Ali figures him out and handles him fairly easily. I think a decision or late stoppage.

 

Ali had the the skill and technique, to force Joshua into mistakes, and also the physical strength to at the very least to hold his own, thereby controlling the pace of the fight.. Joshua isn't experienced enough to beat an Ali...he might never be

 

What? did you watch A.J. struggle and get dropped by a 41 year old man? Ali would swell his head up like it'd been in a bee hive and long about round 13 when he was out of gas the ref would save Joshua. Come on really? you think a guy with 19 fights will stop a man who Liston, Frazier, Foreman ,Shavers, Lyle , Norton couldn't ?

 

Ali's a special here.

 

Yes I watched Joshua struggle, both men in the ring last Saturday KO any version of Ali and also Clay if he engaged. To make your day even brighter I might as well mention I think Foreman KO's Ali if the fight wasn't fought on the surface of the sun.

 

This post isn't going to do much for you credibility wise. Wow.