Which Muhammad Ali are we talking about? The peak Ali from 1964-1967, or the average quick Ali from the 1970's? The peak or prime Ali would have done the Ali Shuffle, would have ran circles around that Rest Home resident Luis Ortiz, who would not be able to catch his breath. Ali would not however make the same mistake that he did in June 1963 against Henry Cooper by toying with him but doing what he did to Cooper in the rematch on May 21 1966, Ortiz is no Doug Jones either. As Luis is tired from running after Ali, Ali begins to tag him with the straight right hand that undid another southpaw Karl Mildenberger in Sept 1966. Muhammad Ali stops Ortiz in round 8, after that southpaw killer right hand has Ortiz wobbly in the corner. The 1970's version of Ali would have had some difficulty against Luis, as Ali was more vulnerable, did not have the physical attributes that he possessed in his first title reign, or his desire to training as he had during 1964-1967.
There’s a breaking point somewhere in the 70s where a prime Luis Ortiz would beat the **** of Ali. I’m not sure exactly which year. Ali at his best would have too much foot speed for Ortiz and not give enough countering opportunities.
I'm not sure where that would be, either. For as bad as Ali looked in some of his later fights, compared to how he'd looked in the 1960s, none of the top heavys of the 70s could dominate him, and most couldn't beat him ... even when he looked bad and could care less and they were training for the biggest fights of their careers.
1978 wouldn't go well for him. Before that, it's not easy to say since neither has any reference point. But Ortiz was much better in the early 2010s than now.
But all due respect, Muhammad Ali was not ancient in his peak years, 1964-1967, but I have to admit, in the 1970's, Luis stands a real good chance, because Ali could not float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Ali in the 1960's was not flabby like today's fighters who are bucking for a major coronary later in life, and a fighter who is floating around you causes breathing problems, it is a big strain on the heart, especially if that fighter is not doing the Rope A Dope, and has unending stamina.
This one was discussed just before Ali entered the Olympics. He turned down, stating: "What credit would I get for beating such an old guy". I think he knew he was in for a beating.
Ali vs. Ortiz in the 60s...Who knows? Ali never fought anybody similar to the 6-4, 240 pound southpaw Ortiz. Ali should be given credit because in the 60s he did fight Mildenberger, the first southpaw to ever get to fight for the title. Ali had more problems than most anticipated with Mildenberger who was not nearly as big, strong, and powerful as Ortiz. Ali usually had a size advantage, he wouldn't have that with Ortiz. Ortiz is big, strong, highly skilled, and a southpaw. A tough fight for anybody. I wouldn't bet on the fight either way. This content is protected
Ernie Terrell was 6"6 in Feb 1967, he did look rather clumsy, but unlike Ortiz , he did not escape from the local Rest Home. Extra weight indicates Steroid use, no one is built like these fighters of today unless they feasted on lots of Organic man made vegetables, or magical injections as seen in the Rocky movie with Drago.
Ali through 1975 would clearly dominate Ortiz. After Manilla, he declined a significant amount each year. I think the first year that Ali might lose would be 1977. That one could go either way, although I could not predict Ortiz would do better than Shavers did in late 1977.
