Fighters who could knock Ali out

Nobody ever did this, so I would never make a prediction that somebody would do it.

I like to make as few assumptions as possible in my predictions.

However, I have been challenged, so I will give my candidates.

Obviously only the acme of finishers are in the argument.

They would have to be more dangerous finishers than Liston, Frazier, Foreman, and Shavers.

Sam Langford - This pick will raise a few eyebrows, but if you know, then you know.

Jack Dempsey - Absolutely terrifying finisher.

Joe Louis - Probably the greatest finisher in history.

Joe Frazier - If things had gone slightly differently, then who knows?

Mike Tyson - No explanation needed.

Honorable mention, John L Sullivan (assuming that he was the monster that contemporaries said he was).

 

A guy survives early in career and late
Liston
Frazier
Foreman
Shavers
Cooper
Norton
Holmes
Lyle
Williams
Etc and people still question his chin???

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Well I think you misunderstood, personally. The OP said Ali had a great chin, yes, but his (or her) question was who 'iyo could KO Ali'. Part of the reason why he was never KOed was his defense and ability to avoid or ride shots.

So the ability to land the shot to trouble that chin is very much part of the question, as I (and numerous other posters) see it. So, my answer to the question might be Tyson as he had the style that, if any, Ali could struggle against. He was quick enough to narrow down Ali's usual huge speed advantage and had enough power to make the most of any opportunities. He might not hit as hard as other big hitting heavies but he was better at making slightly lesser shots land cleanly.

I don't think Tyson would stop him, as it happens. But he may have the best shot at it.

 

Oh I agree completely. It's unlikely any fighter stops him, he basically fought everyone

 

He didn't fight Joe Louis or Mike Tyson.

 

I know, that was worded kind of poorly, but the point being, he fought some historically significant KO machines and no one could do it.

 

No.

 

He took the best shots of Shavers, Liston, and Foreman...nope.

He probably took more flush shots from a totally prime Holmes than anyone else, and he was still standing at the end.

 

Explosive left hooks were Ali's weakness

Tyson has the best chance

 

I agree. Lewis went 24 rounds with Evander Holyfield and didn't knock him down and Holyfield was 37 at the time (not that Lewis was a spring chicken himself) so I don't think it's likely that he drops Ali never mind knocks him out.

 

Well- We seen power fail. Shavers, Lyle and Foreman landed enough to tell us the answer. Frazier had power, he beat Ali's body like a drum so, so bad and landed plenty for 15 rounds straight. Not a scratch on that granite chin of his he was sat down for what 4 seconds? breathing heavy.
So you can't outlast and maul him. I think Tyson has the best chance to stop him with something early, Ali had a habit of assuming he was gonna be okay whatever he did and worked on the fly a lot. I think If Mike catches Ali sleep walking he could MAYBE dent Ali's diamond chin.

 

If Bowe got inside I can see it happening with some refs.

 

Cause they lacked the speed and accuracy Tyson and Louis posessed.

 

Shavers had him hurt, but threw just 1 hard right hand and didn't follow up.
Liston and Foreman did not manage to land the way Shavers did.
Holmes took it easy on him and did not want to hurt Ali. He could have taken him out at any time.

 

Lewis boxed Holyfield, he was cautious and did not try to brawl it out.
He can afford that luxury with Ali, who is not a big puncher.