Smallest fighter you favour to beat 78 Ali-

Roy Jones Jr, easy

 

Michael Spinks easy

 

Maybe Billy Conn.

 

Dwight Qawi would crucify a 1978 Ali.

 

Harry Greb, maybe Sam Langford or Bob Fitzsimmons as well. I like Qawi mention too.

 

Byrd, Haye, Roy Jones Jr.

 

Qawi is a good shout, the rest not so much.
Fitzsimmons ain't got a prayer of a chance.

 

What's old Ali chance against Greb? He'd have to stop him, because he wouldn't outwork him and Greb had iron chin.

I'm not sure I'd bet on him (Ali still had strong jab and Fitz didn't like jabbers) but he was crafty, hard hitting and unorthodox. He definitely woule have a chance.

I'd like to see peak Archie Moore against Ali - similar concerns like in Bob case, but Moore had likely a higher workrate.

 

Ali will keep him at bay with his jab and tie him up if he gets close. Neither was a big puncher, but Ali still hits harder due to being an actual HW.

I'd even bet on the 1980 Ali (that lost to Holmes) to beat Fitzsimmons, let alone the 78 one. Fitzsimmons won't lay a single glove on him.

Now that's a good example. Moore was a great boxer and in prime form he definitely stands a good chance against 78 Ali

 

Ricardo Lopez easy

 

Joe Calzaghe and Andre Ward.

 

Well in my H2H list I have Lewis 1 and Ali 2, so I would favour no one other than Lewis over Ali in history, people don't seem to rate Lewis as highly as he should be, people say he's chinny, but he's not, he took all of Vitali Klitschko's best punches and when he was up for it like in the Rahman rematch or Michael Grant, I favour him to beat anyone
So Lewis is the smallest fighter that I's favour to beat Ali, because he's the only fighter I'd favour to beat Ali, I won't mention any active fighters, it's best to wait 'till they've retired to make a judgment

 

The discussion here is '78 Ali.