Ali from the Foreman fight vs the best version of Holyfield

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Holmes77, Jul 28, 2022.


  1. Holmes77

    Holmes77 Member Full Member

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    How does this go? I’m picking Ali- but not sure exactly how it would go.
     
  2. slash

    slash Boxing Junkie Full Member

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  3. Holmes77

    Holmes77 Member Full Member

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    That version of Ali was very crafty and had all the tools. May not been as fast as a 60’s Ali but the experience makes up for that. He was motivated in that fight. I just don’t see Holyfield being able to cope with that.
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2022
  4. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I think Ali takes a decision. It doesn’t look pretty but he still had enough movement, durability, output and stamina to pull it off.
     
  5. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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  6. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    +1
     
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  7. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Hot Take

    Holyfield loses to prime Ali but beats 70s Ali
     
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  8. Toney F*** U

    Toney F*** U Boxing junkie Full Member

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    Holyfield wins, the peak version of him was too well rounded and even faster than Zaire Ali.
     
  9. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ali. The 1974 version,while not as fast as 1960s incarnation,is still very...very fast for a heavyweight of 212-217 lbs and his craftiness,toughness and improvisational gifts are enough to beat Holyfield. Probably by UD,though I would n't rule out a late stoppage.
     
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  10. META5

    META5 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Here here.

    He was quicker, smarter and still had a better sense of timing moments to capture the judges' eyes than Holyfield.

    Holyfield gives Ali nightmares as he can replicate Norton but has more facets. However, I find Holyfield too much of a warrior and too ill-disciplined to trouble the Kinshasa Ali. Foreman's apparent stupidity makes a lot of people overlook how capable Ali was that night. He was in excellent condition, mentally, physically, spiritually and motivationally - would take a lot to beat the man!
     
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  11. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Excellent post,mate! Yes the shape Muhammad was in for Norton 2,Frazier 2 and Foreman was simply awesome. Such a pity that he did n't maintain that spartan condition in a few more of his seventies bouts. He would have won a few more fights more convincingly than he actually did.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2022
  12. META5

    META5 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Yeah - well - he was never out of shape in his first career; after dealing with the exile, FOTC, Norton I and II, Frazier II and Foreman, with the women, fame, age and his appetite, it's somewhat understandable that he let his standards go, especially surrounded by lots of yes men. If he trained better and didn't fool around in the ring, shipping punches to the body for no reason, getting punched trying to rope a dope, long after it was necessary, then yeah, better fights, better fight record and possibly better delay of Parkinson's symptoms.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2022
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  13. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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  14. steve1990

    steve1990 Active Member Full Member

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    Ali wins a hard-fought decision.
     
  15. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Holyfield ain't beating that version of Ali, Holyfield edged out a 42 year old Foreman , not the monster that Ali slayed.
     
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