What if Muhammad Ali had retired for good in 1975 ?

1978 was the best time for him to retire for his legacy. but 1975 would have been best for his health

 

George Foreman's 90's late 80's/90's career may never happened,as he would probably have been the third man in history to have regained the heavyweight crown,in 1976,thus giving him more of a sense of fulfillment.

 

Could n't resist reviving this one. My first ever post on this forum back in 2009. Nostalgia rules!

 

I'd pick Foreman before the Ali loss to beat Holmes. Holmes was no Ali.

 

Prime Holmes beats prime Foreman,imo. Not witrhout picking himself off the canvas courtesy of George's right hands though.

 

Me too, Foreman would have been stopped in 10.

George couldn't have intimidated Holmes, nor pushed/bullied him around. In fact, George would have been even less capable of muscling around Larry than he did Ali. These two points alone would have been crippling for Champ Foreman.

Larry also was nearly as good at tying up punchers as Ali, and was quite capable of taking George into deeper waters (which is exactly where Foreman didn't like to go in the first part of the 70s).

 

Dr. Pacheco said it would have prolonged his life if he'd quit then, quality and quantity .

 

Didn't realise you'd been around so long, Stevie!
Your a veteran!

 

Yep agree here, with my man rules

 

Oh yes! Time flies mate.

 

Definitely, pal.
The older we get, the more it seems to whizz past.

 

I think it would have been great if Ali made the Thrilla in Manila as his farewell fight and passed his throne to Larry Holmes. Sort of like a Floyd and Tank kind of deal. As Leon Spinks said, "Muhammad Ali is the greatest, but today I'm the latest". I think that fits Larry more

 

I like that but Holmes was n't yet a major player at the time of Manila '75. He rose to contention three years later when he beat Earnie Shavers in their first bout. Larry was the best heavyweight since Muhammad,definitely.

 

by 1976 was only the third or fourth best heavy behind Young, Norton, & Foreman

Had he retired in 75, would have lived out his life much more comfortably and probably still be with us today

 

It would of been much better for his legacy and health, i personally think retiring after the 3rd fight with Frazier would of been perfect. Then he doesn't have the controversial decisions vs Norton, Young, Shavers, and the loss to Spinks which hurt his legacy somewhat.