I don't know. Holyfield took punishment from Bowe, Lewis, Tyson, Cooper and Mercer. All arguably harder punchers than Ali. Bowe stopped him when he was sick.
I don't know if the Liston stoppage was on the level. For him to stop Prime Holyfield, I would have to see it to believe it
Ali had had a lot of difficulty three months previously with Bonavena who is several levels below the Holyfield who beat Douglas. Judging by the gut I saw him sporting in the February of 71, a month prior to FotC (must find that picture if I'm basing so much of my argument around it), Ali hadn't spent the interim time in the gym. Ali's performance was amazing under the circumstances and showed his unmatched will to win but I don't think there was any version of Ali who beats 1990 Evander and 'it's not close'. And certainly not 1971 Ali, imo
Found it and wonder if I may have not remembered correctly. This may just be his stomach's natural curve. I thought it was a gut first time I saw it, now I'm less sure. What do folk think? https://www.npr.org/sections/pictur...717/today-in-history-the-fight-of-the-century
Ali was very much out of shape during the exile. https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-5a68ce5fdd1196d3cc1df23cdc383525-lq
Ali of 71 didn’t seem to have the sharpness, speed or stamina that the Ali of 64-67 and 72-74 had. He appeared rusty, even before the Frazier fight. I got Holyfield by decision, taking control of the latter half of the bout.
Bloody hell. He's a big bloke. Dundee said he got 'husky' when he wasn't fighting, referring to his extra pounds. Do you reckon that's a gut in the pic I posted? I've used it as evidence that FotC Ali may not have had the best prep in other posts on other threads, given that this was February when it was taken so five weeks max till fight night.
I think Holyfield was incredibly good at getting guys to slug with him through cheap macho tricks, Ali would have been too clever to stay still and got the win. Though I imagine that Holyfield would have done some real damage to him.
I actually honestly think - brace yourself - that Holmes beat Holyfield* , so I'm certainly favoring slightly past prime Ali. *However I think Holmes pretty clearly (if narrowly) lost to McCall and Carl Williams.
That "Prime" Holyfield struggled with Grandpa's Holmes and Foreman..................Ali aint gonna brawl, he will box and win a clear UD.
Ali from 1966 to 1974 beat any version of Holyfield if he's at peak condition which I'm sure he'd be with such a serious challenge as Holyfield looming. The degree of his victories would be the difference, from unanimous dec from 1966 to 72, to split decision wins from 1972 to 1974. The only reason Holyfield beat 42 yr old Larry Holmes was his work rate. He didn't overwhelm Holmes by his skill level. He outworked the much older fighter with his youthfulness. Ali from 70 to 74 was still the greatest heavyweight in the history of boxing, and would've been more than a match for any heavyweight in history when he was in peak physical condition . I just don't see any version of Holyfield beating Ali at or close to his best.
Sorry been quite busy with college, but looking at it, it does look like he has a bit of a belly. His face also looks a bit chubby which only reaffirms my opinion.