We know which version of Buster We pick to go in to battle.. But at what point in Ali's career do you confidently say.. Douglas could beat THAT Muhammad??
Not just the Tyson fight Douglas was equally impressive vs Williams in which he knocked down his opponent 3 times with a jab. Any version of Douglas between 88-90 when he went on his undefeated streak with the best wins of his career. Would be problematic for any version of Ali in the 70s quite honestly. Douglas would be the biggest world class opponent Ali has ever fought and Douglas has a staggering 83 inch reach. I would favour a prime Douglas over any version of Ali between 75-81. I'm not sure Ali's rope a dope vs Foreman in 74 would be that successful vs Douglas either. I think the Ali that fought vs Norton in their 2nd fight in 73 when he was sharp for all 12 rounds. Is the latest point in Ali's career that I'd be most confident in picking Ali over a motivated Douglas.
I'm not sure Swag the thing is Ali sat on ropes vs Foreman and I don't think it would be successful vs Douglas even though Foreman is a greater fighter it's about styles. Foreman was a wrecking machine and his sole purpose was to go out there and destroy Ali. So Ali could use his incredible durability and unique defensive style along the ropes to wear out Foreman. Douglas on the other hand would just keep his poise and keep jabbing Ali at distance with his immense 83 inch reach. So Ali wouldn't be able to use that tactic and since Ali didn't have his legs anymore that worries me. I think Ali would need his legs/movement to beat Douglas and I think the last time I see Ali really sharp with his movement/legs was in 73.
As per consensus I'm going with post-Manila incarnation of Muhammad losing to Buster,Fergy. Anytime up to that point Muhammad wins.
We'll have to respectfully disagree. I think Ali still had his legs in '74 but realized using them wasn't a vital strategy against Foreman which is why he resorted to the rope a dope. I think his legs were fine up to Manila, at the earliest but most definitely seriously deteriorated since the debacle with Inoki.
Yep Stevie agree. Ali after The thrilla, as we know mate, was slipping. How the hell he hung on in there against Kenny Norton and Shavers at that point, showed he still had the heart to take sickening shots and come back.