Muhammad Ali (Zaire) vs prime Jersey Joe Walcott

Levels...

 

“Ali bomaye”

 

I mean, Walcott was on a higher level than Ken Norton...

 

Norton was also on a higher level at heavyweight than Joey Maxim. Much higher.

 

Ken presented different set of problems that Joe would've offered.

Good tactical fight. Muhammad would have had the edge in speed while JJ was a harder puncher. Both men brilliant boxers but Muhammad of '74 was on a different level.

Ali via late rounds technical knockout.

 

Ali survives a rough night dealing with Walcott's bag of tricks and grabs an UD.

 

Exactly as I see it! Walcott would give Ali a tough fight--but Ali's grit and overall skillset would be the difference. A close but unanimous UD.

 

Not even in the same league.

 

Was Norton a journeyman?

 

Do you think SuperDome Ali beats him?

 

I went with Ali on points. Seems like the safest bet

 

No. Superdome Ali was still crafty and cagey but a hell of a lot slower than Zaire incarnation of Muhammad.

 

Are we talking about 1930s Walcott here or the best version that cleared the division?

 

A man that Walcott beat twice immediately after losing to?
Wonder how Norton crossing paths with an Elmer Ray, Louis or Marciano would play out?
(Not really, we all know exactly how that'd go).