Would Dempsey have been the hardest fight of Ali’s career in the 60s?

Quite possibly, yes. I’ve often been a big critic of Dempsey and have professed in the past that he’s overrated. But the man had undeniable power in both hands and was pretty quick. He had a tremendous two fisted attack and his left hook was lethal. At the end of the day Ali wins decisively in my opinion. But I can’t see Dempsey doing any worse than Ernie Terrell, Patterson, Williams, Folley, chuvalo or old Liston

 

On paper it'd still be Liston. Most likely though Dempsey does a better job then Liston. Just looking at what Liston, Mildenberger or Terrell did Dempsey should beat the curve.

 

Liston was better than Dempsey by quite a ways.

Jack was good against dirigibles with cement feet. That ain't quite Clay/Ali.

 

Cus D'Amato didn't think so when he was discussing this fight with Ali in regards to how Ali would match up vs Dempsey....

He said Dempsey's style would be ineffective vs Ali because of the way Dempsey leans forward. Ali would pepper him with the jab all night long and Dempsey would never be in position to catch Ali.

Cus D'Amato was a very knowledgeable man on the sport of boxing so I'd go along with his opinion and also based on my own opinion in regards to the eye test of both fighters.

 

If the fight lasted the whole night Dempsey would still probably beat the field of Alis 60s opponents here. Going the distance and winning like 3-4 rounds(of 15) is all thats needed here. He doesn't need to come very close to winning.

If Foreman pushed through and lasted the whole night in 1974 he'd have probably won this challenge as well. The bar is not very high.

 

Absolutely not.

 

In what way was Foreman going to last the whole 15 when his head was being turned into a bobble head and Ali was in no danger of being stopped all night?

 

Hi Buddy.
Sorry, but do not understand a word of your post, that's pretty unique after six years on the forum, or I am at the early stages of dementia.
stay safe buddy, chat soon.
Mike.

 

I would rate Dempsey the best out of them.
I still believe Liston was in his 40's when he fought Ali.

 

It they met prior to the Liston fight, then yes. Dempsey was better, more fierce, and harder hitting than the likes of Cooper, Jones, Banks, etc. Dempsey's explosive fast starting from round 1, body shots, head movement, quick feet, and left hook would make for an incredible style clash that would force Ali to do his absolute best to win.

But if he met the more seasoned Ali who had just finished filleting Folley in 67, Ali has a significantly better time dealing with Dempsey. The bouts with the slightly similar quick-handed Patterson and the equally ferocious Liston gave Ali much-needed confidence and experience against world class guys who can crack. Not that it'd be easy, but I would pick Ali to win a more clear and comfortable decision had he fought Dempsey just before the exile. Against a younger, brash, inexperienced Ali, Dempsey would have a bigger chance of pulling an upset.

 

Pardon but I don't get this at all.
Going the distance and winning 3-4 rounds is all that's needed?

 

To "be the hardest fight of Alis career in the 60s".

Is not going the distance and winning 3-4 rounds all thats needed here?

 

Winning 3-4 rounds is not going to win you a 15 rounds fight tho,is it?

 

Yes but it would be the hardest fight Ali had in the 60s. At least at the title level. And thats what the thread is titled?