Which 3 fights did post exile Ali look best in?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by dmt, Apr 24, 2026.

  1. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    1. Foreman - without a shadow of a doubt. Was in tremendous shape for this one. You have to be to absorb that kind of body shots. His lead right hand snapped Foreman's head back viciously. The combination punching was exceptional.

    2. Bugner 1 - some will disagree. Obviously beating Bugner is not as impressive as beating Frazier of Norton. But in terms of how good he looked, how quick his feet and hands looked, how good his left hook was, how well he fought off the front foot - i rate this super high.

    3. Frazier 2 - he had Joe hurt in round 2. He looked great. Smart boxing.
     
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  2. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Surprised you don't have Norton 2 for me that was Ali at his sharpest in the 70s IMO.

    Ali had the constant movement, sharp with punches, good stamina.

    For me I'd say....

    Norton 2
    Foreman
    Quarry 2

    Ali held too much for my liking in the 2nd Frazier fight so I don't rate that quite as highly.
     
  3. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ali looked really sharp in his first fight after his exile against Quarry (1).
     
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  4. slash

    slash Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think I'll have to watch Ali-Norton II this weekend.
     
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  5. DS Phil Hunter

    DS Phil Hunter Active Member Full Member

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    In regards to performances I felt he looked his most aggressive against Bob Foster in 1972. He was in his best condition physically in his rematches with Norton in 1973 and Frazier in 1974 he needed to rectify the losses and trained harder than he had ever done previously in his career similarly with his rematch against Spinks in 1978 he sparred and ran more than he had in years although his skills had eroded at that point.

    My picks are

    Foster (1972)
    Norton 2 (1973)
    Frazier 2 (1974)
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2026
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  6. Steve Fero

    Steve Fero Active Member Full Member

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    He almost looked like the younger dancing Ali in fight after the 1st Frazier fight against Jimmy Ellis. He was the heavier stronger Ali at 220 but was still a young man and showed flashes of his old speed and elan. Was like he finally knocked all the rust off.
     
  7. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    These were my picks as well.
     
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  8. Usyk is the best

    Usyk is the best Active Member Full Member

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    This

    Quarry 2 was very impressive performance
     
  9. DS Phil Hunter

    DS Phil Hunter Active Member Full Member

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    He really toughed it out against Oscar Bonavena in his next fight after that. It's also quite an underated performance.
     
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  10. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    1. Quarry 2
    2. Norton 2
    3. Bugner 2
     
  11. jeevacation

    jeevacation My fav active fighter is Ebonie Cotton. banned Full Member

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    He had Ray Robinson s trainer for that one and would have kept him for his untimely death.
     
  12. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 OFFICIAL THREAD DIDDLER banned Full Member

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    Jimmy Ellis, Quarry 1 and Quarry 2.