How good was the Ali between Thrilla and Spinks 1?

I agree that Young and Norton (third fight) were very unlucky but I have studied the Shavers bout intensely and always have Muhammad taking it,albeit closely.

 

His last great performance was the Thrilla in Manilla, in my opinion. That fight seemed to take a lot out of both men. He was lucky to get the decisions against Norton and Young. The Shavers fight was also competitive but he legitimately won that decision. Spinks caught him at absolutely the right time. The 76-78 Ali was quite degraded.

 

I don't think that he actually took too much physical punishment in his fight with Foreman but I do think that he lost a lot of his hunger after that one. This was a major factor in his decline.

 

Still had something left but not the same fighter. I would extend this to Spinks 2 actually.

 

He got himself into a tip top shape for this one, but you could still see a big decline. Reflexes weren't there, timing wasn't there, speed wasn't there. He won that fight off of his (diminished) skills, ring IQ and guts alone.

 

I know I was just saying I group them all together roughly.