1973 Muhammad Ali v 1976 Top 5 contenders.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Stevie G, May 30, 2026.


  1. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Must be the sunshine! Let's say the Ali of the second Norton fight v top 5 heavyweights of 1976,
     
  2. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    You'd be talking basically Norton, Frazier, Young, Foreman and Lyle. Obviously he beat Norton, he also beat Foreman a year later in 74, he beat Frazier in 74 and 75, he stopped Lyle in 75 and a terrible version got by Young in 76, albeit with a bit of controversy.

    It answers itself. The only argument is did Foreman learn enough from his 74 loss to win in 76. That would be long long odds given how well Ali handled him in 74.
     
  3. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I agree. A more hesitant 1976 model of Foreman gets outboxed comprehensively in ring centre.
     
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  4. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Yep.
     
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  5. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Shame it never happened mate, but yes it's another win for Ali.
    I think George would still have the memory of Zaire in his head tbh.
     
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  6. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yeah,George was haunted by that for many years.
     
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  7. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic War for Souls Full Member

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    Didn't Ali beat everyone (except one) on Ring Magazine's Top 10 list in 1964 and 1974?
     
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  8. KidGalahad

    KidGalahad Member Full Member

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    Even more stressing would be the realization that Ali had gotten 1 year younger after Zaire (73 Ali), while he himself had gotten 2 years older.
     
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