Who beats Ali? No hedging your bets, who do YOU pick to straight up beat him?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by McGrain, Dec 15, 2008.

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  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    It's fine if you see it close, but only name the men you think would do the job, who would beat Muhammad Ali, primed version, Novemeber 1966-March 1967?
     
    McGrain, Dec 15, 2008
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  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I'll go first. I pick Joe Louis to beat him, nobody else. Muhammad Ali is my pick for head to head #1 at HW.
     
    McGrain, Dec 15, 2008
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  3. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I don't think any heavyweight beats THAT version of Ali truthfully.
     
    mr. magoo, Dec 15, 2008
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  4. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Definitely NOT Louis.

    I might favor Larry Holmes.
     
    Sweet Pea, Dec 15, 2008
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  5. pryorgatti

    pryorgatti Active Member Full Member

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    Holmes
    Tyson
     
    pryorgatti, Dec 15, 2008
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  6. Holmes' Jab

    Holmes' Jab Master Jabber Full Member

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    No-one has an edge against the 60's version.
     
    Holmes' Jab, Dec 15, 2008
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  7. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Wow.

    Do you have any other fighter as dominant in any other weight class, and where do you rate Ali pound for pound? Same question for Holmes' Jab.
     
    McGrain, Dec 15, 2008
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  8. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    How about Bowe?
     
    McGrain, Dec 15, 2008
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  9. jc

    jc Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ali on his best day vs Louis on his best day, ali wins 10 times out of 10.
     
    jc, Dec 15, 2008
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  10. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    At his best no one imo.
     
    mcvey, Dec 15, 2008
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  11. Sweet Pea

    Sweet Pea Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Stylistically that could be interesting, but Ali was the better out-boxer, and his superior movement should see him to a points win in a competitive bout, similar to how Evander was able to have success on the outside in the second fight.
     
    Sweet Pea, Dec 15, 2008
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  12. natonic

    natonic Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Nobody beats the mid 66-67 version of Ali.
     
    natonic, Dec 15, 2008
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  13. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I don't know about pound for pound, but I really wouldn't favor any single heavyweight beating an absolute peak Ali. I think from 1966-67, Ali beats all the swarmers, Frazier, Marciano, Tyson, etc. I think he beats any great fighter before his time, Marciano, Louis, Dempsey, Johnson, etc. I think he manages to out point and out wit many of your future champs, Holmes, Holyfield, etc. He might struggle with some of the giants, but manages to out box them, Bowe, Lewis, Klitschko bros, etc.

    Does this mean it would actually happen? No. Nobody is invincible and that includes Muhammad Ali. But he emerged as the best heavyweight in the most competitive era in heavyweight boxing, and did so past his prime. I think at his peak, he may have accomplished some never before seen things.....
     
    mr. magoo, Dec 15, 2008
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  14. round15

    round15 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It's hard to pick any heavyweight in history that would keep up with the prime late 1960's version of Ali. I think Frazier could catch him and possibly hurt him en route to a close unanimous decision victory. The only other heavyweights that probably beat this version of Ali are Larry Holmes, Joe Louis and maybe 1985 - 1987 Mike Tyson.
     
    round15, Dec 15, 2008
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  15. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think the swarmer style was the best style to beat a prime Ali.
    I give Fraizer, Marciano, maybe Dempsey a good shot in beating Ali. Ali never face a swarmer before 71.

    Dont think the puncher boxings like Louis would fair well. I dont think Tyson would keep up the flow after a few rounds, and I pretty sure Johnson would lose in a 12 or 15 rounder vs Ali.
     
    Dempsey1238, Dec 15, 2008
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