What year was Ali's 70's peak ?

`71

 

I'd say 71-74. Whenever he got into good shape during these years he looked quite impressive. He looked at his best in Zaire and in the rematches against Quarry, Norton and Frazier. He was pretty damn sharp in FOTC as well, but gassed quickly - which of course had very, very much to do with Frazier. Other mentions would be the fights against Ellis, Bugner and Chuvalo.

He had some really good perfomances these years, but after Zaire he would never get below 220 (hardly below 225) again, at least without the help of Thyrolar. So I see that fight as the end of his 70's peak, and FOTC or the fight against Ellis as the beginning of it. Manilla was probably even a sharper turning point, though.

 

Yeah, it was alright. But he looked better two years earlier.

But he still had enough left to come in pretty unmotivated in average/poor shape and stop Wepner and Lyle and comfortably beat Bugner. This 8 years after his peak. Puts things into perspective a bit.

 

74 was Ali`s peak year in the 70s IMO.

 

1974 was clearly his best year of that decade. Harry Carpenter wrote that the second match with Frazier was the first bout of his comeback where he truly regained his speed of the 1960s. He was battle ready off the second fight with Norton, where he exerted his legs more than at any other time after exile. (Rudi Lubbers realized a very respectable achievement in remaining on his feet through all 12 rounds with the 217 pound Ali between Norton II and Frazier II. Lubbers would become the lightest opponent to last the limit with Muhammad after Doug Jones in March 1963.)

Ali had a great 1975, but he seemed to be on a different level when 220 and under. While he could be strong and durable above that weight, I do think anything over 220 was less than optimal for him.

 

i honestly think he was the best in the first 5 rounds of Frazier I.

 

You ****ing stupid Frazier-loving ****, Ali was beyond washed-up vs. Frazier, although he did magically recover to peak several years later.

/ESB Ali nuthugging culture

 

I really don't think so. He had 2 tune up fights before, one of which was a KO of a fighter who had never been stopped before in Bonavena. His timing and judge of distance were pretty good to me. I think when people are thinking ring rust of post-prime Ali they are only considering his legs. In this fight he sat down on his punches and threw accurately against a hard to hit frazier. His 1, 2 and combinations were sharp and precise. He was clinching on the inside and mauling properly using his underrated body strength.

I think people expected him to dance away against Frazier like in the 60's. He would never have won that way, IMO. Frazier applied some of the most consistent and intelligent cutting of the ring and pressure to ever grace the division. You cannot escape from a fighter like that for 15. You will be caught and killed.

I think that it's possible to show one of your best performances in a loss, draw, or close decision, and this fight is part of the reason why.

As much as there is a lot of hyperbole surrounding Ali, the man ****ing deserves it. He proved himself time and time and time and time again. I dislike Ali. I dislike his style. I dislike his mouth, and his attitude toward his opposition. But I cannot dispute that he arguably has the best claim for greatest heavyweight ever.

 

I wouldn't. Ali was a huge dick to him. I wouldnt want to be friends with some ******* that publicly assassinated me over a ****ing sporting event.