What year was Ali's 70's peak ?

Success was 74 ... physical definitely 72. Excellent question by the way ...

 

'74 at age 32, Ali was peaked for a 30 something athlete.... His decision over Frazier and his KO of Foreman showed the world that Ali was back in fine form... Also, Ali was weighing 214 to 216 for them epic fights of 1974... Ali would never dip down that low ever again... By 1975 and against Chuck Wepner, Ali was over 220 pounds, but still the man...

MR.BILL:bbb:deal

 

Ali was prolly in his best comeback shape in Sept. '73 at age 31 and 212 pounds for the rematch with Norton in Los Angeles... However, many will point out that since Norton's style troubled Ali greatly he was not at his best... That's bull**** right there... Ali was in tip-top form for Norton out west in Los Angeles... He was peaked there, as well.......

MR.BILLbbb

 

Ali was very good against Bugner the first time too.

 

I like Joe Bugner as much as anyone, but I also know that "The Bugman" was made-to-order for Ali like a fresh plate of fish and chips... Ali could always outbox Joe Bugner whether in peak form or not... Joe Bugner was tough and persistant in his fights with Ali, but never ahead on the cards... Ali could always tame that lion...

MR.BILL:hat

 

1973

 

what he hell? earlier you just said that because norton gave Ali trouble in the second fight that he might not have peaked, and now you say that Joe bugner wasn't a good opponent and Ali might not have peaked?
Anyways Joe WAS a good fighter, but you're right, Ali would have always beaten him.

 

Yeah, Joe Bugner was good... But I never felt he was destined to be the champ of the globe... I'm not sure I'd rate Joe Bugner as a top-5 contender in the early to middle 1970s, but he does make my top-10 for that period...

"The Bugman" always fell short when pitted against the truly elite... Just like Jerry Quarry... Good guys / blokes, but never the elite of the division...

I never saw Bug's fights against Ernesto Shavers or against Bones Smith when both dude's were way past it....

MR.BILL

 

I think Ali beating Norton in the 2nd fight is Ali's best fight alongside the Foreman fight - people say Liston but to be honest I don't think either of those fights were on the level anyway so - it's difficult to say what would've happened with a young Ali in there against a top top opponent - and one who was really and truely fighting him and trying to beat him - unfortunately there's question marks for me against most all prime (60's) Ali's fights for one reason or another - but with Norton there was no p1$$1ng about - he was coming for Ali and he wasn't going to walk to anyone's tune - Ali looked a million dollars in that one IMO - he looked physically in fantastic condition and he really needed to be too.

 

It has been 30 years now since Holmes beat the **** outta the ghost of Ali in October of 1980 out in Vegas.....

MR.BILL

 

He looked superb against Quarry in '72.

 

bugner's fight against shavers was short and brutal...shavers drops him hard then inflicts a nasty cut for the TKO in the second round..bugner never had a chance. i dont think i even want to see the bugner-bonecrusher fight lol