Which fight do you think Ali was his best in? My personal favorite is Liston in 64. He was so fast and slippery. Liston could not even touch him until the unknown substance got into Ali's eyes.
But Cleveland Williams was at his worst, still recovering from a gun-shot wound, and his legs were still weakened. Cleveland was not ready for that fight yet. I think versus Zora Folley, may have been a better Muhammad Ali.
He got hit a few times in that fight but I don't think he was really trying that hard. When he faced Terell he was beast.
Liston 1 was a great fight for Ali although Liston looked very bad. I would have to say FOTC but that was a losing effort. For fighting Goliath I would have to say George Foreman, even though the green Foreman was really beatable, It was Ali and Dundee that knew how to beat him and executed
I respect this. In that fight, Ali developed more power, moved well, and fought effectively until Frazier's body punches wore him down. It would be really interesting to see the 1971 version of Ali against Sonny Liston.
He looked best in the footage I saw against a punching bag circa '67. They even took the time to name the bag. They called it "Big Cat" or something like that. As far as actual worthy opponents go, it's difficult to top the Terrell schooling.
Hard to say - Ali who fought Williams or Foley couldn't have done a Rumble in the jungle or Thrilla in manilla. As far as skills, reflexes, generalship and finesse goes. 1. Williams 2. Foley 3. Terrell
People tend to say Williams I think his best is by far Liston 1. He needed to be his best on that night, and he was. He made one of the greatest in history look bad without knocking him out.
Patterson I and Terrell, I'd say. He were at the peak of his physical powers and in excellent shape mentally and physically.